Suitability of some Lantana camara varieties as host plants for the root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus bethae

Compatibility between the root-feeding agent Longitarsus bethae Savini & Escalona and the varieties of the target weed Lantana camara L. could influence the chances of successful establishment and effectiveness of this agent as a biocontrol agent of lantana in South Africa. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the influence of major South African lantana varieties on feeding, colonization, oviposition preference and larval survival of L. bethae. Feeding preference and the number of adults per plant varied among the varieties. The most damaged and colonized varieties were 150 Orange, 009 Light Pink and 113 Dark Pink. Variety 018 Dark Pink was the least damaged, while 021 Total Pink and 029 White Pink were the least colonized. Females laid the highest number of eggs on variety 150 Orange. The lowest number of eggs was recorded on Australian Richmond Pink and the closely related species Lippia wilmsii. Larval survival differed significantly among the varieties. The highest survival was recorded on 150 Orange. Duration of development also varied significantly among the varieties, with the slowest rate of development recorded on variety 029 Light Pink and the quickest on variety 015 White Yellow. Although variations in female body size were less significant among varieties, males emerging from variety 150 Orange were slightly smaller than those emerged from other varieties. There was a significant tendency for females to select varieties that enhanced the survival of their offspring, which met the predictions of the preference-performance hypothesis. The data suggest that the chances of establishment and successful control of the weed are expected to be much greater on those varieties that were preferred for oviposition and provided better larval performance.     

Influence of soil texture, moisture, and surface cracks on the performance of a root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus bethae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent for Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the influence of soil texture, moisture and surface cracks on adult preference and survival of the root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus bethae Savini and Escalona (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a natural enemy of the weed, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). Adult feeding, oviposition preference, and survival of the immature stages of L. bethae were examined at four soil textures (clayey, silty loam, sandy loam, and sandy soil), three soil moisture levels (low, moderate, and high), and two soil surface conditions (with or without surface cracks). Both soil texture and moisture had no influence on leaf feeding and colonization by adult L. bethae. Soil texture had a significant influence on oviposition, with adults preferring to lay on clayey and sandy soils to silty or sandy loam soils. However, survival to adulthood was significantly higher in clayey soils than in other soil textures. There was a tendency for females to deposit more eggs at greater depth in both clayey and sandy soils than in other soil textures. Although oviposition preference and depth of oviposition were not influenced by soil moisture, survival in moderately moist soils was significantly higher than in other moisture levels. Development of immature stages in high soil moisture levels was significantly slower than in other soil moisture levels. There were no variations in the body size of beetles that emerged from different soil textures and moisture levels. Females laid almost three times more eggs on cracked than on noncracked soils. It is predicted that clayey and moderately moist soils will favor the survival of L. bethae, and under these conditions, damage to the roots is likely to be high. This information will aid in the selection of suitable release sites where L. bethae would be most likely to become established.     

Desiccation and egg viability of the ragwort flea beetle,Longitarsus flavicornis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of desiccation on the survival of eggs of Longitarsus flavicornis. Eclosion of L. flavicornis eggs in laboratory trials decreased with increasing desiccation time between 0 days (93% hatching) and 42 days (no egg hatching) at 50±2% relative humidity and 23±2°C. Probit analysis indicated that 25, 50 and 99% mortality of L. flavicornis eggs occurred after 5.7, 9.3 and 50.4 days desiccation, respectively. Egg development varied between a minimum of 8 days at 7 days desiccation to a maximum of 15 days at 28 days desiccation. Hatching span did not differ between treatments with all eggs hatching within 12 days of each other. A relative humidity of 88–100% was measured under ragwort rosettes in non-drought field conditions. This would be expected to facilitate successful egg eclosion. However, the occurrence of summer drought could be detrimental to egg survival.     

Additions to the mycobiota of the weed Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in southeastern Brazil

A sequel to the work of systematic surveying the mycobiota of Lantana camara aimed at finding potential biocontrol agents, was carried out during 1995–1996 covering part of its centre of origin in Brazil (state of Minas Gerais). Fifty-eight sampling sites, representing the four main climatic types in the state of Minas Gerais, were surveyed. Additional ad hoc collections were made in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Paraná Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Fifteen fungal species were recorded in association with L. camara including the previously undescribed species Phomopsis lantanae-glutinosae sp. nov. Five fungi are also newly recorded on this host in Brazil: Cercospora lantanicola Corynespora cassiicola Meliola ambigua Mycovellosiella lantaniphila and Phomopsis lantanae. The following fungi, previously recorded on L. camara in Brazil, are recorded here for the first time in Minas Gerais: Dendryphielia aspera Micropustulomyces mucilaginosus Mycovellosiella lantanae Pseudocercospora guianensis and Puccinia lantanae.     

