Dr Kym Perry1, Dr Kate Muirhead2, Ms Nicole Fechner1

1University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, 2South Australian Research and Development Institute, Adelaide, Australia

Biography:

Dr Kym Perry is a research fellow at the University of Adelaide. His research focuses on invertebrate ecology within cropping systems of southern Australia. He currently leads several national GRDC investments investigating the biology and management of invasive Mediterranean snails in grains crops.

Abstract:

The parasitoid fly, Sarcophaga villeneuveana, was introduced to South Australia 20 years ago as a biocontrol agent targeting invasive conical snails, which are major pests of grain crops. While average parasitism levels were low (< 2 %) across its established range, recent studies found evidence for higher parasitism levels (> 30-40%) near native vegetation with floral resources available to flies during their active period in spring and summer. This study is investigating whether parasitism performance of Sarcophaga villeneuveana can be boosted using revegetation to provide suitable floral food resources for flies in the local environment. We designed a mix of native plant species endemic to the target region on Yorke Peninsula with suitable floral characteristics and flowering periods. Between 2022 and 2024, six plantings (150m x 12m) were established adjacent to cropping fields in the target region, using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) ecological design. Parasitoid flies are being mass-reared and released at each site, both at the plantings (Impact) and at a control site without vegetation at least 500m distance away (Control). Parasitism levels were assessed before impact and are being assessed over time after impact as plantings mature to determine the effect of floral resources on parasitism levels and pest snail populations. Our findings will have broader implications for biodiversity conservation and biocontrol within agricultural ecosystems.