Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Host-specificity of a root borer,Bembecia chrysidiformis [Lep.: Sesiidae], a potential control agent forRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia

  • Published:
Entomophaga Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bembecia chrysidiformis (Esper) [Lep.: Sesiidae] was examined for its natural history and specificity toRumex spp. (Polygonaceae) which are weeds in Australia. Adults of this southern European insect appear in late spring to summer. Eggs are laid on the dried, seed bearing stems of perennialRumex plants. The larvae tunnel inside the root during summer through to the next spring. In nature, the larvae are round inRumex species of the subgeneraRumex andAcetosa. In host-specificity tests with 1st instar larvae, the roots of a number of genera within thePolygonaceae were attacked. Larvae died on a range of plants from other families except inPersea americana Miller(Lauraceae), Helianthemum nummularium (L.) Miller (Cistaceae) andQuercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) where larvae fed on the stems. The insect was judged safe for release in Australia by assessing aspects of its biology, its known host plants, and the lack of reported attack on other plants.

Résumé

Bembecia chrysidiformis (Esper) [Lep.: Sesiidae] a été étudiée pour ses possibilités de lutte contre les mauvaises herbesRumex spp. (Polygonaceae) en Australie. Les adultes de cet insecte sud-européen apparaissent entre la fin du printemps et l'été. Les œufs sont pondus sur les tiges florales des plantes deRumex spp. et les larves se développent dans les racines jusqu'au printemps suivant. Dans la nature on trouve des larves dans les plantes des sous-genresRumex etAcetosa. Dans les tests de spécificité avec les larves du premier stade, un certain nombre de genres au sein de la famille desPolygonaceae furent attaqués. Les larves ne survécurent pas sur les plantes appartenant à d'autres familles, sauf dansPersea americana Miller(Lauraceae), Helianthemum nummularium (L.) Miller (Cistaceae) etQuercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) où les larves attaquent la tige. Cet insecte fut jugé apte à être introduit en Australie après étude de sa biologie, de ses plantes-hôtes ainsi que de l'absence de cas d'attaque signalés sur d'autres espèces.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, J. M. — 1974. Preliminary observations and investigations on docks (Rumex spp.) in Western Australia. —West. Aust. Dept. Agric. Tech. Bull., No., 23, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. M. — 1975. Docks in Western Australia. —J. Dept. Agric. West. Aust., 16, 67–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartel, M. — 1912. Familie:Aegeriidae [Sesiidae]. In: Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde, I. Abteilung: Die Gross-Schmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, 2 (Die palaearktischen Spinner und Schwärmer) (A. Seitz, ed.). —A. Kernen, Stuttgart, 375–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bournier, A. &Khial, B. — 1968.Dipsosphecia scopigera Scop., la Sésie du Sainfoin. —Ann. Epiph., 19, 235–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckler, W. — 1867. Description of the larva ofSesia chrysidiformis. —Entomol. Mon. Mag., 4, 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bytinski-Salz, H. &Sternlicht, M. — 1967. Insects associated with oaks (Quercus) in Israel. —Israel J. Entomol., 2, 107–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chrétien, P. — 1916. Contribution à la connaissance des Lépidoptères du Nord de l'Afrique. Notes biologiques et critiques. —Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr., 1916, 369–502.

