Rhinocyllus conicus Establishment for Biocontrol of Thistles in Virginia

Weed Science ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. Surles ◽  
L. T. Kok ◽  
R. L. Pienkowski

Rhinocyllus conicusFroel. (Col.: Curculionidae) larvae feeding within the capitula ofCarduusthistles may reduce production of viable seeds. EachR. conicuslarva destroyed 9.7 developing musk thistle (Carduus nutansL.) seeds. An average musk thistle capitulum, 29.2 mm diameter, produced 15.3 viable achenes per millimeter of diameter for an average of 447 viable seeds. Surveys of 23 release sites in Virginia revealed that thistles at 12 had sustained a population of weevils. Weevil eggs at six sites have increased in abundance, and establishment appears assured. Colonization ofR. conicuswas enhanced by spring or early summer releases; larger stocks of insects were required for late summer releases. The weevils exhibited better synchronization with musk thistle than with plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoidesL.); and best success has been achieved where extensive, persistent stands of musk thistle were available.

2005 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 140-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
C.J. Fletcher

Nodding thistle receptacle weevil Rhinocyllus conicus and gallfly Urophora solstitialis attack the capitula of nodding thistle Carduus nutans L Between 31 October and 15 December 2003 the phenology of both R conicus and U solstitialis was studied at a dryland site in Canterbury Adult R conicus were more numerous than U solstitialis on capitula throughout the experiment Larvae of R conicus were first found on 11 November (15 of capitula infested) and peaked on 2 December with 53 of capitula infested Only 3 of capitula were infested by U solstitialis Adult R conicus or U solstitialis emerged from 79 of the selected primary and secondary capitula The majority of infested capitula (81) contained only R conicus 2 contained only U solstitialis while 17 contained both insect species Parasitism of R conicus by the braconid parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides was low and occurred when most weevil eggs had been laid


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck

Abstract We evaluated the effects of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) and re-implantation of steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from 14 April to 17 September 2020 (n = 155 d) in a split-plot design on steer performance and forage production. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures (112 kg N/ha); 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), supplemental DDGS fed at 2.9 kg 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemented DDGS at 0.75% BW/d on unfertilized pastures prorated for 5-d/wk feeding. Steers were previously implanted during receiving with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (REV-G; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). On July 7, steers in each pasture were randomly assigned to one of three re-implant treatments: 1) no re-implant; 2) REV-G; or 3) 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health). Steers in FS and S gained more (P < 0.01) than FC throughout the trial and final BW was greater (P < 0.01) for FS and S compared with FC. Unexpectedly, re-implanting had no effect on ADG (P = 0.57) or BW (P = 0.34), but statistical power may be lacking. Supplemental efficiency was greater in the late summer for FS (P = 0.05) compared to S. Fertilizing pastures in FS and FC did not affect biomass (P = 0.39), however, CP was increased (P = 0.01) and acid and neutral detergent fibers tended to decrease (P = 0.06) relative to S in the early summer (April, May, June, and July), but did not differ in late summer (August and September). Based upon our analysis, DDGS is a suitable supplement and can replace N fertilizer for steers grazing introduced pastures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 46-46
Author(s):  
Zane N Grigsby ◽  
Paul A Beck ◽  
Stacey A Gunter

