HOST SPECIFICITY OF ALTICA CARDUORUM GUER. (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Harris

The flea beetle Altica carduorum Guer. could be reared only on plants of the closely related genera Cirsium, Silybum, and Carduus. The relative acceptability of the different species within this group was correlated with the closeness of their taxonomic relationships to Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. It is concluded that, in the field, the beetle will be restricted to attacking a few species of Cirsium and will not endanger any economic plant in North America. Thus it is a suitable insect to be used for the biological control of C. arvense in North America. Results of preliminary liberations of A. carduorum are insufficient to indicate if it will exert effective control of the weed in Canada.

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zwölfer ◽  
P. Harris

The suitability of Ceutorhynchus litura for the biological control of Cirsium arvense in Canada was evaluated. It is concluded that introduction of C. litura is justified on the grounds that its feeding is restricted to a group of three systematically related genera, Cirsium–Silybum–Carduus. This host pattern is highly stable, and probably prepleistocene in origin, and does not include any economic plant species. C. litura is compatible with phytophagous insects already present on C. arvense in Canada and its establishment should not prejudice the introduction of other European insects against the weed. C. litura is, however, subject to a number of ecological restrictions and is only likely to be an effective control agent in cultivated fields where it can build up a high density over several years.


1979 ◽  
Vol 111 (9) ◽  
pp. 1059-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.P. Peschken ◽  
G.R. Johnson

AbstractThe host specificity of Lema cyanella (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its suitability as a biological control agent were investigated. The females lay an average of 1564 eggs and development from egg to adult takes 17.6 days at 25°C during the day and 20°C during the night (average about 23°C). Feeding of adults and larvae is confined to Cirsium, Carduus, and Silybum species, and according to literature records, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is the main host. No economic plants are attacked. A colony of field collected beetles imported from Germany was infected with a Nosema disease. It is recommended that disease free L. cyanella should be released against the weed C. arvense in North America.


2011 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck J. Muller ◽  
Lloyd M. Dosdall ◽  
Peter G. Mason ◽  
Ulrich Kuhlmann

AbstractIn Europe, Ceutorhynchus turbatus Schultze and Ceutorhynchus typhae (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feed on seeds from hoary cress and shepherd's purse (Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. and Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.); both plants are invasive in North America. In North America, C. turbatus is a candidate for biological control of hoary cress, C. typhae is adventive, and both are sympatric with cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham)), an invasive alien pest of canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L., Brassicaceae). We investigated host associations among C. turbatus, C. typhae, and their parasitoids in Europe. Of particular interest was host specificity of Trichomalus perfectus (Walker) and Mesopolobus morys (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), candidates for biological control of C. obstrictus in North America. We found no evidence that T. perfectus attacks C. turbatus or C. typhae; however, M. morys was the most common parasitoid associated with C. turbatus.


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