  • Combellack, J. H. — 1973.Rumex spp. in pasture. —Proc. 2 nd Victorian Weeds Conf., 4, 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosskey, R. W. — 1973. A conspectus of theTachinidae [Diptera] of Australia, including keys to the supraspecific taxa and taxonomic and host catalogues. —Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. Entomol., Suppl. 21, 1–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Joannis, J. — 1901. Observations sur quelques espèces du genreSesia (Lépid.). —Bull. Soc. Entomol. Fr., 1901, 40–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duckworth, W. D. &Eichlin, T. D. — 1974. Clearwing moths of Australia and New Zealand [Lepïdoptera: Sesiidae]. —Smith. Contr. Zool., 180, 1–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fibiger, M. &Kristensen, N. P. — 1974. TheSesiidae [Lepidoptera] of Fennoscandia and Denmark. —Fauna Entomol. Scand., 2, 1–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, J. B. &Duckworth, W. D. — 1981. Classification of the superfamilySesioidea [Lepidoptera: Ditrysia]. —Smith. Contr. Zool., 314, 1–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howe, W. L. &Rhodes, A. M. — 1973. Host relationships of the squash vine borer,Melittia cucurbitae with species ofCucurbita. —Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 66, 266–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Cerf, F. — 1903. Histoire naturelle deSesia chrysidiformis Esp. —Ann. Ass. Nat. Levallois-Perret, 1903, 16–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Cerf, F. — 1911. Histoire naturelle deSesia hymenopteriformis Bell. —Ann. Ass. Nat. Levallois-Perret, 15/16, 11–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Cerf, F. — 1934. Lépidoptères nouveaux du Maroc. —Bull. Soc. Entomol. Fr., 39, 11–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabille, P. — 1866. Remarques et descriptions. —Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr., 4e Serie, 6, 556–564.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGhie, D. A., Sprivulis, R., Dixon, F. F., Sawyer, G. J., McMullen, G. &Silcock, J. — 1983. Dock weed or pasture plant? —West. Aust. Dept. Agric. J. Agric., 24, 87–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meek, E. G. — 1873. Hints as to the habits, etc., of the British species ofSesia. —Entomol. Mon. Mag., 10, 160–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyazaki, M. — 1979. An annotated list of insects feeding onRumex obtusifolius L. [Polygonaceae] in Japan. —Bull. Nat. Grassland Res. Inst., 14, 124–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, J. A. — 1980. Evolution of larval food preferences in microlepidoptera. —Ann. Rev. Entomol., 25, 133–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragusa, E. — 1922. LeAegeridae [Sesiidae] della Sicilia. —Boll. Lab. Zool. Agric. Portici, 16, 211–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rechinger, K. H. — 1984.Rumex [Polygonaceae] in Australia: a reconsideration. —Nuytsia, 5, 75–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rungs, C. E. E. — 1979. Catalogue raisonné des Lépidoptères du Maroc. Inventaire faunistique et observations écologiques. Tome 1. —Inst. Sci., Rabat, Serie Zoologie, No. 40.

  • Schroeder, D. — 1970. Studies on phytophagous insects ofEuphorbia spp.:Chamaesphecia empiformis (Esp.). In: Proc. I Int. Symp. Biol. Control Weeds, Delemont 1969 (F. J. Simmonds, ed.). —C.A.B., Slough, 49–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J. K. — 1985. Candidate insects for the biological control ofRumex pulcher. In: Proc. VI Int. Symp. Biol. Control Weeds, Vancouver 1984 (E. S. Delfosse, ed.). —Agric. Canada, 829–835.

  • Scott, J. K. &Sagliocco, J. L. — 1991.Chamaesphecia doryliformis (Ochsenheimer) [Lep.: Sesiidae], an additional root borer for the control ofRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia. —Entomophaga, 36, 245–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, N. R. — 1981. Exploration for biotic agents for the control ofRumex crispus. In: Proc. V. Int. Symp. Biol. Control Weeds, Brisbane 1980 (E. S. Delfosse, ed.). —CSIRO, Melbourne, 125–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wapshere, A. J. — 1974. A strategy for evaluating the safety of organisms for biological weed control. —Ann. Appl. Biol., 77, 201–211.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Entomology, CSIRO, Private Bag, P.O., 6014, Wembley, WA, Australia

    John K. Scott

  2. Biological Control Unit, CSIRO, 335 Av Abbé Paul Parguel, 34100, Montpellier, France

    J. -L. Sagliocco

Authors
  1. John K. Scott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. -L. Sagliocco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scott, J.K., Sagliocco, J.L. Host-specificity of a root borer,Bembecia chrysidiformis [Lep.: Sesiidae], a potential control agent forRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia. Entomophaga 36, 235–244 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374559

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374559

Key-Words

Mots Clés

Search

Navigation