Abstract This research was conducted to determine effects of supplementation and implanting on BW gain by steers grazing mixed grass prairie (n = 12 pastures, 19.9 ± 0.7 ha) in northwest Oklahoma. Three main plot treatments were: 1) Negative Control (NC), no supplementation, 2) Positive Control (PC), supplemented with DDGS cubes, 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days in late summer, 3) High Supplement (HS), 1/3 increase in stocking rate with 0.75% BW supplemental DDGS cubes all season. Steers (n = 125, BW = 223.1 ± 23.2 kg) were stocked at 2.2 ha/steer for PC and NC, 1.3 ha/steer for HS. Grazing was from May 17 – September 27 (132 d). All steers were implanted with 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (SYN, Synonvex S, Zoetis Animal Health) on May 17. On July 18 three reimplant treatments were applied: 1) no reimplant; 2) SYN; or 3) 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS as a split-plot experimental design. In early summer HS had 0.26 kg greater (P < 0.01) ADG than NC and PC. Late summer gains of PC were 0.33 kg/d more (P ≤ 0.01) than NC; and HS gained 0.49 and 0.16 kg/day more (P ≤ 0.04) than NC and PC, respectively. Gain per hectare for PC (46 kg/ha) were greater (P < 0.01) than NC (35 kg/ha) and more than doubled (P < 0.01) with HS (89 kg/ha). Reimplanting had no effect on ADG (P ≥ 0.28). Late season supplementation with PC resulted in supplemental efficiency of 2.7 kg supplement/kg added gain compared with NC. Increased stocking rates with season long supplementation in HS resulted in supplemental efficiency of 3.8 kg supplement/kg added gain per hectare. Based on these data, a 100% DDGS cube is an effective supplement option to increase BW gain during the late summer or increase carrying capacity and gain during the summer grazing period in northwestern Oklahoma.


1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1605-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Moore ◽  
G. A. Mulligan

A third 5-year survey made in 1962 of Carduus acanthoides, C. nutans, and their hybrids in Grey Co., Ontario, revealed that a great decrease in these populations had occurred. C. acanthoides and hybrids similar to this species had survived better than C. nutans but very little spread of either species seemed to have occurred in 1957–1962. In experimental plots the hybrid has been made and backcrossed to the parental species. The species differ in chromosome number (C. acanthoides, 2n = 22; C. nutans, 2n = 16) and hybrids have intermediate numbers. Evidence was found from field and experimental studies that the progeny of the F1 hybrid included a greater proportion of seedlings with the higher chromosome numbers than with the lower and intermediate numbers. It is suggested that this selection may operate through the rejection of the longer chromosomes received from C. nutans, which, in certain zygotic combinations may constitute an excess of chromatin lethal to the zygote.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Beck ◽  
T. Hess ◽  
D. Hubbell ◽  
M. S. Gadberry ◽  
J. Jennings ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) or a combination of white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pretense L.) clovers (CLVR) inter-seeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) on herbage nutritive value compared with monocultures of bermudagrass fertilised with 0 (0N), 56 (56N), or 112 (112N) kg nitrogen (N)/ha over four grazing seasons. In autumn, at the end of the fourth year and in the spring before the fifth grazing season, alfalfa and clover plants were killed and the carryover N benefit of CLVR or ALF was compared with N fertilisation rates during the fifth year. Across years, N fertilisation rate increased herbage mass and carrying capacity linearly; whereas herbage production from CLVR and ALF swards was equivalent to 56N, were greater than 0N and less than 112N. Herbage mass in CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass swards in the spring and did not differ from fertilised bermudagrass in the early summer. In late summer herbage accumulation of CLVR and ALF swards appeared to decrease, limiting the herbage mass in the legume pastures compared with 56N and 112N. Carrying capacity of CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass in the spring and early summer, but did not differ from fertilised swards in the late summer. The N benefit of including legumes in bermudagrass swards can alleviate the reliance on synthetic N fertilisation with little overall effect on pasture carrying capacity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelo Peter Bonsignore

The phenology ofCapnodis tenebrionisadults was presented with reference to two different climate conditions. In a temperate moderate-warm climate, adult density showed two separate peaks during the year: one in early summer of the overwintering generation and one with beetles emerging in the late summer. In a warmer semiarid climate, the overwintering adults and the new generation overlapped during summer with a continuous increase of adult density. The difference in the average annual temperature between areas during the study period was almost3∘C, and, in the warmer area, the new generation ofC. tenebrionisemerged at least one month earlier. To make a prediction of adult presence, a model utilizing degree-days was developed from data collected over a five-year period. Models obtained from equations (Logistic 4-parameter,y(x)=yo+a/(1+(x/xo)b)) of each year were developed to describe the relationship between degree-day accumulation (with a minimal threshold activity temperature of14.21∘Ccalculated in the laboratory) and the cumulative percentage of adult presence. According to the overall model, the 50% of overwintering beetles occurred at 726 degree-days (Biofix: 1st March) and the emerging beetles occurred at 801 degree-days (Biofix: 1st July). The results show that a change in temperature is an important aspect that highlights the adaptability of this species.


