Prospects for classical biological control of Marchalina hellenica in Australia

The giant pine scale, Marchalina hellenica Gennadius (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae), is a sap-sucking insect native to South-East Europe that was recently introduced in Australia where it threatens the pine forestry industry. To initiate a classical biological control programme, a literature review and field surveys were carried out in Greece to investigate the natural enemy complex of the scale. While no parasitoids were found, M. hellenica was attacked by several predators, most notably Neoleucopis kartliana Tanasijtshuk (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae). N. kartliana was present at all sites investigated and is presumably specific to Marchalina. This highlights its potential as a biological control agent for M. hellenica. This predatory fly has already been used to control M. hellenica on the Italian island of Ischia. Interestingly, molecular analyses of Greek samples revealed other Chamaemyiidae predatory flies that can be potentially included in the Australian classical biological control programme of M. hellenica.