Bulletin of Entomological Research (1989) 79, 529-535

A.D. Wright, N.P. Boland and J.D. Kerr (1989)
Changes in leaf hardness and moisture content of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, following feeding by NeocheTIna eichhorniae Warner (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 79 (4), 529-535
Abstract: Feeding by adults of Neochetina eichhorniae Warner on water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, significantly increased the hardness of the lamina of the youngest leaf and the petioles of the youngest three leaves, while the moisture content of the petioles and laminae was significantly reduced. However, variations in leaf hardness did not significantly affect feeding by the weevils, and leaf age was considered to have a greater effect. The results help explain field observations of the relative abundances of N. eichhorniae and the pyralid Sameodes albiguttalis (Warren), which also attacks water hyacinth.
(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): A.D. (Tony) Wright

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.
	Pontederia crassipes (weed)		Australia (NT+QLD)
Neochetina eichhorniae (weed bioagent)	Pontederia crassipes (weed)		Australia (NT+QLD)
Niphograpta albiguttalis (weed bioagent)	Pontederia crassipes (weed)		Australia (NT+QLD)