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The effect of Lantana camara leaf quality on the performance of Falconia intermedia

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Abstract

The sap-sucking mirid, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), released as a biological control agent of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa in 1999, has established at only one site. We investigated the role of induced plant defences as a possible explanation for this lack of establishment. F. intermedia inoculated plants from the five test varieties significantly increased the toughness of their new leaves compared to control plants. Additionally, plants from three L. camara varieties significantly increased leaf trichome density on new leaves after prolonged feeding by F. intermedia, significantly reducing F. intermedia oviposition, survival and feeding damage. The defensive responses were systemic and rapidly induced about eight weeks after insect feeding. We suggest that these leaf quality responses played a role in the non-establishment of F. intermedia in South Africa.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Charles Willemse, Nkosinathi Mazungula and Simon Aphane, Unathi and Nkosi-Nathi Heshula for field assistance and general assistance in the laboratory. Funding by National Research Foundation (NRF) and Working for Water (WfW) and Rhodes University is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    L. U. P. Heshula & M. P. Hill

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  1. L. U. P. Heshula
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  2. M. P. Hill
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Correspondence to L. U. P. Heshula.

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Handling Editor: John Scott

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Heshula, L.U.P., Hill, M.P. The effect of Lantana camara leaf quality on the performance of Falconia intermedia . BioControl 56, 925–933 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-011-9359-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-011-9359-5

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