Southwestern Entomologist (2009) 34, 359-376
John A. Goolsby, David Spencer and Linda Whitehand (2009)
Pre-release assessment of impact on Arundo donax by the candidate biological control agents Tetramesa romana (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) and Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) under quarantine conditions
Southwestern Entomologist 34 (4), 359-376
Abstract: Impact by two potential biological control agents, Tetramesa romana Walker and Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Leonardi), on the invasive weed, giant reed, Arundo donax L., was assessed in a quarantine greenhouse before release. Tetramesa romana alone and T. romana plus R. donacis significantly damaged A. donax by suppressing leaf and stem lengths and stimulated production of side branches during a 12-week period. R. donacis plus T. romana only slightly more impacted the plant than did T. romana alone, most likely because of the longer life cycle of R. donacis that may require a longer period of time to cause measurable damage. No negative interactions were observed between the two candidate biological control agents. Therefore, based on their potential to significantly damage A. donax under greenhouse conditions and their narrow host ranges, T. romana and R. donacis are suitable candidates for biological control of this invasive reed grass in North America.
(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): John A. Goolsby
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Arundo donax (weed) | U.S.A. (mid S) | |||
Tetramesa romana (weed bioagent) | Arundo donax (weed) | |||
Rhizaspidiotus donacis (weed bioagent) | Arundo donax (weed) |