Environmental Entomology (1981) 10, 462-467

Joseph K. Balciunas and Ted D. Center (1981)
Preliminary host specificity tests of a Panamanian Parapoynx as a potential biological control agent for hydrilla
Environmental Entomology 10 (4), 462-467
Abstract: The host range of a Panamanian moth, Parapoynx prob. rugosalis Möschler, a potential biological control agent against the recently introduced hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, was investigated by confining individual larvae (n = 535) in styrofoam cups with a fragment of one of 16 aquatic plant species. Feeding by the larvae was negligible on 10 species, and only hydrilla, coontail (Ceratophyllum sp.), and naiad (Najas sp.) showed heavy feeding damage. However, larvae feeding on coontail had such high mortality (24% per day) that they probably would not do extensive damage to this plant in the field. Since these moths show a relatively narrow host range, the insect could be considered for importation into the United States.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Ted D. Center

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.
	Hydrilla verticillata (weed)		Panama
Parapoynx diminutalis (weed bioagent)	Hydrilla verticillata (weed)		Panama