Host Specificity and Environmental Impact of the WeevilHylobius transversovittatus, a Biological Control Agent of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Autor: Richard A. Malecki, Dieter Schroeder, Bernd Blossey, Stephen D. Hight
Rok vydání: 1994
Předmět:
Zdroj: Weed Science. 42:128-133
ISSN: 1550-2759
0043-1745
DOI: 10.1017/s0043174500084289
Popis: htroduction of purple loosestrife into North Amer- ica and its spread into wetlands has led to the degradation of these important habitats for wildlife. Conventional control efforts are unsuccessful in providing long-term control. A classical biological control program offers the best chance for reducing the numbers of this invasive plant and improving regeneration of the native flora and fauna. European studies demonstrated that the root boring weevil Hylobius transver- sovittatus is highly host specific to the target weed. Attack of two test plant species (winged lythrum and swamp loose- strife) during host range screening was most likely due to artificial test conditions. An environmental assessment of the potential effects of the release of the purple loosestrife borer in North America indicated that benefits outweigh any po- tential negative impact. Therefore its field release was ap- proved in 1992. Nomenclature: Purple loosestrife borer, Hylobius transversovittatus Goeze; purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. #3 LYTSA; winged lythrum, Lythrum alatum Pursh # LYTAL; swamp loosestrife, Decodon verticil- latus (L.) Ell. # DEOVE. Additional index words. Biological control, purple loosestrife borer, wetlands, LYTSA, LYTAL, DEOVE.
Databáze: OpenAIRE