Biocontrol Science and Technology (2017) 27, 703-722

Ganesh P. Bhattarai, Rodrigo Diaz, Veronica Manrique, William W. Turechek, Lyle Buss, Bernardette Stange and William A. Overholt (2017)
Diversity and impact of herbivorous insects on Brazilian peppertree in Florida prior to release of exotic biological control agents
Biocontrol Science and Technology 27 (6), 703-722
Abstract: Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is a South American plant that is highly invasive in Florida. The impact of insect herbivores on the performance of Brazilian peppertree was evaluated at two locations in Florida using an insecticide exclusion method. Although 38 species of insect herbivores were collected on the invasive tree, there were no differences in growth or reproductive output of insecticide protected and unprotected trees, providing evidence that insect feeding had no measurable impact on tree performance. The majority of insects collected on Brazilian peppertree were generalists, and several were serious agricultural pests.
(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): William W. Turechek, William A. Overholt, Rodrigo Diaz

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schinus terebinthifolius (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)