Oviposition Site Preferences ofGalerucella calmariensisandG. pusilla, Biological Control Agents of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory John Lindgren
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Biological Weed Control ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Site Preferences

Oviposition site preferences forGalerucella calmariensisandG. pusilla, biological weed control agents against purple loosestrife, were examined in 1994 and 1995. The leaves, stems, axils, and flower buds (G. pusilladid not oviposit on flower buds) were found to be the preferred oviposition sites. Oviposited egg masses may be used as a parameter within a biological control monitoring plan, providing information onGalerucellaestablishment and/or presence, estimating future population size, and providing biological control agent dispersal information. Monitoring for egg masses should concentrate on host plant leaves, where over 56% of all egg masses were oviposited.

Parasitism of a successful weed biological control agent, Neogalerucella calmariensis

2009 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 609-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Norman ◽  
Naomi Cappuccino ◽  
Mark R. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Weed Biological Control ◽  
Eastern Ontario

AbstractWe investigated parasitism of the purple loosestrife beetle, Neogalerucella calmariensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an introduced weed biological control agent, at 13 sites in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, Canada. Beetles were parasitized by gregarine gut protozoans (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) and much less commonly by nematodes (Nematoda: probably Mermithidae) and ectoparasitic mites (Acari: Erythraeidae). Female beetles had more gregarines than did males and the gregarine load was marginally higher in individuals from the original release sites than in individuals from recently colonized sites. Despite its overall success as a biological control agent, N. calmariensis harbours a substantial parasite load.

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.

A case of ecological specialization in ladybirds:Iberorhyzobius rondensis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), potential biocontrol agent ofMatsucoccus feytaudi(Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tavares ◽  
H. Jactel ◽  
I. van Halder ◽  
Z. Mendel ◽  
M. Branco
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Ecological Specialization ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Complete Development ◽  
The North ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

AbstractSpecialization is an important attribute of a biological control agent. The maritime pine bast scale,Matsucoccus feytaudiDucasse (Hemiptera Matsucoccidae), is an invasive species in Southeast France and the North of Italy.Iberorhyzobius rondensisEizaguirre (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a recently described ladybird species. Both adults and larvae are predaceous, feeding on egg masses ofM. feytaudi, and are strongly attracted toM. feytaudi’s sex pheromone. To evaluate the potential ofI. rondensisas a biocontrol agent of the scale, we studied its niche breadth and prey range with emphasis on pine forests and hemipterans as tested prey. In this study,I. rondensiswas found to achieve complete development only when fed onM. feytaudiegg masses (92.9% survival) and an artificial prey: eggs ofEphestia kuehniellaZeller (27.6% survival). From the 2nd instar onwards, complete development could be achieved using other prey species, although larvae had significantly higher mortality and slower development. In choice tests,M. feytaudiwas the preferred prey. Surveys of the ladybird populations in the Iberian Peninsula revealed that it was found exclusively onPinus pinasterAiton, the sole host ofM. feytaudi. The unusual specialization ofI. rondensis, among other predaceous ladybirds, makes it an appropriate candidate for classical biological control ofM. feytaudi.

The life-history and host specificity of Comostolopsis germana Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a biological control agent of Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Compositae)

1989 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Adair ◽  
J. K. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Geometrid Moth ◽  
Alien Weed

AbstractLarvae of the southern African geometrid moth Comostolopsis germana Prout feed on the shoot apices and axillary buds of Chrysanthemoides monilifera, a serious alien weed of native vegetation in Australia. The insect was found in low abundance throughout the distribution of its hosts, C. incana and C. monilifera, in southern Africa. Larvae were present throughout the year in subtropical Natal, but were absent in winter in the cooler, Mediterranean type climate of Cape Province. In host-specificity tests using 65 plant species from 26 families, Comostolopsis germana completed development only on Chrysanthemoides monilifera monilifera and C. monilifera rotundata. Insignificant, exploratory feeding occurred on Olearia axillaris (Compositae) and pea, Pisum sativum (Leguminosae). In multiple-choice oviposition tests eggs were laid on 41 species, but a strong preference was shown for the foliage and stems of C. monilifera. Larvae grazing the flower buds, pedicels and peduncles of C. monilifera may reduce the reproductive capacity of their host and contribute to its control. Comostolopsis germana has been approved for release as a biological control agent of Chrysanthemoides monilifera in Australia.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Efficacy of Paecilomyces Lilacinus as Biological Control Agent of Meloidogyne Incognita Attacking Tomato

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira Oclarit ◽  
Christian Cumagun
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Meloidogyne Incognita ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Paecilomyces Lilacinus ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Root Sample ◽  
Gall Index

Evaluation of Efficacy of Paecilomyces Lilacinus as Biological Control Agent of Meloidogyne Incognita Attacking Tomato The efficacy of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain UP1 as biological control agent of Meloidogyne incognita attacking tomato was evaluated under screenhouse condition pot experiments. P. lilacinus was formulated on rice substrate in powder form. Root weight, gall index rating, number of galls, egg masses and nematodes per one gram root sample were determined and per cent reduction in gall number was computed. Root weight and gall index ratings were significantly higher in untreated plants than those with P. lilacinus and with the commercial fungicide Nemacur. Number of galls, nematodes and egg masses per one gram root sample were significantly reduced by the application of P. lilacinus at all levels and this was comparable with Nemacur. However, egg mass count in plants treated with the lowest concentration of the biocontrol agent was not significantly different from the uninoculated control. Per cent reduction in gall number was the highest at treatment with 7.92 × 106 spores per ml of P. lilacinus.

Host Specificity and Environmental Impact of the WeevilHylobius transversovittatus, a Biological Control Agent of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Weed Science ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Blossey ◽  
Dieter Schroeder ◽  
Stephen D. Hight ◽  
Richard A. Malecki
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Purple Loosestrife ◽  
Test Plant

Introduction of purple loosestrife into North America and its spread into wetlands has led to the degradation of these important habitats for wildlife. Conventional control efforts are unsuccessful in providing long-term control. A classical biological control program offers the best chance for reducing the numbers of this invasive plant and improving regeneration of the native flora and fauna. European studies demonstrated that the root boring weevil Hylobius transversovittatus is highly host specific to the target weed. Attack of two test plant species (winged lythrum and swamp loosestrife) during host range screening was most likely due to artificial test conditions. An environmental assessment of the potential effects of the release of the purple loosestrife borer in North America indicated that benefits outweigh any potential negative impact Therefore its field release was approved in 1992.

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