Florida Entomologist (2008) 91, 121-123

W.A. Overholt, R. Diaz, L. Markle and J. Medal (2008)
Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) does not feed on Jamaican nightshade Solanum jamaicense (Solanaceae)
Florida Entomologist 91 (1), 121-123
Abstract: Jamaican nightshade has been in Florida for at least 77 years, but is considered rare and only found in 4 counties in the central peninsula. However, there are many examples of long lag periods between the time an exotic plant arrives at a new location, and the time it spreads and becomes highly invasive (Sakai et al. 2001). Locally dense populations of Jamaican nightshade in hammock areas in Saint Lucie and Osceola counties suggest that the plant is adapted to at least some habitats in Florida, and could eventually spread to similar habitats and become a serious exotic invader. The current study demonstrated that G. boliviana, a biological control agent established in Florida for control of tropical soda apple, does not utilize Jamaican nightshade for feeding or oviposition. If Jamaican nightshade becomes a more serious invasive weed in the future, it may be possible to identify host specific natural enemies from its native range.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): William A. Overholt, Rodrigo Diaz, Julio C. Medal

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

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Gratiana boliviana (weed bioagent)