Neumann, G., O'Dowd, D.J, & Green, P.T. 2018 Host specificity of an encyrtid parasitoid: Historical records and field-based tests in the native region to predict introduction risk. Biological Control 121: 66–73
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Notes: Host range estimation using historical records and field-based host specificity tests was performed with Tachardiaephagus somervilli, an encyrtid parasitoid selected for the biological control of the invasive lac scale Tachardina aurantiaca on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. No-choice host specificity tests conducted in the field in the native range of Tachardina aurantiaca showed that none of the eight test species (Coccoidea) were parasitized by T. somervilli. These results predict that release of T. somervilli on Christmas Island will have negligible risks of non-target impacts.