Survival of larvae of the ragwort flea beetle, Longitarsus flavicornis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in water-logged soil

Water-logged soil could be a major factor affecting populations of the ragwort biological control agent, Longitarsus flavicornis, in Australia. Survival of L. flavicornis larvae in potted ragwort plants after inundation with water for up to 264h (11days) was compared to larval survival in control plants not exposed to inundation. Probit analysis indicated that 35.6% mortality of the larval population occurred after 24h inundation and 50.4% after 72h. As high mortality was recorded at periods of inundation known to occur in the field, it is concluded that winter flooding is likely to be detrimental to populations of L. flavicornis.     

Host specificity of the ragwort flea beetle Longitarsus jacobaeae (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

The ragwort flea beetle, Longitarsus jacobaeae, was tested for host specificity against representative species of native New Zealand Senecio. Adult feeding and oviposition tests were carried out under quarantine with and without a choice of host plants. Larval development was assessed using potted plants. It was concluded that L. jacobaeae is highly specific to Senecio jacobaea and that it is extremely unlikely to be damaging to native New Zealand Senecio species.     

空心莲子草叶甲室内大量繁殖研究

为了大量繁殖供环境释放的空心莲子草叶甲Agasicles hygrophila以实现空心莲子草区域减灾, 我们探索出室内大量饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的方法与流程, 包括用叶片法或苗水培法孵化卵粒、用盒养法饲养各龄幼虫与成虫并供成虫产卵、用栽培活苗笼养法化蛹羽化。在室内成虫终日均能取食、交配、产卵, 产卵前期约4～5 d, 产卵高峰期在羽化后第7～24 天, 每雌平均产卵21.08块, 约570粒。盒养法叶片平均可着卵4.28块, 叶背与叶面着卵量相近; 笼养法叶片平均着卵为1.46块, 卵主要产于叶背。盒养法与笼养法得到的卵孵化率分别为94.02%与92.50%。空心莲子草叶甲除化蛹需在栽培活苗上完成外, 各龄幼虫与成虫均可用离体新鲜苗盒养法密集饲养。初孵1龄幼虫转株（叶）期、3龄老熟幼虫转化蛹苗期是室内大量饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的关键时期, 高密度成功饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的最适化蛹接虫量是每株8头, 产卵期雌虫的最适密度是每株5头。     

Inter-generic differences in the metafemoral apodeme of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae)

Abstract. The metafemoral apodeme, an essential element of the unique jumping mechanism in the chrysomelid subfamily Alticinae (flea beetles), was studied in fifty-three Palearctic species of twenty-six genera. Inter-generic differences are noted and these genera separate into seven groups according to their apodeme structure. The significance of the metafemoral apodeme in phylo-genetic relationships at the generic and subfamilial level is discussed.     

Interaction between Uroplata girardi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Ophiomyia camarae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on a shared host Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

Multiple releases of insect agents intended to target a single plant pest species could result in competitive interactions that in turn might affect the community structure of the phytophagous insects. Two leaf-feeding biological control agents, Uroplata girardi Pic (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Ophiomyia camarae Spencer (Dipetera: Agromyzidae), were released against the weed Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa in the 1970s and 2001, respectively. Since the population explosion of O. camarae in 2005, a decline of U. girardi populations had been observed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) humid coast, leading to speculation that negative interaction may be operating between the agents. The study therefore was conducted to determine the competitive effect of O. camarae on U. girardi. The study showed that 76% of O. camarae larval mines were formed on uninfested (clean) compared with only 24% formed on U. girardi-infested leaves, suggesting that the fly chose to lay more eggs on clean leaves. Almost the same number of U. girardi larval mines was formed on both O. camarae-infested and clean leaves, indicating that U. girardi females in this case oviposited indiscriminately on the two types of leaves. The survival of U. girardi was 53.8% when reared on clean leaves compared with only 14.6% survival on O. camarae-infested leaves. At the end of the sampling period, densities of U. girardi was over two times higher in single-species than in combined-species treatment. Releasing both agents together did not significantly affect O. camarae densities during the sampling period. In the field, O. camarae densities increased rapidly from spring to autumn, whereas those of U. girardi remained consistently low during the same period. The bias toward oviposition on clean leaves in O. camarae enables its larvae to avoid unfavorable encounters with U. girardi larvae, thus enhancing its development and survival. The apparent inability of U. girardi to distinguish between suitable and unsuitable leaves for oviposition could compromise the fitness of this beetle, and this could explain the suppression of U. girardi populations during summer when O. camarae populations begin to increase rapidly. This study provides evidence for an asymmetric interaction between two introduced agents, and therefore highlights the importance of conducting interaction studies on agents with extensive niche overlap before their release into the environment.     

