Pennell, C.G.L., Ball, O.J.P., & O' Callaghan, M. 1999 The effects of Neotyphodium endophytes in tall fescue on pasture mealy bug (Balanococcus poae).. Proceedings of the 52nd New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 259-263.

Notes: [Conference held in Auckland Airport Centra, Auckland, New Zealand 1999.] The effect of different Neotyphodium (formerly Acremonium) endophyte strains (AR501, AR502, AR542 and wild type) in novel and natural tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) associations on pasture mealy bug (B. poae) was investigated during 1999 in New Zealand under grazing conditions. All of the endophyte-infected tall fescue treatments had significantly lower numbers of mealy bugs compared to an endophyte-free control. Resistance to pasture mealy bug was maintained in novel associations free of the mammalian toxin ergovaline. Point analysis revealed that endophyte-free plots contained less tall fescue herbage than endophyte-infected treatments. This paper raises the possibility that the pasture mealy bug was responsible.