Biology and Life History of Argopistes tsekooni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in China, a Promising Biological Control Agent of Chinese Privet

Abstract

The biology and life history of Argopistes tsekooni Chen (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a potential biological control agent of Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lour., was studied under laboratory and outdoor conditions in Huangshan City of Anhui Province, China, in 2006. A. tsekooni larvae are leafminers that undergo three instars. The first two instars feed exclusively within the leaf. The third instar feeds within the leaf until larval development is complete and then falls to the ground where it burrows into the soil to pupate. Larval development is completed within a single mine. Adult A. tsekooni is also a foliage feeder, consuming 8.32 ± 0.96 mm2 of privet leaf per day. A female lays an average of 27.8 ± 5.4 eggs within 30 d. A. tsekooni overwinters as an adult and had three overlapped generations in Anhui Province, an area similar in climate to Atlanta, GA. Biological attributes of A. tsekooni, such as high damage levels caused by larvae and adults and multiple overlapping generations per year, suggest that this flea beetle is a good candidate for biological control of Chinese privet in the United States.

Lost in the weeds: Ligustrum sinense reduces native plant growth and survival

“…In order to maintain the long-term sustainability of floodplain forests in the southeastern United States, policy makers and land managers need to create strategies and polices (Chornesky et al 2005) to reduce L. sinense abundance. This includes methods to control L. sinense (Harrington and Miller 2005;Zhang et al 2009) and identifying mechanisms that promote L. sinense invasion so that they can be prevented. Ligustrum sinense is an appropriate candidate for restoration plans, because removal of the invader should result in recovery of native understory communities and floodplain forests.…”

Herbivory effects of Argopistes tsekooni, a chrysomelid beetle, on container-grown Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense

“…Means within rows with the same letters are not significantly different (P < 0.05; analysis of variance, least significant difference; SPSS Inc., 2001). One month was sufficient time to allow for the 10-day egg maturation and 11-day larval feeding period prior to pupation (Zhang et al, 2009). Despite the relatively short duration of this experiment the combined feeding of adults and larvae was extensive enough to cause mortality to the above-ground portions of plants grown in containers.…”

“…The flea beetle densities for this project were determined by investigating a natural population in the field in June when their population was large and defoliation was high (Zhang et al ., 2009). To obtain an estimate of A. tsekooni field population levels, we enclosed branches of privet with the same type of cylindrical organza cloth cages used to enclose test plants.…”

“…Adults emerge about 20 days later and feed on the leaves of Chinese privet, forming many small holes that accelerate water loss and wilting. In the field, adults overwinter in leaf litter, emerge in early spring and complete three overlapping generations between April and September (Zhang et al ., 2009).…”

Family Forest Owners' Perceptions on Chemical Methods for Invasive Species Control

“…Other approaches, such as biological control, mechanical treatment, and prescribed burning have been researched for their privet control potential. Flea beetles (Argopistes tsekooni) native to China are promising insects that could one day be used as a biological control agent for Chinese privet (Zhang et al 2009). Often, repeated mowing and mechanical removal alone can temporarily control privet in small areas (TEPPC 2009;Minogue and Williams 2008).…”