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Host specificity and biology ofMegacyllene mellyi [Col.: Cerambycidae] introduced into australia for the biological control ofBaccharis halimifolia [Compositae]

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Abstract

Biology and host plant specificity of the stem boring cerambycidMegacyllene mellyi (Chevrolat) were studied in Brazil to determine its suitability for introduction into Australia for control of the shrubBaccharis halimifolia L. Multiple choice host preference testing of plants related toBaccharis, of desirable plants from a range of plant families, and of the host plants of otherMegacyllene species, showed thatM. mellyi was restricted toBaccharis spp. It was introduced into Australia in 1975 and released in 1978. Recoveries were made 3 years after release and some stems were killed, although damage was slight relative to the number ofB. halimifolia plants in the release area.

Résumé

La biologie et la spécificité du cerambycide foreur des tiges,Megacyllene mellyi (Chevrolat) ont été étudiées au Brésil afin de déterminer ses aptitudes à l'introduction en Australie pour lutter contre l'arbusteBaccharis halimifolia L. Des essais de préférence entre de multiples plantes voisines deBaccharis, appartenant à toute une série de familles végétales, et des plantes-hôtes pour d'autres espèces demegacyllene ont montré queM. mellyi est inféodé auxBaccharis spp. Il a été introduit en Australie en 1975 et lâché en 1978. On l'a recherché 3 ans après le lâcher et observé quelques tiges mortes, mais les dégâts étaient relativement faibles par rapport au nombre deB. halimifolia dans la zone du lâcher.

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  1. The Alan Fletcher Research Station, Queensland Department of Lands, Brisbane, Australia

    P. J. McFadyen

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  1. P. J. McFadyen
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McFadyen, P.J. Host specificity and biology ofMegacyllene mellyi [Col.: Cerambycidae] introduced into australia for the biological control ofBaccharis halimifolia [Compositae] . Entomophaga 28, 65–71 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372098

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