Biocontrol Science and Technology (1997) 7, 645-656

T.L. Woodburn (1997)
Establishment in Australia of Trichosirocalus horridus a biological control agent for Carduus nutans, and preliminary assessment of its impact on plant growth and reproductive potential
Biocontrol Science and Technology 7 (4), 645-656
Abstract: Testing of the crown weevil , Trichosirocalus horridus, against a range of Australian Aster aceae species confirmed its specificity to nodding thistle , Carduus nutans, and permission was granted for its release in Australia . It has established at the release site , and has been redistributed to other areas in eastern Australia . A field experiment designed to study the impact of this weevil on rosette growth and reproductive potential of the thistle is described . Results indicate that the weevil can kill some plants , and reduce rosette growth of survivors by 50% . The reproductive potential of the attacked plants , measured as seeds per plant , was reduced by 67% . The interaction of this biological control agent with two others already established in Australia , the receptacle weevil , Rhinocyllus conicus, and the seed fly , Urophora solstitialis, is discussed .
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Carduus nutans (weed)
Trichosirocalus horridus (weed bioagent)	Carduus nutans (weed)