环境因子对真水狼蛛胚胎发育的影响

研究了温度、相对湿度和光照时间对真水狼蛛（Pirata piraticus）胚胎发育的影响。结果表明,温度不仅影响真水狼蛛胚胎发育的全过程,也对胚胎发育的各阶段有影响,在20℃-35℃范围内,随着温度的升高,胚胎发育加快,卵的发育起点温度为11.9℃,低温下,卵的孵化整齐度高温下要高,28℃时,孵化率最高。为探讨真水狼蛛胚胎发育的影响因子和合适条件,考虑温度、相对湿度和光照时间3个因子的综合作用,按照二次正交旋转组合设计的要求安排实验,得出了影响胚胎发育历期、胚胎成形率和孵化率的二次回归模型,并分析了其影响因子,利用孵化率的回归模型,得到了真水狼蛛卵孵化的最优条件为温度为27℃-28.5℃,相对湿度为94％－97％,光照时间为14－17h。     

Life history and host range of Alagoasa extrema (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), a potential biological control agent of Lantana spp. (Verbenaceae) in Australia

The life history and host range of the lantana beetle, Alagoasa extrema, a potential biocontrol agent for Lantana spp. were investigated in a quarantine unit at the Alan Fletcher Research Station, Brisbane, Australia. Adults feed on leaves and females lay batches of about 17 eggs on the soil surface around the stems of plants. The eggs take 16 days to hatch and newly emerged larvae move up the stem to feed on young leaves. Larvae feed for about 23 days and there are three instars. There is a prepupal non-feeding stage that lasts about 12 days and the pupal stage, which occurs in a cocoon in the soil, lasts 16 days. Teneral adults remain in the cocoon for 3 days to harden prior to emergence. Males live for about 151 days while females live for about 127 days. The pre-oviposition period is 19 days. In no-choice larval feeding trials, nine plant species, representing three families, supported development to adult. Three species, Aloysia triphylla, Citharexylum spinosum and Pandorea pandorana were able to support at least two successive generations. These results confirm those reported in South Africa and suggest that A. extrema is not sufficiently specific for release in Australia. Furthermore, it is not recommended for release in any other country which is considering biological control of lantana.     

Lantana,or red sage (Lantana camara L., [Verbenaceae]), notorious weed and popular garden flower; some cases of poisoning in Florida

Lantana, or red sage (lantana camara, Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub with rough, opposite or whorled leaves and four-angled, prickly or smooth stems, showy heads of small flowers (usually pink-and-yellow changing to red-and-orange) and dark-blue or blackish fruits. Native from tropical America north to lower Texas and southern Georgia, the bird-distributed plant has become naturalized in the Caribbean area, the Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and southern Asia. Hundreds of cultivars are grown as ornamentals in temperate climates. In warm regions, L. camara is a pest in farms, pastures and forests, providing breeding places for diseases, detrimental animals and insects, including the tsetse fly. Of 29 named races in Australia, 19 are toxic or gravely pestiferous. Active principles are the triterpenes lantadene A and B. Ingestion of 340-453 g of leaves causes liver and kidney damage, photosensitization, intestinal hemorrhage, paralysis of the gall bladder, and death in 1-4 days in horses, cattle and sheep (not goats). Ripe fruits are edible, but green, unripe fruits have caused illness and one known fatality in children in Florida. Leaves and roots are popular folk remedies. Stems are used as toothbrushes, and the leaves for polishing wood. Prickly races are grown as protective hedges around forest dwellings.     