2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon R. Newman ◽  
Diane Wagner ◽  
Patricia Doak

AbstractFor quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux; Salicaceae) the rate of extrafloral (EF) sugar secretion is increased by defoliation and decreased by drought. Although wholesale blocking of EF nectar has been shown to reduce ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) visitation to aspen, the effect of more subtle and realistic variations in nectar availability on ant recruitment is unknown. Working in Alaskan boreal forest (United States of America), we reduced and supplemented EF nectar availability on potted aspen ramets of three genotypes and surveyed visitation by free-living Formica fusca (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ants were more responsive to a subtle increase in sugar availability than to a decrease. While nectar reduction had no effect on ant visitation, nectar supplementation increased ant visitation to one aspen genotype by 70% during an early summer trial. Average ant visitation to different aspen genotypes varied during the late summer, indicating that aspen genotype can influence attractiveness to ants. We conclude that natural induction of EF secretion in response to herbivory may benefit aspen through improved ant recruitment, though the response is dependent on aspen genotype and time of year. Differences among aspen genets in attractiveness to ants could influence the relative success of genotypes, especially in settings in which aspen regenerates from seed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1165-1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zúñiga ◽  
Celia Santos ◽  
María Froján ◽  
Emilia Salgueiro ◽  
Marta M. Rufino ◽  
...  

Abstract. The objective of the current work is to improve our understanding of how water column diatom's abundance and assemblage composition is seasonally transferred from the photic zone to seafloor sediments. To address this, we used a dataset derived from water column, sediment trap and surface sediment samples recovered in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system. Diatom fluxes (2.2 (±5.6) 106 valves m−2 d−1) represented the majority of the siliceous microorganisms sinking out from the photic zone during all studied years and showed seasonal variability. Contrasting results between water column and sediment trap diatom abundances were found during downwelling periods, as shown by the unexpectedly high diatom export signals when diatom-derived primary production achieved their minimum levels. They were principally related to surface sediment remobilization and intense Minho and Douro river discharge that constitute an additional source of particulate matter to the inner continental shelf. In fact, contributions of allochthonous particles to the sinking material were confirmed by the significant increase of both benthic and freshwater diatoms in the sediment trap assemblage. In contrast, we found that most of the living diatom species blooming during highly productive upwelling periods were dissolved during sinking, and only those resistant to dissolution and the Chaetoceros and Leptocylindrus spp. resting spores were susceptible to being exported and buried. Furthermore, Chaetoceros spp. dominate during spring–early summer, when persistent northerly winds lead to the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters on the shelf, while Leptocylindrus spp. appear associated with late-summer upwelling relaxation, characterized by water column stratification and nutrient depletion. These findings evidence that the contributions of these diatom genera to the sediment's total marine diatom assemblage should allow for the reconstruction of different past upwelling regimes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 585-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Rakocevic

Phytoplankton seasonal succession and spatial heterogeneity were studied in Lake Skadar from February to December 2004. A total of 167 taxa from 6 algal divisions were observed, with Bacillariophyta being best represented (52.8%). The general pattern of phytoplankton seasonal succession in Lake Skadar was: Bacillariophyta in the spring, Chlorophyta in early summer, Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta in late summer and Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta in autumn and winter. Distinct spatial heterogeneity was observed. The central, open part of the lake (pelagic zone) was characterized by dominant euplanktonic species, mostly diatoms, whereas the western and northwestern parts (more isolated and shallower) had higher abundance of greens and blue-greens and a higher percentage of resuspended benthic-epiphytic forms in the phytoplankton community. Comparison with former phytoplankton data showed distinct differences in terms of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the phytoplankton community of Lake Skadar, which indicates lake deterioration.


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