Predator Interference with the Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae) for the Biological Control of Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly K. Crider
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Moth Population ◽  
Tyria Jacobaeae ◽  
Carpenter Ants ◽  
Ant Predation ◽  
Cinnabar Moth ◽  
Tansy Ragwort

AbstractQuantification of interference with biological control agents can provide support for anecdotal claims of success or failure of agent establishment and efficacy. This study was initiated because of observed predation of cinnabar moth larvae by carpenter ants when releasing larvae for the control of tansy ragwort, an invasive plant in Montana. Biotic and abiotic factors were compared among three sites with historically variable moth population establishment. Two experiments were developed to (1) observe and document insect activity, predation, or disappearance on tansy ragwort stems either protected or accessible to ants; and (2) quantify the effects of ant exclusion on herbivory of tansy ragwort. Site comparisons indicated that ant colony density was highest at the driest of three sites, and, interestingly, no ant colonies were detected at the site with higher observed numbers of moth larvae and adults and lower densities of tansy ragwort. Available substrate (logs and stumps) for ant colonization did not differ between the three sites. In the ant exclusion experiments, a larger number of larvae were missing on plants accessible to ants (63%) compared with plants where ants were excluded (39%) after 36 h. Direct observation of predation of larvae by carpenter ants accounted for 9% of missing larvae on stems accessible to ants. Larvae were able to consume 81% of original flowers or buds on ant-excluded stems, compared with 18% consumption on ant-accessible stems, suggesting that ant predation could limit the efficacy of cinnabar moth larvae. These results provide one of many possible explanations for the anecdotal observations of large, persistent populations of cinnabar moths in moist areas. This work emphasizes the importance of post-release observation and monitoring to detect and, ideally, quantify factors to support anecdotal perceptions regarding the fate and subsequent efficacy of insect biological-control agents.

Fungi as biological control agents of arthropods of agricultural and medical importance

Parasitology ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Hall ◽  
B. Papierok
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Organic Pollution ◽  
Verticillium Lecanii ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Medical Importance ◽  
Terrestrial Insects

SUMMARYThere are many species of fungi attacking terrestrial and aquatic insects of agricultural and medical importance. Of these, few species have received much attention with a view to their use as biological control agents. The mechanisms of infection have been comparatively well studied, although many questions remain to be answered. The knowledge so far obtained has shed some light on the reasons for host specificity. Temperature, above all relative humidity, and their interactions are the most important physical factors influencing infection of terrestrial insects by entomopathogenic fungi and these are discussed in relation to epizootiological events. In aquatic environments, temperature, salinity and organic pollution are the important factors. In addition to these physical factors, numerous biotic factors at the level of the insect and the fungal pathogen influence both infection and spread of disease in insect populations. The complexity of the interactions of the biotic and abiotic factors makes it extremely difficult to study the influence of any one of these. Virulence of fungal pathogens and its measurement are discussed, together with the shortcomings of present bioassay systems; virtually no laboratory bioassay system exists which has been designed to yield data meaningful in the field. Mass-production techniques are described as are their inherent problems and those of formulation and storage. Finally, the achievements of fungal control of insects in the field are reviewed. Thus far, several species are mass-produced and are in widespread use, two of which,Verticillium lecaniiandHirsutella thompsonii, have been commercialized. More studies, ecological, fundamental and developmental are required in this field to realize fully the potential of other candidate fungi.

scholarly journals Rhizosphere and endophytic colonisation of ryegrass and sweet corn roots by the isolate Trichoderma atroviride LU132 at different soil pHs

2016 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 78-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Cripps-Guazzone ◽  
E.E. Jones ◽  
L.M. Condron ◽  
K.L. McLean ◽  
A. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Trichoderma Atroviride ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Corn Roots ◽  
Ph Range

The colonisation of plant roots by biological control agents is dependent on abiotic factors one of the most important being soil pH The rhizosphere and endophytic colonisation of ryegrass and sweet corn roots by the biological control agent Trichoderma atroviride LU132 were assessed in a pot experiment with nonsterile soil at three different pHs (55 65 and 75) T atroviride LU132 colonised the roots of both plants regardless of the soil pH with 113147 x 106 CFU/g of dry rhizosphere soil (DRS) for ryegrass and 136350x105 CFU/g DRS for sweet corn T atroviride LU132 was able to colonise both plants endophytically regardless of soil pH However the isolate was recovered from entire ryegrass roots but only from the upper parts of sweet corn roots These experiments demonstrated that T atroviride LU132 colonised the rhizosphere and roots within a soil pH range common to most NZ soils which is a desirable trait for biological control agents

The biology of Canadian weeds.: 96. Senecio jacobaea L.

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Bain
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Vegetative Reproduction ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Senecio Jacobaea ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Tyria Jacobaeae ◽  
Tansy Ragwort

Senecio jacobaea L. (tansy ragwort) is a roadside and pasture weed which was introduced into Canada in the 1850s. It is established in cool, wet areas, most commonly on the east and west coasts. The species is important economically because the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the foliage makes it toxic and the poisoning of livestock has resulted. Individuals produce dimorphic achenes which possess different dormancy and dispersal characters and are therefore able to establish in a wider range of habitats. Vegetative reproduction is common especially after damage to the plant. Control of the weed is achieved either through the application of hormone-like herbicides or by biological means. The establishment of the biological control agent, cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae L.), in populations has resulted in defoliation of individuals but has not resulted in effective control of the weed, except in eastern Canada. Key words: Tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea, biological control, pyrrolizidine alkaloids

scholarly journals Safety in New Zealand weed biocontrol a nationwide survey for impacts on nontarget plants

2004 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Paynter ◽  
S.V. Fowler ◽  
A.H. Gourlay ◽  
M.L. Haines ◽  
H.M. Harman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Exotic Plants ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Weed Biological Control ◽  
Weed Biocontrol ◽  
Tyria Jacobaeae

The safety record of weed biocontrol was questioned recently when examples of damage to nontarget plants were reported overseas Until now systematic investigations of nontarget feeding have not been performed in New Zealand Results of surveys looking for evidence of nontarget damage caused by 20 biological control agents released against weeds in New Zealand are presented Most agents (16) are apparently hostspecific However two species (Tyria jacobaeae and Phytomyza vitalbae) were recorded attacking native plants although their attack was very minor and predictable from hostrange testing performed prior to release For two other species Bruchidius villosus and Cydia succedana nontarget attack was not predicted from hostrange testing Larval feeding by these species was confined to mainly weedy exotic plants that are closely related to their target plants The reliability of hostspecificity testing and overall safety record of weed biological control in New Zealand are discussed

ESTABLISHMENT IN CANADA OF THE CINNABAR MOTH, TYRIA JACOBAEAE (LEPIDOPTERA: ARCTIIDAE) FOR CONTROLLING THE WEED SENECIO JACOBAEA

1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (9) ◽  
pp. 913-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Harris ◽  
A. T. S. Wilkinson ◽  
M. E. Neary ◽  
L. S. Thompson ◽  
D. Finnamore
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Senecio Jacobaea ◽  
Tyria Jacobaeae ◽  
Cinnabar Moth ◽  
Tansy Ragwort

AbstractThe cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae L., was established in the Atlantic provinces and British Columbia for the control of tansy ragwort. Establishment was difficult to obtain with imported stock: only two of 14 colonies survived, one on each coast. The rate of survival in these colonies increased with succeeding generations, and with stock from the regional colony eight of nine releases became established in Nova Scotia. Most of the established colonies increased until the ragwort was defoliated.

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