Acigona infusella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an agent for biological control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. A. Sands ◽  
R. C. Kassulke
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Eichhornia Crassipes ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
South American ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Pontederia Cordata ◽  
Mass Size ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae

AbstractThe biology and host specificity of a South American moth, Acigona infusella (Wlk.), were studied in quarantine facilities in Australia. In choice tests on the host specificity of A. infusella, slight feeding by larvae occured on ginger, lettuce, banana, bullrush (Typha orientalis) and water primrose (Ludwigia peploides), but in starvation tests only waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) supported complete development. A decrease in larval mortality and increase in egg-mass size of A. infusella occured when a microsporidian, Vairimorpha sp.; infecting the colony was eliminated, suggesting that these insects may then perform more effectively as biological control agents in Australia than in South America. The damage to waterhyacinth cause bu larvae of A. infusella may complement attack by other biological control agents already established in Australia.

Evaluation and host specificity of two seed flies Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis (Diptera: Tephritidae): biological control agents for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Asteraceae) in Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Adair ◽  
A. Bruzzese
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
South African ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Natural Host ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
The South ◽  
Developing Seeds ◽  
Complete Development ◽  
Economic Significance

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.

The suitability of Octotoma scabripennis Guér. and Uroplata girardi Pic (Col., Chrysomelidae) for the control of Lantana (Verbenaceae) in Australia

1969 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. S. Harley
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Oviposition Behaviour ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Normal Host ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Simulated Field

The host range and aspects of the biology of Hispine beetles recorded from plants in the genus Lantana is reviewed. The host specificity of Octotoma scabripennis Guér. and Uroplata girardi Pic was studied in Hawaii where these insects had been imported and established for biological control of the important weed L. camara. New techniques were employed in which feeding and oviposition behaviour was studied in field and simulated-field experiments embracing a wide range of plants interplanted amongst an abundance of the Hispines' normal host. Eesults indicated that both species are restricted almost entirely to L. camara, and subsequently these insects have been imported into and established in Australia. Both insects are particularly well suited to use as biological control agents and should be extremely useful in many countries where L. camara is a weed.

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