Xanthopimpla rhopaloceros, a parasitoid of leafroller pupae

Xanthopimpla rhopaloceros was introduced to New Zealand in the 1960s and 70s from Australia for control of lightbrown apple moth. However, it has also provided some biological control of brownheaded leafrollers.

This wasp is now well established and common throughout the North Island. It has also established in the north of the South Island. Its host range commonly includes brownheaded leafrollers. X. rhopaloceros has not been shown to be important in leafroller control in apple orchards, even though common in the surrounding environment. Repeated attempts to establish it in Canterbury have failed. During its establishment and spread further north, this parasitoid has become very common, and this has been accompanied by observed reductions of leafroller populations. This evidence of major impact remains circumstantial and high numbers of the introduced tachninid parasitoid Trigonospila brevifacies have also been implicated. X rhopaloceros has also parasitised a number of other species, as well as the pest leafrollers.