CEUTORHYNCHUS LITURA (F.) (COL. CURCULIONIDAE), A POTENTIAL INSECT FOR THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF THISTLE, CIRSIUM ARVENSE (L.) SCOP., IN CANADA

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zwölfer ◽  
P. Harris

The suitability of Ceutorhynchus litura for the biological control of Cirsium arvense in Canada was evaluated. It is concluded that introduction of C. litura is justified on the grounds that its feeding is restricted to a group of three systematically related genera, Cirsium–Silybum–Carduus. This host pattern is highly stable, and probably prepleistocene in origin, and does not include any economic plant species. C. litura is compatible with phytophagous insects already present on C. arvense in Canada and its establishment should not prejudice the introduction of other European insects against the weed. C. litura is, however, subject to a number of ecological restrictions and is only likely to be an effective control agent in cultivated fields where it can build up a high density over several years.

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Harris

The flea beetle Altica carduorum Guer. could be reared only on plants of the closely related genera Cirsium, Silybum, and Carduus. The relative acceptability of the different species within this group was correlated with the closeness of their taxonomic relationships to Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. It is concluded that, in the field, the beetle will be restricted to attacking a few species of Cirsium and will not endanger any economic plant in North America. Thus it is a suitable insect to be used for the biological control of C. arvense in North America. Results of preliminary liberations of A. carduorum are insufficient to indicate if it will exert effective control of the weed in Canada.


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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jess ◽  
J.F.W. Bingham

AbstractIn small-scale experiments, the predatory mites, Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestrini) and H. miles Berlese, applied at 700 mites m−2, and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) applied at 3 × 10−6 nematodes m−2 controlled sciarids and phorids in mushroom compost and casing substrates. For both mite species, earliest application to the growing substrate following sciarid infestation reduced sciarid emergence. In contrast, later application of each biological control agent provided more effective control of phorid emergence. The behaviour of adult mites suggested that H. aculeifer were more positively geotactic than H. miles although both species could penetrate compost and casing substrates to a depth of 2–12 cm. A majority of S. feltiae nematodes resided at a depth of 2–4 cm in both substrate types. Independent application of H. aculeifer provided more comprehensive control of sciarids and phorids than the other biological agents studied, owing to its better dispersal within compost and casing, and ability to attack larvae of differing ages.


1971 ◽  
Vol 103 (12) ◽  
pp. 1653-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Larry Richardson ◽  
Dean E. Nelson ◽  
Alan C. York ◽  
George G. Gyrisco

AbstractTwo hymenopterous parasites Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) and Tetrastichus incertus (Ratzeburg) parasitized 16.5% of their principal host the alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) in 1970. A total of 2703 parasites was reared and released in localities where their activity was reported low or non-existent prior to this study. Maximum parasitism by T. incertus and B. curculionis occurred later than periods of peak weevil larvae activity; however, T. incertus emerged earlier in several areas possibly as a natural adjustment of its life cycle, and B. curculionis persisted in multiple non-diapausing generations until late fall. The braconid parasite Microtonus aethiops (Nees) shows promise in becoming a very effective control agent through its ability to prevent weevil oviposition now that it is rapidly dispersing throughout New York. Having parasites established statewide through both releases and natural dispersal has lowered weevil populations below critical levels, and will increase parasite effectiveness in dealing with future alfalfa weevil generations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 258-262
Author(s):  
B. Smith ◽  
S.G. Casonato ◽  
A. Noble ◽  
G. Bourd?t

Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a problematic weed particularly in permanent pastures The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has potential as a bioherbicide to control this weed but its variable efficacy in historical field trials suggest that there are differences in susceptibility to S sclerotiorum within the species To test this hypothesis the responses of 32 New Zealand provenances of C arvense to a foliageapplied myceliumonbarley preparation of S sclerotiorum were compared under common conditions Significant differences between provenances were found supporting the hypothesis that there is variation within C arvense in New Zealand in its susceptibility to S sclerotiorum Further work will examine differences in the efficacy of fungal isolates against different C arvense provenances


