The biology and host specificity of Pareuchaetes aurata aurata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), a ‘new association’ biological control agent for Chromolaena odorata (Compositae)

1993 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Kluge ◽  
P.M. Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Ant Predation ◽  
Plant Feeding ◽  
Pareuchaetes Pseudoinsulata ◽  
New Association

AbstractPareuchaetes aurata aurata (Butler) from Chromolaena jujuensis in northern Argentina was tested as a biological control candidate for the composite weed C. odorata. The larvae feed voraciously and complete their development on C. odorata. The host-plant feeding range of P. a. aurata is limited to the genus Chromolaena. It is suggested that the egg-laying behaviour of P. a. aurata, which scatters its eggs around the base of the host-plant, will help to overcome the problem of ant predation which prevented the establishment of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros, which lays its eggs in batches, in South Africa. Any possible benefits of the new association between P. a. aurata and C. odorata may also contribute to the success of this biological control programme.

The pathogenicity of an Australian isolate of Acremonium zonatum to water hyacinth, and its relationship with the biological control agent, Neochetina eichhorniae

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Galbraith
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Water Hyacinth ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Australian Isolate ◽  
Free Moisture ◽  
Neochetina Eichhorniae ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
The Individual

The first description of Acremonium zonatum on water hyacinth in Australia is made. Its pathogenicity was studied as part of the search for a microorganism already present in Australia which could be developed as a mychoherbicide to supplement the arthropod biological control programme in this country. Following inoculation with A. zonatum, extensive leaf infections developed, favoured by injury and free moisture, but new leaves continued to form. Feeding by the weevil, Neochetina eichhorniae, increased infection by A. zonatum in relatively dry conditions, but it is unlikely that this was due to feeding scars acting as ports of entry. A. zonatum spores were transported on the feet and in the digestive tract of the weevil. The growth of infected plants, estimated by standing crop, was reduced by 49% compared to the control. A further decrease occurred in infected plants infested by weevils, but the total reduction in growth was not equal to the sum of the individual effects of fungus and weevil. Infection did not develop in 15 other plant species inoculated with the Australian isolate of A. zonatum. Although not a virulent pathogen, A. zonatum has some favourable characteristics for consideration as a mycoherbicide and has not appeared antagonistic to N. eichhorniae in these studies. Its role probably lies in exerting a chronic stress on plants already under attack by arthropod biological control agents.

scholarly journals Identification and host-plant associations of Australian Sericothripinae (Thysanoptera, Thripidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 1983 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURENCE A. MOUND ◽  
DESLEY TREE
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Species ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Complex Surface ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Weed Biological Control ◽  
European Species ◽  
Plant Associations

The Sericothripinae is a largely tropical group of about 140 species that are often strikingly bicoloured and have complex surface sculpture, but for which the biology is poorly known. Although 15 genera have been described in this subfamily, only three of these are currently recognised, with five new generic synonymies indicated here. In Australia, Sericothrips Haliday is introduced, with one European species deployed as a weed biological control agent. Hydatothrips Karny comprises 43 species worldwide, with six species found in Australia, of which two are shared with Southeast Asia, and four are associated with the native vine genus, Parsonsia. Neohydatothrips John comprises 96 species worldwide, with nine species in Australia, of which one is shared with Southeast Asia and two are presumably introduced from the Americas. Illustrated keys are provided to the three genera and 16 species from Australia, including six new species [Hydatothrips aliceae; H. bhattii; H. williamsi; Neohydatothrips barrowi, N. bellissi, N. katherinae]. One new specific synonym is recognised [Hydatothrips haschemi Girault (=H. palawanensis Kudo)], also four new generic synonyms [Neohydatothrips John (=Faureana Bhatti; Onihothrips Bhatti; Sariathrips Bhatti; Papiliothrips Bhatti); Sericothrips Haliday (=Susserico- thrips Han)].

Biology and host specificity of the Chondrilla gall mite Aceria chondrillae (G. Can.) (Acarina, Eriophyidae)

1974 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Caresche ◽  
A. J. Wapshere
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Marked Effect ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Full Life Cycle ◽  
East Russia ◽  
Gall Mite

AbstractThe Eriophyid gall mite, Aceria chondrillae (G. Can.), which is distributed from south-east Russia to Portugal, was studied in the Mediterranean region as part of a biological control programme against skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) for Australia. The mite induces the vegetative and flower buds of Chondrilla to form leafy galls in which the full life-cycle is completed, causing stunting of the plant and reducing seeding. The mite overwinters in the rosettes of C. juncea without inducing gall development or reproducing. Populations decrease markedly during winter, recover in spring and infestations spread rapidly during summer. Reproduction is sexual and spermatophores are deposited by the males. Amblyseius sp. preys on A. chondrillae without marked effect. Tests made by placing fully developed galls of A. chondrillae on 75 species of plant including certain Cichoriaceae closely related to Chondrilla showed that the mite was highly specific to Chondrilla. Comparative tests with four geographical strains of A. chondrillae against six forms of C. juncea of various geographical origins indicated that the strains were specialised to their usual host form of the plant. A Greek strain of the mite readily attacked the main Australian form of C. juncea, and this strain has been introduced into Australia as a biological control agent for the weed.

The molecular basis of host plant selection in Melaleuca quinquenervia by a successful biological control agent

2010 ◽  
Vol 71 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1237-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Padovan ◽  
Andras Keszei ◽  
Tobias G. Köllner ◽  
Jörg Degenhardt ◽  
William J. Foley
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Host Plant Selection ◽  
Melaleuca Quinquenervia ◽  
Plant Selection

Biology of Bucculatrix parthenica Bradley sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) and its establishment in Australia as a biological control agent for Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae)

1990 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. McClay ◽  
R. E. McFadyen ◽  
J. D. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽  
Leaf Miners

AbstractBucculatrix parthenica Bradley sp. n., a moth native to Mexico, is described. It has been released and established in Queensland, Australia, as a biological control agent for its host plant, Parthenium hysterophorus. The moth oviposits on leaves of its host. First and second instar larvae are leaf miners, and later instars feed externally on the leaves. The life cycle occupies about 25 days under field conditions. B. parthenica was narrowly oligophagous in host-specificity tests. In Mexico the insect is scarce but in Queensland it has become abundant enough to cause extensive defoliation of its host plant at some sites. Its rapid increase in Queensland is attributed to the absence of parasitism.

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