Arid-adapted Mexican leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), unsuitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in South Africa

A host specificity study conducted in South Africa between 2000 and 2004 showed that the leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata Young, performed as well on some of the indigenous Lippia spp. as on the target weed Lantana camara L. During adult no-choice tests, B. parvisaccata reproduced on eight species of the two closely related genera, Lantana and Lippia. Although B. parvisaccata has a restricted host range, its reproductive performance on the indigenous Lippia scaberrima Sond. during the adult multiple-choice tests was unacceptably high. It was therefore concluded that B. parvisaccata was not sufficiently host-specific to be released against L. camarara in Africa.     

Microscopic anatomy and volatile secondary metabolites at three stages of development of the inflorescences of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

Plants of the Verbenaceae family, like L. camara, have called the attention of researchers, not only because of its high diversity and its distribution around the world, but also for its variable use as popular medicine to treat diseases like tetanus, rheumatism and malaria, and as bactericide and insecticide. To assess this, the morphology and ontogeny of the inflorescences of Lantana camara and the chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed at three different ontogeny stages. Plants were collected from the experimental crop area in CENIVAM, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Fresh inflorescence stages were established and analyzed using a stereoscopic microscope, fixed in FAA and included in parafine. Transversal and longitudinal 10 microm thick sections were prepared using a rotative microtome, safranine-fastgreen stained and were observed and photographed using a light microscope. The chemical composition of volatile secondary metabolites were analyzed for each stage. The analytes, obtained from 0.7 g of plant, were isolated by solid phase micro-extraction in the headspace mode (HS-SPME) and were placed in 20 ml vials. The components were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Stage I was microscopically characterized by an immature development in which the meristematic differentiation begins with a mass of cells. In Stage II, the morphogenetic movement gives way to the formation of the respective floral sexual structures, calyx and corolla. In Stage III, the different organs are conspicuous: four stamens epipetals and didynamous, monocarpelar, biloculate and globose gynoecium, upper ovary and lateral stigma; the flowers are hermaphroditic. The main secondary metabolites detected by GC-MS were bicyclosesquiphellandrene, E-beta-farnesene, E-beta-caryophyllene, gamma-muurolene + gamma-curcumene and alpha-zingiberene. Nevertheless, this study reports for the first time in plant species alpha-gurjunene, gamma-amorphene, alpha-muurolene, sesquithujene, alpha-trans-bergamotene and trans-cadina-1,4-diene. The diversity of compounds found can be only explained by the extraction methods employed, the developmental stages and section of the plant, the geographic conditions, collection time and the genetic constitution of the evaluated species.     

The Biology and Host Range of Falconia intermedia (Hemiptera: Miridae), a Potential Biological Control Agent for Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in Australia

The life history and host specificity of Falconia intermedia in Australia were investigated. Adults and nymphs feed on the intercellular tissue on the underside of Lantana camara leaves. Eggs are deposited singly or in small clusters alongside veins and, on average, hatch in 12 days. Development to adult takes about 15 days and there are 5 instars. Females live for approximately 30 days and lay an average of 1.5 eggs/day. Oviposition occurred on all five L. camara phenotypes tested but subsequent development was significantly poorer on the pink-flowering phenotype. Forty-six plant species were tested to determine host specificity. The only species upon which adults fed and oviposited were L. camara and another introduced weed, Lippia alba. Both plant species supported populations of F. intermedia over several generations. F. intermedia did not display any predatory behaviour towards eggs, nymphs or larvae of either Aconophora compressa or Ectaga garcia, two other introduced biocontrol agents of L. camara. F. intermedia was approved for release in Australia in 2000.     

Residual effects of imidacloprid on Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) oviposition, egg hatch, and larval viability in turfgrass

Preventive control of turf-infesting scarabaeid grubs by neonicotinoid insecticides is presumed to mainly result from residues killing first instars in the soil. The extent to which sublethal behavioral effects or intoxication of other life stages contribute to such control is poorly known. We tested whether Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, females lay fewer eggs in turf treated with imidacloprid (Merit 75 WP) or an imidacloprid-bifenthrin combination (Allectus GC SC), and whether exposure to those residues in thatch and soil reduces their survival and subsequent ability to feed or take flight. Effects of imidacloprid residues on egg hatch and viability of successive larval instars also were studied. In two sets of choice tests, 68 and 82% fewer eggs were laid in Kentucky bluegrass with Allectus residues than in controls. When females were confined in treated turf, however, neither insecticide consistently reduced their fecundity or affected depth at which eggs were laid, although exposure to fresh Allectus residues reduced the beetles' subsequent viability. Imidacloprid residues up to 2 ppm in soil did not affect egg viability or days to hatch, but they killed neonates soon after eclosion. Imidacloprid curatively applied at label rate (0.34 kg active ingredient/ha) reduced weight gain, burrowing capability, frass production, and survival of second and third instars in turfgrass cores, with high mortality within 30 d. Intoxication and behavioral impairment of third instars also occurred in autumn field trials. Our data suggest that imidacloprid has greater activity against late instars than is generally appreciated.     

