A comparison of host range and performance of congeneric leaf-mining flies, Hydrellia pakistanae (Diptera: Ephydridae) and Hydrellia sp., two candidate biological control agents for the South African biotype of Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bownes
2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Adair ◽  
A. Bruzzese

AbstractLarvae of the South African tephritid flies Mesoclanis polana Munro and M. magnipalpis Bezzi feed in the developing seeds of Chrysanthemoides monilifera. Host specificity evaluation using 109 plant species from 25 families indicated that complete development was restricted to their natural host C. monilifera. Minor feeding and limited development was detected on 18 species, but was of no ecological or economic significance. Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis have been released in Australia and M. polana has established and dispersed widely. Mesoclanis magnipalpis has not yet become naturalized. Parasitism of M. polana in Australia by several species of Hymenoptera has been detected, but is not expected to limit the establishment and impact of these flies.


1987 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 850-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Vannacci ◽  
G. E. Harman

Forty-two microorganisms were tested as biological control agents against Alternaria raphani and A. brassicicola. Tests were conducted for in vitro antagonistic ability, for ability to control the pathogens on naturally infected seeds germinated on moistened blotters, and in planting mix in growth chamber studies, and for their ability to reduce pod infection. The organisms tested were obtained from cruciferous seeds or were strains already identified as being effective against soil-borne Pythium species. The blotter test indicated that six organisms increased both the number of healthy seedlings and the number of seedlings produced from A. raphani infected radish seeds. An additional seven strains improved either germination or increased the number of healthy seedlings. Twenty-nine organisms increased the number of healthy cabbage seedlings from A. brassicicola infected seeds, but total germination was not modified by any treatment. Experiments in planting mix showed that five antagonists (Chaetomium globosum, two strains of Trichoderma harzianum, T. koningii, and Fusarium sp.) increased the number of healthy plants in both radish samples tested, while four additional antagonists provided a significant increase in only one of the samples tested. The five antagonists that consistently increased numbers of healthy radish seedlings also decreased pod infection by A. raphani. None were as effective as iprodrone, however. Several effective antagonists were found to be mycoparasitic against Alternaria spp. Some strains of Trichoderma previously found to be effective against Pythium spp. were also effective against Alternaria spp., indicating that these strains have a wide host range.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Susan A. Wineriter-Wright ◽  
Melissa C. Smith ◽  
Mark A. Metz ◽  
Jeffrey R. Makinson ◽  
Bradley T. Brown ◽  
...  

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia and is invasive in South Florida and Hawai’i, USA. During surveys of R. tomentosa in Hong Kong from 2013–2018 for potential biological control agents, we collected larvae of the stem borer, Casmara subagronoma. Larvae were shipped in stems to a USDA-ARS quarantine facility where they were reared and subjected to biology studies and preliminary host range examinations. Casmara subagronoma is the most recent Casmara species to be described from males collected in Vietnam and Indonesia. Because the original species description was based on only two male specimens, we also provide a detailed description of the female, egg, larva, and pupa. Finally, we conducted preliminary host range trials utilizing Myrtus communis, Myrcianthes fragrans, and Camellia sinensis. Casmara subagronoma emerged from M. fragrans, a Florida-native shrub, and larvae were able to survive in non-target stems for over a year (>400 days). Based on these findings and difficulty in rearing, we do not believe C. subagronoma is a suitable insect for biological control of R. tomentosa at this time, but may warrant further study. This investigation also illustrates the importance of host surveys for conservation and taxonomic purposes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Buys ◽  
C. Olckers ◽  
P. Schaap

The Job Characteristics Model, the accompanying Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) and the proposed steps for improving motivation, satisfaction and performance have been functionally utilized in South Africa as a revised job redesign practice to address some critical human resources problems currently facing managers and human resources practitioners. The aim of the study was ] to determine the construct validity of the Revised Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) in the South African context. The Revised JDS was evaluated using item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The finding of this study is in favour of the Revised JDS as a reliable and factorially valid instrument for South African use. The promising results of this study should pave the way for further research and the search for more conclusive evidence on the construct validity of the Revised JDS in the South African context.


Author(s):  
Ali A. Wangara ◽  
Katherine M. Hunold ◽  
Sarah Leeper ◽  
Frederick Ndiawo ◽  
Judith Mweu ◽  
...  

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