Using simulated herbivory to predict the efficacy of a biocontrol agent: the effect of manual defoliation and Macaria pallidata Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) herbivory on Mimosa pigra seedlings |
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Authors: | Laura Wirf |
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Affiliation: | Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, PO Box 30, Palmerston, NT 0831, Australia. |
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Abstract: | Abstract The effect of manual defoliation, and real and simulated herbivory by the leaf-feeding moth Macaria pallidata on the growth and biomass of Mimosa pigra seedlings was assessed to determine the likely success of defoliating herbivores as biocontrol agents against the weed. Manual removal of at least half of all leaf material, maintained over a 6-week period, significantly suppressed plant growth, as did a single week of herbivory by M. pallidata larvae. This suggests that M. pallidata and other defoliators have the potential to be highly successful agents in the biological control program for M. pigra. |
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Keywords: | biological control compensation herbivory Macaria pallidata Mimosa pigra simulated herbivory. |
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