Host range tests reveal Emphasis Type="Italic"Pa

Authors: Veronica Manrique Rodrigo Diaz Todd Condon W A Overholt

Publish Date: 2014/06/29

Volume: 59, Issue: 6, Pages: 761-770

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Abstract

The most critical step during a weed biological control program is determination of a candidate agent’s host range Despite rigorous protocols and extensive testing there are still concerns over potential nontarget effects following field releases With the objective to improve risk assessment in biological control nochoice and choice testing followed by a multiple generation study were conducted on the leafdefoliator Paectes longiformis Pogue Lepidoptera Euteliidae This moth is being investigated as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi Sapindales Anacardiaceae which is one of the worst invasive plant species in Florida USA Results from nochoice testing showed higher larval survival on S terebinthifolia 48  and its close relative Schinus molle L 47  whereas lower survival was obtained on six nontarget species 25  When given a choice P longiformis females preferred to lay eggs on the target weed but oviposition also occurred on four nontarget species An improved performance on the native Rhus aromatica Aiton was found when insects were reared exclusively on this nontarget species for one or two generations Results from host range testing suggest that this moth is oligophagous but has a preference for the target weed Nontarget effects found during multiple generation studies indicate that P longiformis should not be considered as a biological control agent of S terebinthifoliaThe authors are grateful to Amy Dubois Emily Westermeier and Elizabeth Calise University of Florida Florida USA for their help rearing the insects and plant maintenance We also thank our collaborator in Brazil Marcelo Vitorino Universidade Regional de Blumenau Brazil for help during foreign explorations In addition we thank the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis IBAMA for providing the export permits Finally we thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for providing financial support for these studies

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