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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355992
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Host range of Lepidelphax pistiae (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and its potential impact on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

Author
item Goode, Ashley
item MINTEER, CAREY - University Of Florida
item Tipping, Philip
item Knowles, Brittany
item Valmonte, Ryann
item FOLEY, JEREMIAH - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item GETTYS, LYN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2019
Publication Date: 3/26/2019
Citation: Goode, A.B., Minteer, C., Tipping, P.W., Knowles, B.K., Valmonte, R., Foley, J., Gettys, L. 2019. Host range of Lepidelphax pistiae (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and its potential impact on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology. 29(7):706-714. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1587738.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1587738

Interpretive Summary: Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) is a floating aquatic plant that has become invasive in Florida. It is primarily controlled with herbicides, but two biocontrol agents have previously been released to assist in management of this species. A new potential biocontrol agent from Argentina, Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), has been evaluated comprehensively for specificity after initial host range studies done in its native range indicated that it is likely specific to P. stratiotes. Host range studies indicated that this insect is specific to P. stratiotes, with no survival or reproduction occurring on any of the 42 other plant species tested. Impact studies indicated that this insect can significantly damage P. stratiotes at medium and high population densities, which were comparable to those seen in its native range. L. pistiae is sufficiently specific enough to warrant release and has a high probability of aiding management of P. stratiotes populations in Florida.

Technical Abstract: Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae) is a floating aquatic plant that has become invasive in Florida. It is primarily controlled with herbicides, but two biocontrol agents have previously been released to assist in management of this species. A new potential biocontrol agent from Argentina, Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), has been evaluated comprehensively for specificity after initial host range studies done in its native range indicated that it is likely specific to P. stratiotes. Host range studies indicated that this insect is specific to P. stratiotes, with no survival or reproduction occurring on any of the 42 other plant species tested. Impact studies indicated that this insect can significantly damage P. stratiotes at medium and high population densities, which were comparable to those seen in its native range. L. pistiae is sufficiently specific enough to warrant release and has a high probability of aiding management of P. stratiotes populations in Florida.