Author(s):  
Евгений Викторович Шиков

Древесная улитка Arianta arbustorum, в последние десятилетия распространившаяся в центре Русской равнины, стала опасным вредителем сельского хозяйства. Заселяя природные биотопы, она вытесняет аборигенные виды как растений, так и моллюсков. Эффективные меры борьбы с A. arbustorum не разработаны. Даётся оценка жизнедеятельности водяной полёвки Arvicola amphibius по отношению к древесной улитке. Плотность A. arbustorum в саду около нор водяной полёвки 2433 экз/м2, а на удалении 5 метров от нор - 5231 экз/м2. Разница статистически достоверна. Показано, что поедание водяной полёвкой древесных улиток локально снижает их плотность. Водяная полёвка выступает как природный агент биологического контроля A. arbustorum, поддерживающий видовое многообразие в природе. Установлено, что осенью 65% всех взрослых A. arbustorum закапываются в землю, и уже недоступны для поедания водяными полёвками. Кормовые запасы водяной полёвки на зиму из моркови и картофеля обнаружены в 45 м от ближайшего огорода. The Wood snail Arianta arbustorum, which in recent decades has spread in the center of the Russian Plain, has become a dangerous pest of agriculture. Settling natural biotopes, it crowds out indigenous species of both plants and mollusks. Effective control measures against A. arbustorum have not been developed. Here we assess the activity of the water vole Arvicola amphibius in relation to the Wood snail. The density of A. arbustorum in the garden near the water vole burrows is 2433 ind./m2, while at a distance of 5 meters from the burrows it becomes 5231 ind./ m2. The difference is statistically significant. Water vole eating wood snails locally reduce their density. Voles thus act as a natural biological control agent of A. arbustorum, preserving species diversity. In the fall around 65% of A. arbustorum adults burrow into the ground and are no longer available for water voles. Winter fodder stocks of a Water vole with carrots and potatoes were found 45 m from the nearest garden.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Kerry

The nematophagous fungus, Verticillium chlamydosporium, has considerable potential as a biological control agent for root-knot nematodes on a range of crops. The fungus is a general facultative parasite that attacks the eggs of several nematode species. The biology of the fungus is reviewed and the need for a detailed understanding of its ecology for its rational use as a biological control agent is highlighted. Isolates of the fungus must colonize the rhizosphere to be effective control agents. Plants differ in their ability to support the fungus and greatest control is achieved on those cultivars that support abundant growth of the fungus but produce only limited galling in response to nematode attack. On such plants, most eggs produced by nematodes are exposed to parasitism by this nematophagous fungus in the rhizosphere. Key words: biological control, nematophagous fungi, root-knot nematodes, Verticillium chlamydosporium.


Author(s):  
Eunice W. Githae

Abstract Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål) is one of the most serious agricultural pests in the world due to its voracity, speed of reproduction, and range of flight. We discuss the current state of knowledge on its biological control using microorganisms and botanical extracts. Metarhizium flavoviride was among the first fungus to be recognized as a bio-control agent against desert locust in the laboratory and field conditions. Nevertheless, its oil formulation adversely affected non-target organisms, hence led to further research on other microorganisms. Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum (syn. Metarhizium acridum) is an environmentally safer bio-pesticide that has no measurable impact on non-target organisms. However, there are various shortcomings associated with its use in desert locust control as highlighted in this review. Bacterial pathogens studied were from species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Serratia. Botanical extracts of 27 plant species were tested against the locust but showed varied results. Azadirachta indica and Melia volkensii were the most studied plant species, both belonging to family Meliaceae, which is known to have biologically active limonoids. Out of the 20 plant families identified, Apiaceae was the most represented with a frequency of 21%. However, only crude botanical extracts were used and therefore, the active ingredients against desert locust were not identified. Through a comprehensive research, an integrated pest management strategy that incorporates these bio-controls would be a realistic option to control desert locust infestations.


Weed Science ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Maw

The host specificity of mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci L.) [Lepidoptera: Caradrinidae (Noctuidae)] and its suitability as a biological control agent of the common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) (Scrophulariaceae) were investigated. Thirty-six plant species in 10 families were tested but sustained feeding by the insect and consistent development occurred only on mullein species. Nibbling on plants other than on mulleins did not prolong the life of the insect significantly longer than larvae without food. Thus, the mullein moth is considered to be a safe agent to release against mullein.


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