Feeding by adultCyrtobagous salviniae onSalvinia molesta under different regimes of temperature and nitrogen content and the effects on plant growth

Feeding by adultCyrtobagous salviniae was not influenced by the concentration of nitrogen in the buds ofSalvinia molesta. The time spent feeding on a bud was dependent on temperature and the rate of bud development because adults abandoned a bud when it started to open. When 2 pairs of adults were placed on a partially developed bud at 35°C, bud development was stopped. Plants attacked by weevils for 3 days were heavier than insect-free plants but after another 10 days without further attack, growth of unattached plants was significantly greater.