Impact of the flower-galling midge, Dasineura rubiformis Kolesik, on the growth of its host plant, Acacia mearnsii De Wild, in South Africa

Impson, F.A.C.; Post, J.A.; Hoffmann, J. H.

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2013.04.006

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It was detected at more Mpala sampling sites than the other herbivores (n = 8) and was present at varying frequencies from January through September. The suitability of culm-galling midges as biological control agents has been demonstrated in a variety of plant systems (Hinz and Müller-Schärer 2000;Impson et al 2008;Paterson et al 2014), including grasses that have become invasive in North America (Goolsby et al 2017;Rector et al 2021). However, culm-galling Cecidomyiidae remain poorly sampled in Africa, and their true host usage patterns are largely unknown (Harris and Dorchin 2012;Gagné and Jaschhof 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arthropod associates of Kenyan buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris): a field survey for biological control candidates of a globally important invasive grass

Morrison,

Plowes,

Ng’iru

et al. 2023

Afr. Entomol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Invasive species are the second largest contributor to biodiversity loss and drivers of ecosystem change. Buffelgrass is a C4, perennial grass native to Africa and Asia that was widely introduced across tropical and subtropical rangelands as livestock forage. Buffelgrass reduces native biodiversity and ecosystem stability in its introduced range when it escapes livestock pastures. Understanding the ecology of insects associated with buffelgrass in its native range may provide an understanding of invasion processes and biological control opportunities where buffelgrass has become an invasive challenge. Here, we present the results of a six-year survey of herbivorous arthropods of a native buffelgrass population from Kenya. Buffelgrass was examined for externally and internally feeding insects of vegetative and reproductive tissues. We also categorised buffelgrass detritivores and parasitoids that may use buffelgrass herbivores as hosts. The samples were photographed and Sanger sequenced to identify them to the lowest possible taxonomic ranking. We collected information on sample abundances, phenologies, tissues consumed, and putative diet breadths. We identified 25 morphospecies representing seven orders and 16 families. The putative host plant specialisation was as high as 67% for Diptera. Phenological variation in herbivore presence correlated with seasonal rainfall and provided a guide for when to conduct follow-up biological control agent searches. The most abundant herbivore was a gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that inhabits buffelgrass culms. Additional research should focus on bringing this species into containment where host choice trials can be conducted to determine if it is truly monophagous and assess its impact on buffelgrass growth.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arthropod associates of Kenyan buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris): a field survey for biological control candidates of a globally important invasive grass

Morrison,

Plowes,

Ng’iru

et al. 2023

Afr. Entomol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…First reports indicated that T. acaciaelongifoliae successfully completed its life cycle in Portugal although the number of detected galls is currently low (Marchante et al 2017). The flower-galling midge Dasineura rubiformis was also effectively introduced to control A. mearnsii, exclusively affecting its reproductive capacity (Impson et al , 2013. During the period of 1991-2005, the introduced rust-fungus Uromycladium tepperianum significantly affected A. saligna by reducing tree density (between 87 and 98%) and canopy mass, also increasing tree mortality (Wood and Morris 2007).…”

Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Souza‐Alonso

Rodríguez

González

et al. 2017

Annals of Forest Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key message The above-and belowground impacts due to Acacia invasions have been described in detail over the last 25 years. Future research should focus on the early detection and prevention of new Acacia introductions and on a cost-effective and sustainable management of the novel ecosystems resulting from invasions.• Context Invasive alien plants (IAPs) strongly alter ecosystems reducing biodiversity, modifying ecosystem services and increasing negative impacts at social and economic level. Among invasive taxa, Acacia is a highly problematic genus worldwide. In fact, almost 500 papers have been published on several aspects of Acacia invasions for the last 25 years.• Aims We aim at reviewing the current knowledge on the consequences of the invasion by Acacia genus in Mediterranean ecosystems. We also collect and propose different approaches for the management and recovery of invaded areas and suggest future perspectives on Acacia research. • Methods We compile, summarise and discuss recent findings on physicochemical, ecological, microbiological and socioeconomic aspects of invasion related to Australian acacias (Acacia dealbata, Acacia longifolia, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia melanoxylon) focusing on Mediterranean areas.• Results Acacia invasion generally entails soil physicochemical alterations and changes in microbial function and structure. Consequences such as the decreased biodiversity, altered ecosystem structure, larger seed banks dominated by invasive species, new biotrophic relationships or alterations in water availability and fire regimes suggest that acacias are locally creating novel ecosystems.• Conclusions Forecasting invasions, modelling and managing ecosystems dominated by acacias are challenging tasks that should be addressed in the future, since climatic conditions and intensification in land uses are increasing the likelihood of Acacia invasions in Mediterranean areas. Unsuccessful management actions suggest that restoration should be meticulously monitored, but the magnitude of invasion or the inconsistency of economic investment indicate that eradication is often unfeasible. Alternatively, novel integrative and cost-effective solutions including the collaboration of society, politicians and stakeholders are necessary to prevent new introductions and achieve sustainable control of acacias. There is a growing interest in applied research on the valorisation or novel uses for acacias and their residues that result in economic benefits.

show abstract

“…In an SEM, the specification of a path should be justified theoretically or experimentally. Before it was possible to fully specify the SEM, it was first necessary to determine the direction of the path between galling insects and growth rate, because either direction is plausible; that is, galling insects may be more attracted to genotypes with higher growth rates (Horner & Abrahamson, 1992) or they may directly influence growth rates via hormonal mechanisms (Impson et al, 2013;Tewari et al, 2013). Two separate and largely independent analyses were used to accomplish this.…”

Section: Structural Equation Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring plant defense theory in tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryUnderstanding the evolutionary reasons for patterns of chemical defense in plants is an ongoing theoretical and empirical challenge. The goal is to develop a model that can reliably predict how defenses are distributed within the plant over space and time. This is difficult given that evolutionary, ecological, and physiological processes and tradeoffs can operate over different spatial and temporal scales.We evaluated the major predictions of two leading defense theories, the growth-differentiation balance hypothesis (GDBH) and optimal defense theory (ODT). To achieve this, enemies, fitness components, terpenoids, and protease inhibitors were measured in Solidago altissima and used to construct conventional univariate and structural equation models (SEMs).Leaf-tissue value indices extracted from an SEM revealed a strong correlation between tissue value and terpenoid defense that supports ODT. A tradeoff between serine protease inhibition and growth as well as an indirect tradeoff between growth and terpenoids manifested through galling insects supported the GDBH. Interestingly, there was a strong direct effect of terpenoids on rhizome mass, suggesting service to both storage and defense.The results support established theories but unknown genotypic traits explained much of the variation in defense, confirming the need to integrate emerging theories such as pollination constraints, defense syndromes, tolerance, mutualisms, and facilitation.

show abstract

Impact of the flower-galling midge, Dasineura rubiformis Kolesik, on the growth of its host plant, Acacia mearnsii De Wild, in South Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Arthropod associates of Kenyan buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris): a field survey for biological control candidates of a globally important invasive grass

Arthropod associates of Kenyan buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris): a field survey for biological control candidates of a globally important invasive grass

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Exploring plant defense theory in tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About