Abstract
Fifteen years of field tests were conducted in California on 1,200 plots infested with the annual puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.) in order to examine the effect of 2 introduced weevils,Microlarinus lareynii (Jacquelin du Val) andM. lypriformis Wollaston (Col.: Curculionidae), on puncturevine. Since 5 of the 6 series of plots marked a substantial reduction in viable seed production and puncturevine coverage, it is suggested that the 2 introduced weevils curtailed the pucturevine population's capacity to compensate in the natural situation and significantly contributed to the decline in puncturevine density.
Résumé
Des essais de terrain ont été effectués, pendant 15 ans, en Californie, dans 1.200 parcelles infestées par la mauvaise herbe annuelle, la tribule (Tribulus terrestris L.), afin d'éprouver l'effet de 2 charançons introduits,Microlarinus lareynii (Jacquelin du Val) etM. lypriformis (Wollaston) (Col.: Curculionidae). Du fait que 5 des 6 séries de parcelles ont présenté une diminution substantielle de la production en graines viables et de la surface couverte par la tribule, on suggère que les 2 charançons introduits ont restreint la capacité de récupération de la population de tribule dans les conditions naturelles et ont contribué de façon significative à la réduction de la densité de cette mauvaise herbe.
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Huffaker, C.B., Hamai, J. & Nowierski, R.M. Biological control of puncturevine,Tribulus terrestris in california after twenty years of activity of introduced weevils. Entomophaga 28, 387–400 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372193
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372193