Suppression of growth and reproductive capacity of the weed Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) by Ophiomyia camarae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and Teleonemia scrupulosa (Heteroptera: Tingidae)

An 8-month study was conducted to determine the effect of herbivory by the herringbone leafminer Ophiomyia camarae Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and the lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Heteroptera: Tingidae) on growth and reproductive capacity of their host plant, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). Ophiomyia camarae adults were released into field cages at two population densities while T. scrupulosa, a widespread and naturalised biocontrol agent in South Africa, colonised and attacked uncaged plants of similar size grown under similar field conditions. At lower initial density, O. camarae reduced stem height, stem diameter, leaf density, flower density and above-ground biomass by 5, 22, 54, 100 and 41%, respectively. At higher initial density of O. camarae, stem height, stem diameter, leaf density, flower density and above-ground biomass were substantially reduced by 19, 28, 73, 99 and 49%, respectively. Teleonemia scrupulosa also reduced stem height, stem diameter, leaf density, flower density and above-ground biomass by 37, 34, 75, 100 and 50%, respectively. The root development was less affected by both O. camarae and T. scrupulosa. Whilst higher densities of O. camarae exerted noticeable herbivore pressure, T. scrupulosa herbivory substantially hampered plant growth and reproductive capacity even at lower population levels. These findings suggest that O. camarae, released in 2001 for the control of lantana, would be effective as part of a complementary guild of biological control agents. The profound effect of herbivory by T. scrupulosa on plant growth and reproductive capacity suggests that it is making a much greater contribution to the biological control of lantana in South Africa than was previously thought.     

Distribution and abundance of the herringbone leaf-miner,Ophiomyia camarae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in selected areas of Swaziland

The distribution and abundance of Ophiomyia camarae was determined in three ecological regions, i.e., highveld, middleveld, and lowveld of Swaziland. Within each region, sites were selected based on Lantana camara L. density, with 10 plants randomly chosen per sampling site. Ten leaves from each shrub were collected and assessed for any damage caused by the herringbone leaf-miner. Relative abundance, based on the number of shrubs damaged by the herringbone leaf-miner, was scored per site. Three lantana varieties were observed during the sampling period. There were significant differences in mean leaf damage due to leaf-miner activity between varieties (P=0.0162), with 46±4.89% leaves of the pale pink variety damaged compared to 23±5.56 and 21±3.53% leaves of the orange and pink varieties, respectively. While there were no restrictions in terms of distribution, the highest levels of O. camarae populations were observed in the middleveld (P=0.0012), suggesting that this region had the most suitable environmental conditions for this natural enemy. Overall, the abundance was significantly different between regions (P=0.006) and months (P=0.000), with April scoring the highest population levels. Based on our observations, the variation in environmental conditions has an influence on the activity of O. camarae, with the middleveld having the most suitable conditions     

Potential resistance of crape myrtle cultivars to flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) damage

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to identify potential resistance among crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp., to Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman and to flea beetles, Altica spp. Damage ratings revealed variation among cultivars in susceptibility to beetle feeding. Cultivars with Lagerstroemia fauriei Koehne in their parentage exhibited the least amount of damage in choice and no-choice experiments, with few exceptions. The data indicate that both beetle species cause more feeding damage on certain cultivars of Lagerstroemia indica L., such as 'Country Red', 'Twilight', and 'Carolina Beauty' than interspecific cultivars with L. fauriei in their parentage, such as 'Natchez', 'Tonto', and 'Muskogee'. When comparing the effect of parentage on all of the major pests of crape myrtle, L. faurei confers resistance to all pests except crape myrtle aphid. No correlation was found between leaf toughness, leaf color, and leaf nutrients in estimating flea beetle cultivar preference. With this information, growers can more effectively target scouting measures to the most susceptible cultivars. and breeders can select plants that will require the fewest chemical inputs.