Pre‐release evaluation of Heikertingerella sp. as a potential biocontrol agent for Tecoma stans in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lulama Madire ◽  
David Simelane ◽  
Terence Olckers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

Insecticidal control of Melanterius servulus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Paraserianthes lophantha (Leguminosae), in commercial seed orchards of black wattle, Acacia mearnsii(Leguminosae)

1992 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Donnelly ◽  
F.J. Calitz ◽  
I.M.R. Van Aarde
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Acacia Mearnsii ◽  
Pyrethroid Insecticides ◽  
Seed Orchards ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Black Wattle ◽  
Two Stages

AbstractA seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus Pascoe, is considered suitable for release against the weed Paraserianthes lophantha. However, host specificity tests have indicated that M. servulus may also develop on the seeds of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle), which is both a weed and a crop plant in South Africa. Seed orchards, which supply the black wattle industry, may therefore need to be protected. The aim of this study was to determine whether the two pyrethroid insecticides presently used in wattle plantations against the wattle bagworm (Kotochalia junodi Heylaerts (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)) are effective against M. servulus. Since M. servulus has not yet been released in South Africa, field trials were not possible, and evidence that black wattle seed orchards can be protected from M. servulus was obtained indirectly, in two stages. Firstly, field trials showed that the two insecticides effectively protect the weed Acacia longifolia from a closely related weevil, Melanterius ventralis Lea, which has already been established as a biocontrol agent. Secondly, quarantine laboratory trials demonstrated that M. ventralis and M. servulus showed similar avoidance responses and similar levels of mortality when exposed to the insecticides. All the evidence indicates that the chemical protection of A. mearnsii seed orchards from M. servulus is possible.

scholarly journals The risk to Solanum spp in New Zealand from Gargaphia decoris (Hem Tingidae) a potential biocontrol agent against woolly nightshade S mauritianum

2002 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 90-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Withers ◽  
T. Olckers ◽  
S.V. Fowler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Woolly Nightshade ◽  
Solanum Americanum ◽  
Solanum Mauritianum ◽  
Host Specificity Testing ◽  
Black Beauty ◽  
Solanum Laciniatum

Woolly nightshade Solanum mauritianum (Solanaceae) is a serious environmental and forestry weed in New Zealand The leaffeeding lace bug Gargaphia decoris (Tingidae) was released in South Africa in 1999 after rigorous host specificity testing revealed that natives and crops in the genus Solanum were unlikely to be attacked All three New Zealand native Solanum spp were similarly tested in South Africa Neither Solanum laciniatum Solanum aviculare (poroporo) nor Solanum americanum (smallflowered nightshade) supported feeding by nymphs or adults of G decoris in nochoice tests During multichoice tests 97 of adults selected S mauritianum while 2 selected eggplant cv Black Beauty (S melongena) Oviposition occurred only on S mauritianum The risks of nontarget attack are therefore low enough to warrant further evaluation of G decoris as a biocontrol agent in New Zealand

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