Effect of nitrogen on the preference and performance of a biological control agent for an invasive plant

Trichopria drosophilae is a pupal parasitoid that can develop in a large number of drosophilid host species including the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii, and is considered a biological control agent. We investigated the influence of the rearing host on the preference and performance of the parasitoid, using two different strains of T. drosophilae, reared on D. melanogaster or D. suzukii for approximately 30 generations. Host switching was employed to assess the impact of host adaptation on T. drosophilae performance. In a no-choice experimental setup, T. drosophilae produced more and larger offspring on the D. suzukii host. When given a choice, T. drosophilae showed a preference towards D. suzukii, and an increased female ratio on this host compared to D. melanogaster and D. immigrans. The preference was independent from the rearing host and was confirmed in behavioral assays. However, the preference towards D. suzukii increased further after a host switch from D. melanogaster to D. suzukii in just one generation. Our data indicate that rearing T. drosophilae for several years on D. melanogaster does not compromise its performance on D. suzukii in the laboratory. However, producing a final generation on D. suzukii prior to release could increase its efficacy towards the pest.

Download Full-text

Population Dynamics and Impacts of the Red-Headed Leafy Spurge Stem Borer on Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1614/ipsm-d-10-00056.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 183-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert A. Progar ◽

George Markin ◽

Joseph Milan ◽

Tom Barbouletos ◽

Matthew J. Rinella

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Stem Borer ◽

Leafy Spurge ◽

Control Agent ◽

Euphorbia Esula ◽

Western United States ◽

Large Populations ◽

And Control

AbstractWe evaluated the efficacy of the biological control agent, red-headed leafy spurge stem borer, against the nonnative invasive plant leafy spurge. Our three treatments were release of the biological control agent into uncaged plots, release of the biological control agent into plots caged to prevent agent escape, and control plots caged to prevent agent entry. These treatments were replicated three times at six sites in the western United States. We measured leafy spurge biomass for 1 or 2 yr following release. We also measured the percentage of leafy spurge stems showing evidence of red-headed leafy spurge stem borer oviposition for either 1 or 2 yr following agent release, depending on the site. Red-headed leafy spurge stem borer did not demonstrably reduce leafy spurge biomass in our study. Moreover, compared to the release year, evidence of red-headed leafy spurge stem borer oviposition declined with time, suggesting the agent population was diminishing. This suggests the agent is incapable of building large populations capable of controlling leafy spurge at the sites we studied. However, after being released, populations of biological control agents sometimes go through long lag phases and then begin rapid population increases, so we cannot completely dismiss the possibility that red-headed leafy spurge stem borer might become effective given more time.

Download Full-text

Host-plant variety and not climate determines the establishment and performance of Aceria lantanae (Eriophyidae), a biological control agent of Lantana camara in South Africa

Experimental and Applied Acarology ◽

10.1007/s10493-017-0115-0 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 71 (2) ◽

pp. 103-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ludzula Mukwevho ◽

David Simelane ◽

Terence Olckers

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Biological Control ◽

Host Plant ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Lantana Camara ◽

Plant Variety ◽

And Performance

Download Full-text

Dispersal of Oxyops vitiosa: A Biological Control Agent of Melaleuca in Florida

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in497-2004 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 2004 (8) ◽

Author(s):

William A. Overholt ◽

Paul D. Pratt

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Program ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

Control Agent ◽

Publication Date ◽

University Of Florida ◽

Fort Lauderdale ◽

Oxyops Vitiosa

In 1986, USDA/ARS scientists at the Invasive Plant Research Laboratory in Fort Lauderdale started a classical biological control program against melaleuca. The scientists recently released two insects as part of that program; the melaleuca weevil (Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)) and the melaleuca psyllid (Boreioglycapsis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)). This publication discusses the current distribution and dispersal rate of the weevil since in its introduction. This document is ENY-701, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: March 2004. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in497

Download Full-text