Assessing the risks associated with the release of a flowerbud weevil, Anthonomus santacruzi, against the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum in South Africa

Olckers, T.

doi:10.1016/s1049-9644(03)00083-5

Cited by 31 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The suitability of non-target plant species as host plants was analyzed and quantified by the method developed by Wan and Harris (1997) and used by several other scientists (Baars et al, 2003;Olckers, 2000Olckers, , 2003, by measuring the insect's performance on each test plant, at different stages in the host plant selection process, as a proportion of that on L. camara (029 WP). The relative performance (Table 6) of A. extrema was determined on 15 verbenaceous and 2 lamiaceous non-target species that were fed on, or oviposited on, to varying degrees during the choice and nochoice trials.…”

Section: Host Suitabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The trimorphic flea-beetle, Alagoasa extrema, not suitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa

Williams

Duckett

2005

Biocontrol

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The biology and host range of the flea-beetle, Alagoasa extrema (Harold) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), was studied under quarantine laboratory conditions to evaluate the insect's suitability for release as a biological control agent for the noxious weed, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), in South Africa. Identification of this species proved noteworthy. The adults of A. extrema display three freely interbreeding and very distinct colour morphs, which can be confused with no less than 11 species of Alagoasa found in Mexico and the southwestern U.S. Initially, specimens were identified as two species of the genus Alagoasa Bechyne´, i.e. A. quadrilineata (Harold) and A. extrema. Thirteen additional Alagoasa species and Kushelina petaurista (F). that can be confused with A. extrema based on external morphology of adults or larvae are discussed. Favourable biological characteristics included long-lived adults, several overlapping generations per year, and high adult and larval feeding rates. Observations from the insect's native Mexican range and studies in South Africa suggest that A. extrema would probably be more suited to subtropical, rather than temperate areas in Africa. Host-specificity studies showed A. extrema to be an oligophagous species, capable of feeding and developing on several non-target species, especially two indigenous, African Lippia species (Verbenaceae). The host suitability of these indigenous species was only marginally lower than that of L. camara, and the potential risk to them was deemed to be too high to warrant release. It was therefore recommended that A. extrema be rejected as biocontrol agent for lantana in Africa.

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Section: Host Suitabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The trimorphic flea-beetle, Alagoasa extrema, not suitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa

Williams

Duckett

2005

Biocontrol

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“…In South Africa, the plant has invaded croplands, forestry plantations, riparian and conservation areas, particularly in the higher rainfall regions of the country (Olckers, 1999). Although chemical control methods have proved effective in South Africa, biological control using herbivorous insects has been investigated as a more sustainable, long-term solution (Olckers, 2000;2003). Solanum mauritianum in its native country displays many ecological features that are typical of pioneer species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several insect herbivore species have been identified as potential biological control agents for release against S. mauritianum in South Africa (Olckers, 1999;Pedrosa-Macedo et al, 2003). Besides several leaf-feeding insect species that have potential for reducing the plant's high growth rates, species that reduce flowering and fruiting have been given high priority (Olckers, 2003). In particular, flowerbud-feeding weevils of the genus Anthonomus (Curculionidae), which also feed on young leaves on the tips of the branches, have been studied on natural S. mauritianum populations around Curitiba in Brazil because of their abundance and importance as candidate agents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant population structure and insect herbivory on Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae) in southern Brazil: a support to biological control

Barboza¹,

Marques

Pedrosa-Macedo³

et al. 2009

Braz. arch. biol. technol.

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“…Populations from both provenances have become established in South Africa. Another promising agent, the flowerbud weevil Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache (Curculionidae), was also evaluated for host specificity (Olckers 2003) and has recently been approved for release in South Africa (Olckers 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, the lack of quarantine restrictions provided the opportunity to conduct open-field trials and test the insect under less restrictive conditions. This was important given the problem that eggplant has demonstrated to be an acceptable host to a wide range of candidate agents under laboratory conditions, which was contrary to field observations in their countries of origin (Olckers 1998(Olckers , 1999(Olckers , 2000(Olckers , 2003(Olckers , 2004Olckers et al 2002). Several testing procedures, ranging from no-choice to open-field choice tests, were used to distinguish between the insect's 'physiological' and 'ecological' host ranges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the risks of releasing a sap-sucking lace bug, Gargaphia decoris, against the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum in New Zealand

Olckers

Borea

2008

BioControl

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The South American tree Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae), a major environmental weed in South Africa and New Zealand, has been targeted for biological control, with releases of agents restricted to South Africa. The leaf-sucking lace bug, Gargaphia decoris Drake (Tingidae), so far the only agent released, has become established in South Africa with recent reports of severe damage at a few field sites. To evaluate the insect's suitability for release in New Zealand, host-specificity testing was carried out in South Africa in laboratory and open-field trials, with selected cultivated and native species of Solanum from New Zealand. No-choice tests confirmed the results of earlier trials that none of the three native New Zealand Solanum species are acceptable as hosts. Although the cultivated Solanum muricatum Aiton and S. quitoense Lam. also proved unacceptable as hosts, some cultivars of S. melongena L. (eggplant) supported feeding, development and oviposition in the no-choice tests. Although eggplant was routinely accepted under laboratory no-choice conditions in this and previous studies, observations in the native and introduced range of G. decoris, open-field trials and risk assessment based on multiple measures of insect performance indicate that the insect has a host range restricted to S. mauritianum. These results strongly support the proposed release of G. decoris in New Zealand because risks to non-target native and cultivated Solanum species appear to be negligible. An application for permission to release G. decoris in New Zealand will be submitted to the regulatory authority.

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Assessing the risks associated with the release of a flowerbud weevil, Anthonomus santacruzi, against the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum in South Africa

Cited by 31 publications

References 8 publications

The trimorphic flea-beetle, Alagoasa extrema, not suitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa

The trimorphic flea-beetle, Alagoasa extrema, not suitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa

Plant population structure and insect herbivory on Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae) in southern Brazil: a support to biological control

Assessing the risks of releasing a sap-sucking lace bug, Gargaphia decoris, against the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum in New Zealand

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