Survival of the mirid Eccritotarsus catarinensis as influenced by Neochetina eichhorniae and Neochetina bruchi feeding scars on leaves of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2007
Authors:O. Ajuonu, Byrne, M., Hill, M., Neuenschwander, P., Korie, S.
Journal:BioControl (Dordrecht)
Volume:52
Pagination:193-205
Date Published:April
:1386-6141
:Neochetina bruchi, Neochetina eichhorniae
:

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub.) remains a problem waterweed worldwide, for which biological control offers a sustainable solution. Under laboratory conditions, we investigated the interaction between two established weevil species Neochetina eichhorniae (Warner), Neochetina bruchi Hustache and the mirid Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) which have been released together in several countries. Adult and immatures of E. catarinensis had high mortality on plants with high levels of old feeding scars from adult N. eichhorniae and N. bruchi and was significantly different at p 0.05. In contrast, mirid survived well on plants with recent feeding scars from Neochetina spp. or on undamaged plants. Our results indicate that the mirid is compatible with the two weevil species for improving biological control of the weed.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith