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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374100
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Interactions among biological control agents on waterhyacinth: impacts of herbivory on the oviposition and development of Megamelus scutellaris

Author
item Goode, Ashley
item Knowles, Brittany
item Tipping, Philip
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: 7/31/2020
Publication Date: 8/10/2020
Citation: Goode, A.B., Knowles, B.K., Tipping, P.W., Foley, J., Gettys, L. 2020. Interactions among biological control agents on waterhyacinth: impacts of herbivory on the oviposition and development of Megamelus scutellaris. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 30(11):1244-1249. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1804838.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2020.1804838

Interpretive Summary: Multiple biocontrol agents have been developed and released to increase control and reduce treatment costs of Pontederia crassipes in Florida. Two species of weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi) and the planthopper (Megamelus scutellaris) all utilize P. crassipes for feeding and reproduction, potentially negatively interacting with each other and limiting their effectiveness. Megamelus scutellaris was given the choice of herbivory damaged or undamaged plants, allowed to oviposit, and then nymph emergence was monitored. No differences were seen in F1 emergence numbers among the treatments indicating that the potential for negative interactions between Neochetina spp. and M. scutellaris is minimal.

Technical Abstract: Multiple biocontrol agents have been developed and released to increase control and reduce treatment costs of Pontederia crassipes in Florida. Two species of weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi) and the planthopper (Megamelus scutellaris) all utilize P. crassipes for feeding and reproduction, potentially negatively interacting with each other and limiting their effectiveness. Megamelus scutellaris was given the choice of herbivory damaged or undamaged plants, allowed to oviposit, and then nymph emergence was monitored. No differences were seen in F1 emergence numbers among the treatments indicating that the potential for negative interactions between Neochetina spp. and M. scutellaris is minimal.