Host-range investigations of potential biological control agents of alien invasive hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.) in the USA and Canada: an overview.

Author(s):  
G. Grosskopf ◽  
L. M. Wilson ◽  
J. L. Littlefield
Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 471
Author(s):  
Angelica M. Reddy ◽  
Paul D. Pratt ◽  
Brenda J. Grewell ◽  
Nathan E. Harms ◽  
Ximena Cibils-Stewart ◽  
...  

Exotic water primroses (Ludwigia spp.) are aggressive invaders in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. To date, management of exotic Ludwigia spp. has been limited to physical and chemical control methods. Biological control provides an alternative approach for the management of invasive Ludwigia spp. but little is known regarding the natural enemies of these exotic plants. Herein the biology and host range of Lysathia flavipes (Boheman), a herbivorous beetle associated with Ludwigia spp. in Argentina and Uruguay, was studied to determine its suitability as a biocontrol agent for multiple closely related target weeds in the USA. The beetle matures from egg to adult in 19.9 ± 1.4 days at 25 °C; females lived 86.3 ± 35.6 days and laid 1510.6 ± 543.4 eggs over their lifespans. No-choice development and oviposition tests were conducted using four Ludwigia species and seven native plant species. Lysathia flavipes showed little discrimination between plant species: larvae aggressively fed and completed development, and the resulting females (F1 generation) oviposited viable eggs on most plant species regardless of origin. These results indicate that L. flavipes is not sufficiently host-specific for further consideration as a biocontrol agent of exotic Ludwigia spp. in the USA and further testing is not warranted.


1987 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 850-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Vannacci ◽  
G. E. Harman

Forty-two microorganisms were tested as biological control agents against Alternaria raphani and A. brassicicola. Tests were conducted for in vitro antagonistic ability, for ability to control the pathogens on naturally infected seeds germinated on moistened blotters, and in planting mix in growth chamber studies, and for their ability to reduce pod infection. The organisms tested were obtained from cruciferous seeds or were strains already identified as being effective against soil-borne Pythium species. The blotter test indicated that six organisms increased both the number of healthy seedlings and the number of seedlings produced from A. raphani infected radish seeds. An additional seven strains improved either germination or increased the number of healthy seedlings. Twenty-nine organisms increased the number of healthy cabbage seedlings from A. brassicicola infected seeds, but total germination was not modified by any treatment. Experiments in planting mix showed that five antagonists (Chaetomium globosum, two strains of Trichoderma harzianum, T. koningii, and Fusarium sp.) increased the number of healthy plants in both radish samples tested, while four additional antagonists provided a significant increase in only one of the samples tested. The five antagonists that consistently increased numbers of healthy radish seedlings also decreased pod infection by A. raphani. None were as effective as iprodrone, however. Several effective antagonists were found to be mycoparasitic against Alternaria spp. Some strains of Trichoderma previously found to be effective against Pythium spp. were also effective against Alternaria spp., indicating that these strains have a wide host range.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Susan A. Wineriter-Wright ◽  
Melissa C. Smith ◽  
Mark A. Metz ◽  
Jeffrey R. Makinson ◽  
Bradley T. Brown ◽  
...  

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia and is invasive in South Florida and Hawai’i, USA. During surveys of R. tomentosa in Hong Kong from 2013–2018 for potential biological control agents, we collected larvae of the stem borer, Casmara subagronoma. Larvae were shipped in stems to a USDA-ARS quarantine facility where they were reared and subjected to biology studies and preliminary host range examinations. Casmara subagronoma is the most recent Casmara species to be described from males collected in Vietnam and Indonesia. Because the original species description was based on only two male specimens, we also provide a detailed description of the female, egg, larva, and pupa. Finally, we conducted preliminary host range trials utilizing Myrtus communis, Myrcianthes fragrans, and Camellia sinensis. Casmara subagronoma emerged from M. fragrans, a Florida-native shrub, and larvae were able to survive in non-target stems for over a year (>400 days). Based on these findings and difficulty in rearing, we do not believe C. subagronoma is a suitable insect for biological control of R. tomentosa at this time, but may warrant further study. This investigation also illustrates the importance of host surveys for conservation and taxonomic purposes.


2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1430-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Frye ◽  
J. Hough-Goldstein ◽  
J.-H. Sun

1969 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. S. Harley

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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