Florida Entomologist (2002) 85, 599-610

J.P. Cuda, P.E. Parker, B.R. Coon, F.E. Vasquez and J.M. Harrison (2002)
Evaluation of exotic Solanum spp. (Solanales: Solanaceae) in Florida as host plants for the leaf beetles Leptinotarsa defecta And L. texana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Florida Entomologist 85 (4), 599-610
Abstract: Tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum Dunal, wetland nightshade, S. tampicense Dunal, and turkey berry, S. torvum Swartz, are considered three of Florida's most invasive plant species. These nonnative perennial broadleaf weeds are disrupting native plant communities in agricultural areas and natural ecosystems. The lack of natural enemies in Florida is thought to be an important factor contributing to their invasiveness. The North American leaf beetles Leptinotarsa defecta (Stål) and L. texana (Schaeffer) that attack silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., a native congener of the three nonnative solanums, were evaluated for their potential as biological control agents. The suitability of tropical soda apple, wetland nightshade and turkey berry as host plants for the native Leptinotarsa beetles was studied in a quarantine laboratory using single plant and paired plant tests. Neonate larvae of L. defecta developed to the pupal stage only on their natural host plant silverleaf night-shade. Feeding damage on turkey berry and wetland nightshade was negligible and no feeding occurred on tropical soda apple. In contrast, development and reproduction of L. texana on the nonnative turkey berry were comparable with silverleaf nightshade. These results suggest the nonnative turkey berry may be included in the potential host range of the native silverleaf nightshade beetle L. texana.

Solanum viarum Dunal, S. tampicense Dunal, y S. torvum Swartz se consideran como tres de las especies de plantas más invasoras en Florida. Estas malezas perennes no nativas de hoja ancha están perturbando las comunidades de plantas en áreas agrícolas y ecosistemas naturales. Se piensa que la falta de enemigos naturales en Florida es un factor importante que contribuye a su habilidad para ser invasoras. Se evaluaron los escarabajos norteamericanos, Leptinotarsa defecta (Stål) y L. texana (Schaeffer) que atacan las hojas de Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., una planta nátiva en el mismo género de los tres solanums no nativos, para determinar su potencial como agentes de control biológico. Se estudió si las plantas de Solanum viarum, S. tampicense y S. torvum podrian ser hospederos adecuados de los esca-rabajos nativos Leptinotarsus en el laboratorio de la cuarentena usando pruebas de plantas individuales y en pares. Se desarrollaron las larvas recién nacidas de L. defecta hasta la étapa de pupa solamente en su planta hospedera natural Solanum elaeagnifolium. El daño de alimentación en el S. torvum y S.tampicense fué insignificante y no se alimentó de Solanum viarum. Al contrario, el desarrollo y la reprodución de L. texana sobre S. torvum no nativo, fué similar con los de S. elaeagnifolium. Estos resultados suguieron que se puede incluir S. torvum no nativo entre los hospederos potenciales del escarabajo de Solanum elaeagnifolium no nativo, L. texana.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): James P. Cuda

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Solanum viarum (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)
	Solanum tampicense (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)
	Solanum torvum (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)
Leptinotarsa texana (weed bioagent)	Solanum torvum (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)
Leptinotarsa defecta (weed bioagent)			U.S.A. (SE)