Glabridorsum stokesii, a parasitoid of leafroller pupae

Glabridorsum stokesii 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 ichneumonid is now established throughout the North Island and the north of the South Island. The adult female lays an egg on the surface of the leafroller pupa and the wasp larva feeds externally before becoming an internal parasite. Although well established as a parasitoid of lightbrown apple moth, this species also commonly attacks brownheaded leafrollers. In addition to parasitising leafrollers, it is an important natural enemy of Oriental fruit moth and occasionally attacks codling moth pupae.