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Host range tests reveal Paectes longiformis is not a suitable biological control agent for the invasive plant Schinus terebinthifolia

BioControl volume 59, pages 761–770 (2014)Cite this article

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 non-target effects following field releases. With the objective to improve risk assessment in biological control, no-choice and choice testing followed by a multiple generation study were conducted on the leaf-defoliator, 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 no-choice testing showed higher larval survival on S. terebinthifolia (48 %) and its close relative Schinus molle L. (47 %), whereas lower survival was obtained on six non-target species (<25 %). When given a choice, P. longiformis females preferred to lay eggs on the target weed, but oviposition also occurred on four non-target species. An improved performance on the native Rhus aromatica Aiton was found when insects were reared exclusively on this non-target 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. Non-target effects found during multiple generation studies indicate that P. longiformis should not be considered as a biological control agent of S. terebinthifolia.

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Acknowledgements

The 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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Control Research, Containment Laboratory, University of Florida, 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL, 34945, USA

    Veronica Manrique, Rodrigo Diaz & W. A. Overholt

  2. University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA

    Todd Condon

Authors
  1. Veronica Manrique
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  2. Rodrigo Diaz
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  3. Todd Condon
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  4. W. A. Overholt
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Correspondence to Veronica Manrique.

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Manrique, V., Diaz, R., Condon, T. et al. Host range tests reveal Paectes longiformis is not a suitable biological control agent for the invasive plant Schinus terebinthifolia . BioControl 59, 761–770 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9591-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9591-x

Keywords

  • biological control
  • Risk assessment
  • Non-target effects
  • Anacardiaceae
  • Euteliidae

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