Deer Mouse Predation on the Biological Control Agent, Urophora spp., Introduced to Control Spotted Knapweed

1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Spotted Knapweed

BIOLOGY OF AGAPETA ZOEGANA (LEPIDOPTERA: COCHYLIDAE), PROPAGATED FOR THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF KNAPWEEDS (ASTERACEAE)

2000 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Powell ◽  
Brian M. Wikeem ◽  
Allen Sturko
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Degree Days ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Calendar Date ◽  
Accumulated Degree Days

AbstractWe examined the influence of temperature and release density on the root-boring moth, Agapeta zoegana L., a biological control agent of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea diffusa Lam., and spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa Lam. Moths were released at six densities (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 adult male–female pairs) in each of 2 years (1992 and 1993 cohorts) into outdoor, caged plots containing spotted knapweed. Air temperature, larval establishment and mass, and adult emergence, mass, and body dimensions were measured. Larval production increased linearly with adult release density in both cohorts. Larval survival ranged from 0 to 100% and was not correlated with release density or accumulated degree-days in either year. Date of first emergence occurred earlier as both release density and larvae per plant increased, but only for the 1992 cohort. Declining resources or increased contact among the larvae may induce early pupation. Peak emergence rate increased with release density in both cohorts. First emergence was related more closely to calendar date than accumulated degree-days. In contrast, peak emergence rates were more consistent with degree-day accumulations between cohorts than calendar date. Adult production increased with parental release density in both cohorts. Females were heavier, wider, and longer than males. Optimal A. zoegana production will be achieved with releases of greater than 1.6 male–female adult pairs per spotted knapweed plant.

Biological Control of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) and Spotted Knapweed (C. maculosa)

Weed Science ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Maddox
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Flower Head ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Weedy Species ◽  
Diffuse Knapweed ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) and spotted knapweed (C. maculosa Lam.) presently infest approximately 1.5 million ha of pasture and rangeland in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and California. The serious losses caused on lands where returns from herbicidal control are marginal or less prompted the testing and introduction of two strains of a seed-head fly (Urophora affinis Frlfld.) as a biological-control agent in these states. Over 27 000 flies were released in about equal numbers on both weeds during the years 1974 to 1977 and in 1979 and 1980. The fly became established in all states where it was released. The adult was found to disperse over 76 m from release point from 1974 to 1976, and to reduce the number of seeds per flower head in sampled heads by 80% in northern Washington and over 64% at the Heppner, Oregon site. A newly released moth (Metzneria paucipunctella Zell.) and a root-boring beetle (Spbenoptera jugoslavica Obenb.) are expected to cause additional pressure on these plants. The reproductive potential of the knapweeds is such that more natural enemies will be needed to provide enough stress to reduce these weedy species to an acceptable level.

Non-target effects of an introduced biological control agent on deer mouse ecology

Oecologia ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Pearson ◽  
K. S. McKelvey ◽  
L. F. Ruggiero
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Deer Mouse ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Target Effects
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