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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285885
Title: Larval dispersal of the weed biological control agent Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item Rayamajhi, Min
item Tipping, Philip
item Center, Ted

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2012
Publication Date: 3/1/2013
Citation: Pratt, P.D., Rayamajhi, M.B., Tipping, P.W., Center, T.D. Larval dispersal of the weed biological control agent Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Entomologist. 96(1):278-279. 2013.

Interpretive Summary: The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosa is a biological control agent of the exotic tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida, USA. Evidence suggests that the last instar drops from the canopy to the forest floor to pupate in the soil or leaf litter. This dispersal method preempts weevil population persistence in permanently flooded habitats where some populations of the exotic weed occurs so sustained weevil herbivory is dependent upon repeated colonization events.

Technical Abstract: The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosa is a biological control agent of the exotic tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida, USA. Evidence suggests that the last instar drops from the canopy to the forest floor to pupate in the soil or leaf litter. This dispersal method preempts weevil population persistence in permanently flooded habitats where some populations of the exotic weed occurs so sustained weevil herbivory is dependent upon repeated colonization events.