Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chamaesphecia doryliformis [Lep.: Sesiidae], a second root borer for the control ofRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia

  • Published:
Entomophaga Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The host-specificity and biology ofChamaesphecia doryliformis (Ochsenheimer) [Lep.: Sesiidae] are described and the insect is assessed for its potential as a biological control agent for weeds of the genusRumex (Polygonaceae) in Australia. The insect is found in the western Mediterranean region, chiefly in north Africa. Adults emerge from pupation in late spring to summer when they lay eggs. The larvae feed inside the roots of post-reproductive plants belonging to the subgeneraRumex andAcetosa. In host-specificity tests 1st instar larvae attacked only plants of thePolygonaceae. The insect was judged safe to release in Australia after assessing its level of host-specificity, and attributes of its biology which indicate that native AustralianPolygonaceae will not be endangered.

Résumé

La biologie et la spécificité deChamaesphecia doryliformis (Ochsenheimer) [Lep.: Sesiidae] sont décrites, et l'efficacité potentielle de cet insecte en tant qu'agent de lutte biologique contre les mauvaises herbes du genreRumex (Polygonaceae) en Australie est discutée. L'insecte est localisé dans la partie occidentale du bassin Méditerranéen, principalement en Afrique duNord. Les adultes apparaissent et pondent au printemps. Les larves se développent à l'intérieur des racines des plantes ayant déjà fleuri. Les plantes attaquées appartiennent aux sous-genresRumex etAcetosa. Au cours de tests de spécificité avec des larves du 1er stade, seules des plantes de la famille desPolygonaceae furent l'objet de dégâts. L'insecte fut jugé apte à être introduit en Australie après que l'étude de sa biologie et de sa spécificité eut démontré que lesPolygonaceae endémiques ne seraient pas menacées.

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 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumont, C. — 1922. Diagnoses de Lépidoptères nouveaux du Nord de l'Afrique. —Bull. Soc. Entomol. Fr., 1922, 215–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forster, W. &Wohlfahrt, T. A. — 1960. Die Schmetterlinge Mitteleuropas. Band III. Spinner und Schwärmer (Bombyces und Sphinges). —Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaede, M. — 1933. Familie:Aegeriidae. In: Die Gross-Schmetterlinge der Erde, I. Abteilung: Palaearktischen Fauna, 2 (Die palaearktischen Spinner und Schwärmer), Supplement (A. Seitz, ed.) —A. Kernen, Stuttgart, 229–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, J. B. &Duckworth, W. D. — 1981. Classification of the superfamilySesioidea [Lepidoptera: Ditrysia]. —Smith. Contr. Zool., No. 314, 1–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kralicek, M. — 1967. Zur bionomie des GlasflüglersChamaesphecia colpiformis (Staudinger, 1850) (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae). —Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov., 64, 236–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kralicek, M. — 1975. Zur Bionomie und Verbreitung einiger Glasflügler-Arten aus der Tschechoslowakei [Lepidoptera, Sesiidae]. —Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov., 72, 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lastuvka, A. &Lastuvka, Z. — 1980. On the bionomics of four European species ofSesiidae [Lepidoptera]. —Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov., 77, 424–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lastuvka, Z. &Spatenka, K. — 1984. [Morphologie und Bionomie nonChamaesphecia proximata (Staudinger, 1891) undCh. lanipes (Lederer, 1863) [Lepidoptera, Sesiidae]]. —Acta Univ. Agric. Fac. Agron., 32, 111–119. Taken fromRev. Appl. Entomol. (Ser. A.), 73, 530, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipthay, B. — 1961. Eine neueChamaesphecia-Art [Lepidoptera: Aegeriidae]. —Acta Zool. Acad. Scient. Hung., 7, 213–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Cerf, F. — 1906. Note sur les mœurs deSesia Doryliformis O. var.Ceriaeformis Luc. [Lépidopt.]. —Ann. Ass. Nat. Levallois-Perret, 12, 29–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGhie, D. A., Sprivulis, R., Dixon, F. F., Sawyer, G. J., McMullen, G. &Silcock, J. — 1963. Dock weed or pasture plant? —West. Aust. Dept. Agric. J. Agric., 24, 87–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naumann, C. M. &Schroeder, D. — 1980. Ein weiteres Zwillingsarten-paar Mitteleuropäischer Sesiiden:Chamaesphecia tenthrediniformis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) undChamaesphecia empiformis (Esper, 1783) [Lepidoptera, Sesiidae]. —Z. Arb. Osterr. Entomol., 32, 29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Popescu-Gorj, A., Niculescu, E. &Alexinschi, A. — 1958. Fauna Republicii Populare Romine. Insecta Vol. 11, Fascicula 1, Lepidoptera Familia Aegeriidae. —Acad. Repub. Pop. Rom., Bucharest.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pussard, R. — 1961. Biocénose des lavandes. —3. Un hôte ignoré: la sésie,Pyropteron (Chamaesphecia) aerifrons Zeller. —C. R. Acad. Agric. Fr., 47, 951–953.

    Google Scholar 

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

  • 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. Host-specificity of a root borer, Bembecia chrysidiformis [Lep.: Sesiidae], a potential control agent forRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia. —Entomophaga, 36, 235–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tosevske, I. — 1986. Morphology and bionomics of theChamaesphecia schidtiiformis (Freyer, 1836) andChamaesphecia doleriformis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1846) and bionomics ofBembecia leucomelaena (Zeller, 1847) (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae).] —Fragm. Balc. Mus. Macedonici Sci. Nat., 12, 179–189. Taken from:Biol. Abstr., 85, 652, 1988, (abstract no. 91166).

    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. Chamaesphecia doryliformis [Lep.: Sesiidae], a second root borer for the control ofRumex spp. [Polygonaceae] in Australia. Entomophaga 36, 245–251 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374560

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374560

Ked-Words

Mots Clés

Search

Navigation