Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331805
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Seasonal abundance of the adventive Chinese tallowtree herbivore Caloptilia triadicae and its parasitoids

Author
item Wheeler, Gregory
item Dyer, Kirsten
item Hight, Stephen
item Wright, Susan

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2016
Publication Date: 3/1/2017
Citation: Wheeler, G.S., Dyer, K.G., Hight, S.D., Wright, S.A. 2017. Seasonal abundance of the adventive Chinese tallowtree herbivore Caloptilia triadicae and its parasitoids. Florida Entomologist. 100(1):52-56.

Interpretive Summary: Chinese tallow is an invasive weed from southern China that invades the Gulf states of the southeastern U.S.A. One reason why this is such a problem weed is the historical lack of insect feeding in the U.S.A. However, a leaf miner species, Caloptilia was discovered feeding on Chinese tallow in 2004 and has been reported throughout much of the invaded range. We monitored the seasonal abundance of a Caloptilia population and their associated natural enemies or parasitoids during two years in Florida. Populations of Caloptilia peaked during June and July in 2013 and 2014. Parasitism overall was about 3.3% of the collected larvae and pupae, reaching a a maximum of 12%. The primary parasitoid species were small wasps assigned to the genera Goniozus sp (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (76% of parasitoids) and secondarily Brasema sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelminae) (18% of parasitoids). However, these small wasps typically exploit caterpillars in secluded situations, like leaf rolls. Due to specific habitat requirements and the exploitation of leaf mines by these parasitoid species, it is doubtful they will attack species being developed for biological control of Chinese tallow.

Technical Abstract: Chinese tallow Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) is an invasive weed from southern China that invades the Gulf states of the southeastern U.S.A. One significant factor for the success of this weed has been the historical lack of herbivore species in the invaded range. However, a leaf miner species, Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was discovered feeding on Chinese tallow in 2004 and has been reported throughout much of the invaded range. We monitored the seasonal abundance of a C. triadicae population and their associated parasitoids during two years in Florida. Populations of C. triadicae peaked during June and July in 2013 and 2014. Parasitism overall was about 3.3% of the collected larvae and pupae, reaching a a maximum of 12%. The primary parasitoid species was Goniozus sp (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (76% of parasitoids) and secondarily Brasema sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelminae) (18% of parasitoids). Due to specific habitat requirements and the exploitation of leaf mines by these parasitoid species, it is doubtful they will attack species being developed for biological control of Chinese tallow.