Dispersal of Amitus hesperidum and Encarsia opulenta Released for the Biological Control of Citrus Blackfly in South Florida

1982 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Selhime ◽  
W. G. Hart ◽  
D. P. Harlan
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Amitus Hesperidum

scholarly journals The Biology of Casmara subagronoma (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), a Stem-Boring Moth of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae): Descriptions of the Previously Unknown Adult Female and Immature Stages, and Its Potential as a Biological Control Candidate

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Susan A. Wineriter-Wright ◽  
Melissa C. Smith ◽  
Mark A. Metz ◽  
Jeffrey R. Makinson ◽  
Bradley T. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Myrtus Communis ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Perennial Shrub ◽  
Original Species ◽  
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a perennial shrub native to Southeast Asia and is invasive in South Florida and Hawai’i, USA. During surveys of R. tomentosa in Hong Kong from 2013–2018 for potential biological control agents, we collected larvae of the stem borer, Casmara subagronoma. Larvae were shipped in stems to a USDA-ARS quarantine facility where they were reared and subjected to biology studies and preliminary host range examinations. Casmara subagronoma is the most recent Casmara species to be described from males collected in Vietnam and Indonesia. Because the original species description was based on only two male specimens, we also provide a detailed description of the female, egg, larva, and pupa. Finally, we conducted preliminary host range trials utilizing Myrtus communis, Myrcianthes fragrans, and Camellia sinensis. Casmara subagronoma emerged from M. fragrans, a Florida-native shrub, and larvae were able to survive in non-target stems for over a year (>400 days). Based on these findings and difficulty in rearing, we do not believe C. subagronoma is a suitable insect for biological control of R. tomentosa at this time, but may warrant further study. This investigation also illustrates the importance of host surveys for conservation and taxonomic purposes.

Acute toxicity of mosquito pesticides on weed biological control agents in south Florida, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 855-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Wheeler ◽  
Ellen C. Lake ◽  
Min B. Rayamajhi ◽  
Melissa C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Weed Biological Control

Selectivity of insecticides to Encarsia pergandiella (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), an endoparasitoid of Bemisia argentifolii (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Stansly ◽  
T.-X. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Bemisia Argentifolii ◽  
Neem Extract ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Sugar Esters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Glass Surfaces ◽  
Selective Insecticides

AbstractEncarsia pergandiella Howard is the most abundant parasitoid of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, in south Florida vegetable fields and can contribute significantly to natural biological control of this and other whitefly species. However, quality standards, costs, and risks in commercial tomato production are high, resulting in frequent recourse to chemical control. Therefore, successful utilization of biological control could depend on compatibility of the parasitoid with selective insecticides. We tested a wide range of potentially selective insecticides, represented by a mineral oil, an insecticidal soap, a neem seed extract and synthetic and natural sugar esters, against eggs, first and third instar larvae, pupae and adults, using a pyrethroid, CaptureR (20 g bifenthrin/1 EC), for comparison. CaptureR residues on nymphs exposed to adult parasitoids reduced parasitization more than other materials tested, and were most toxic to all parasitoid stages. Mineral oil caused high mortality to immature parasitoids, and residues reduced parasitization of E. pergandiella. However, oil residues were much less toxic to adults if applied as a spray to leaf surfaces than as a dip to a leaf and especially glass surfaces. In contrast, the toxicity of CaptureR was high regardless of bioassay method. Neem extract, insecticidal soap and both sugar esters tested had little or no effect on E. pergandiella. These latter materials could be considered selective in respect to E. pergandiella and might be used to suppress B. argentifolii without decimating parasitoid populations.

Suitability of a New Plant Invader as a Target for Biological Control in Florida

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Manrique ◽  
Rodrigo Diaz ◽  
James P. Cuda ◽  
William A. Overholt
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Managed Ecosystems ◽  
Plantation Crops ◽  
Benefit Cost

AbstractThe suitability of a target weed for classical biological control should be considered early in the process of plant invasion. Concerns have been raised about the recent arrival ofMikania micranthaKunth in south Florida and its potential to spread and invade natural and managed ecosystems. This weed is native to the neotropics, and has been introduced into many Asian countries and, more recently, into Australia. In Asia,M. micranthais particularly problematic in plantation crops, but also threatens natural areas and disturbed ecosystems. Several aspects of the biology and ecology ofM. micranthaare discussed in this review to evaluate its suitability as a target of biological control in Florida. Based on an ecological niche model, the climate in southern and central Florida is highly favorable for the invasion of this weed. Previous biological control programs provide valuable information for Florida scientists about the availability of natural enemies and potential areas for future foreign surveys. Genetic comparison of the Florida population and native range populations, in addition to climate matching, should be considered when selecting areas for foreign exploration. Finally, the authors used a scoring system and risk-benefit–cost analysis to evaluateM. micranthaas a potential target for biological control in Florida. We suggest that similar feasibility evaluations should be conducted not only for well-established problematic weeds but also for new invaders with a known history of invasiveness.

Electron investigations of rhabdovirus-like particles in mexican bean beetles and crickets

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-379
Author(s):  
J. R. Adams ◽  
G. J Tompkins ◽  
A. M. Heimpel ◽  
E. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Integrated Pest Management ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Acheta Domesticus ◽  
Epilachna Varivestis ◽  
House Cricket ◽  
Similar Morphology ◽  
Bean Beetle

As part of a continual search for potential pathogens of insects for use in biological control or on an integrated pest management program, two bacilliform virus-like particles (VLP) of similar morphology have been found in the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis Mulsant and the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L. ).Tissues of diseased larvae and adults of E. varivestis and all developmental stages of A. domesticus were fixed according to procedures previously described. While the bean beetles displayed no external symptoms, the diseased crickets displayed a twitching and shaking of the metathoracic legs and a lowered rate of activity.Examinations of larvae and adult Mexican bean beetles collected in the field in 1976 and 1977 in Maryland and field collected specimens brought into the lab in the fall and reared through several generations revealed that specimens from each collection contained vesicles in the cytoplasm of the midgut filled with hundreds of these VLP's which were enveloped and measured approximately 16-25 nm x 55-110 nm, the shorter VLP's generally having the greater width (Fig. 1).

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