Florida Entomologist (2013) 96, 278-279

Paul D. Pratt, Min B. Rayamajhi, Philip W. Tipping and Ted D. Center (2013)
Larval dispersal of the weed biological control agent Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Florida Entomologist 96 (1), 278-279
Abstract: The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosa is a biological control agent of the exotic tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida, USA. Evidence suggests that the last instar drops from the canopy to the forest floor to pupate in the soil or leaf litter. This dispersal method preempts weevil population persistence in permanently flooded habitats, where some populations of the exotic weed occur. In these habitats, sustained weevil herbivory is dependent upon repeated colonization events.
(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): Paul D. Pratt, Min B. Rayamajhi, Ted D. Center

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.
	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)
Oxyops vitiosa (weed bioagent)	Melaleuca quinquenervia (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)