Biocontrol Science and Technology (2012) 22, 477-489

Fernando Mc Kay, Marina Oleiro, Marcelo Diniz Vitorino and Gregory Wheeler (2012)
The leafmining Leurocephala schinusae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): not suitable for the biological control of Schinus terebinthifolius (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in continental USA
Biocontrol Science and Technology 22 (4), 477-489
Abstract: The host range of Leurocephala schinusae Davis and Mc Kay (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a serious environmental weed in the USA and elsewhere in the world. The host range was determined in the laboratory with adult no-choice oviposition (Argentina and USA) and larval development tests (USA). Seventeen plant species in ten genera were selected based on taxonomic relatedness to S. terebinthifolius, economic importance, and availability. Additional information was obtained by sampling foliage of S. terebinthifolius and six other South American native Anacardiaceae species in north-eastern Argentina. In the laboratory, except for Lithrea molleoides and Spondias mombin, all of the tested species were accepted for oviposition with a marked preference for Rhus aromatica. Incipient mines successfully developed into complete mines, pupae and adults on R. aromatica, Rhus copallinum, Schinus molle, Schinus lentiscifolius and S. terebinthifolius. In the field, although L. schinusae showed a clear preference for S. terebinthifolius, the host range, as determined by samples of host use in the native range, included three other Schinus species (S. lentiscifolius, Schinus longifolius, Schinus weinmannifolius) and one Astronium species (Astronium balansae). In conclusion, L. schinusae will not be considered for the biological control of S. terebinthifolius in continental US. However, the utilisation of this species in other infested areas such as Hawaii and Australia should be further 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
Database assignments for author(s): Fernando Mc Kay

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction
non-target effects/fate in environm.

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schinus terebinthifolius (weed)
Leurocephala schinusae (weed bioagent)	Schinus terebinthifolius (weed)