Effect ofGalerucellaspp. on survival of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) roots and crowns

Weed Science ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Stamm Katovich ◽  
Roger L. Becker ◽  
David W. Ragsdale
Keyword(s):  
Plant Stress ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Plant Mortality ◽  
Galerucella Calmariensis ◽  
Galerucella Pusilla ◽  
Crown Tissue ◽  
Severe Leaf

Starch levels, used as a measure of plant stress, were not consistently reduced in root or crown tissue of purple loosestrife plants after 2 yr of severeGalerucella calmariensisorGalerucella pusilla(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) defoliation. Early in the season, defoliation fromGalerucellaspp. approached 100%, but the majority ofLythrum salicariaplants regrew by the end of August, resulting in an average reduction of 81% of the aboveground biomass compared to the control. The stress imposed byGalerucellaspp. defoliation was less than that achieved from more severe stress imposed by mechanical shoot clipping at 2- or 4-wk intervals from June to October. Both shoot-clipping treatments killed the majority of plants after one growing season.Galerucellaspp. feeding reduced plant stature, which may reduce competitiveness. However, considering the extensive carbohydrate reserves present in the large woody crowns ofLythrum salicaria, it will require in excess of 2 yr of consistent, severe leaf defoliation to cause plant mortality. A combination of stresses, such as winter crown injury, or other biological control agents in addition toGalerucellaleaf defoliation may be required for plant mortality.

INSECTS ASSOCIATED WITH PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE, LYTHRUM SAUCARIA L., IN SOUTHERN MANITOBA.

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 937-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason K. Diehl ◽  
N.J. Holliday ◽  
C.J. Lindgren ◽  
R.E. Roughley
Keyword(s):  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Feeding Guilds ◽  
Stink Bug ◽  
Galerucella Calmariensis ◽  
Galerucella Pusilla ◽  
Important Predator ◽  
Trap Plants ◽  
Galerucella Nymphaeae ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

AbstractIn 1994 and 1995 insects were collected from several sites in southern Manitoba, where purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L., is dominant. Collection techniques included the use of trap plants, sweep netting, vacuum sampling, and hand collecting. Insects from 38 families were collected and grouped into four general feeding guilds: herbivores, predators, omnivores, and fungivores. Herbivores that directly fed on L. salicaria included Galerucella nymphaeae Linné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Myzus lythri (Schrank) (Homoptera: Aphididae), Poecilocapsus lineatus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Miridae), Kleidocerys resedae (Panzer) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), Ametastegia glabrata (Fallén) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), Orgyia leucostigma (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), Lophocampa maculata (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), Spilosoma virginica (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Simyra henrici (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Dichomeris ligulella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Melanchrapicta (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Hyles galli (Rottenburg) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), and Biston betularia cognataria (Gn) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). These herbivores cannot severely limit the density of purple loosestrife in southern Manitoba and any interactions with the introduced agents should be minimal. The predatory stink bug, Apoecilus bracteatus Fitch (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), was identified as a potentially important predator of the introduced biological control agents, Galerucella pusilla Duftschmidt and Galerucella calmariensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Density-dependent processes in leaf beetles feeding on purple loosestrife: aggregative behaviour affecting individual growth rates

2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Hambäck
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Leaf Beetles ◽  
Galerucella Calmariensis ◽  
Population Growth Rates ◽  
Galerucella Pusilla ◽  
Chrysomelid Beetles

AbstractAggregative responses are commonly observed in insects, including chrysomelids, affecting both individual and population growth rates. In two closely related chrysomelid beetles (Galerucella calmariensisandG. pusilla) feeding on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), recent studies suggest that male-produced pheromones may cause both inter- and intraspecific attraction. This paper further examines the causes and consequences of feeding aggregations in these species. Olfactometer studies confirm previous findings, showing cross-species attraction to damaged plants, but suggest that also damaged induced plant volatiles may be involved. In addition, the studies suggest that the cross-species attraction observed in previous studies have asymmetric effects on the two beetles.Galerucella pusillawas more attracted to damage byG. calmariensisthan to damage by conspecifics. Laboratory and field data suggest that feeding aggregations in these species increase pupal mass, at least at low to intermediate larval densities. This positive feedback may have important consequences for the spatiotemporal dynamics and as a consequence on the role of the two chrysomelid beetles on biological control of purple loosestrife.

The biology of Canadian weeds. 100. Lythrum salicaria

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 1305-1330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun R. Mai ◽  
Jon Lovett-Doust ◽  
Lesley Lovett-Doust ◽  
G. A. Mulligan
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Extreme Sensitivity ◽  
Root Buds ◽  
Wetland Habitats

Lythrum salicaria is a serious weed of wetlands in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Indeed some assessments suggest that this exotic is now responsible for the conversion of more wetland habitat than is current human development pressure¡ Lythrum is a heterostylous species and clones by means of root buds. Despite its tristylous breeding system, Lythrum is a successful colonizer, and can produce prodigious numbers of seeds. It is likely that control can be achieved by hand-pulling in low-density populations, but once the species is established it generally becomes abundant and often approaches a monoculture. This species is particularly difficult to control because of its strong competitive ability, the extreme sensitivity of wetland habitats, and the likelihood of serious repercussions for wetland wildlife and fisheries if herbicides are used to control it. We see better possibilities for control through cultural techniques (e.g., manipulation of water levels to favour native species), enhancement of North American herbivores, and, possibly, the introduction of biological control agents from Europe and Asia.Key words: Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, wetlands, introduced weed

Host Specificity and Environmental Impact of Two Leaf Beetles (Galerucella calmariensisandG. pusilla) for Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Weed Science ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Blossey ◽  
Dieter Schroeder ◽  
Stephen D. Hight ◽  
Richard A. Malecki
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Biological Weed Control ◽  
Leaf Beetles ◽  
Galerucella Calmariensis ◽  
Adult Feeding ◽  
Potential Risks

Many prime wetlands in North America have been degraded following encroachment by the exotic plant purple loosestrife. Conventional methods are unsuccessful in providing long-term control. Host specificity studies demonstrated the suitability of two leaf beetles, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla, as biological weed control agents. Adults oviposited only on plants within the genus Lythrum. The only species other than purple loosestrife where adult feeding and oviposition occurred and that supported successful larval development was winged lythrum. Swamp loosestrife and winged lythrum may be vulnerable to limited attack by newly emerged teneral adults. Evaluation of the potential environmental impact of the two leaf beetles showed that benefits of an introduction outweigh potential risks to winged lythrum or swamp loosestrife. Their field release was approved in 1992.

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