Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

Studies on the fruit feeding weevil, paramecops farinosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Sri Lanka as a prospective weed biological control agent of invasive weed, calotropis spp

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

View Altmetrics

Wijeweera, W.P.S.N., Senaratne, K.A.D.W. and Dhileepan, K. (2021) Studies on the fruit feeding weevil, paramecops farinosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Sri Lanka as a prospective weed biological control agent of invasive weed, calotropis spp. Journal of Biological Control, 34 (4). pp. 241-250. ISSN 0971930X (ISSN)

[img]
Preview
PDF
1MB

Article Link: https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/2020/26472

Publisher URL: http://www.informaticsjournals.in/index.php/jbc/article/view/26472/20215

Abstract

Calotropis gigantea is a large shrub or a small tree native to Sri Lanka with an Ayurvedic medicinal value. The plant is considered as an invasive weed in countries where it has been introduced. Paramecops farinosa Schoenherr (Aak weevil) is a monophagous pest that feeds on C. gigantea. Present study was conducted to elucidate the life history and damage potential of P. farinosa, in order to assess its potential as a biological control agent against C. procera and C. gigantea in countries where the plants are invasive. The field sampling was done throughout Sri Lanka covering 120 sampling sites from December 2014 to October 2015, and C. gigantea fruits were examined for the incidence and intensity of damage by P. farinosa. It lays yellowish, oval and mostly one-clustered eggs in the inner-pericarp fibrous layer of the Calotropis fruit. Newly emerged larvae were apodous, pale yellowish-white with brown head capsule whereas developing larvae were creamy-white, curved and stout. Paramecops farinosa larvae voraciously feed on all Calotropis seeds (100%) and fifth larval instar pupated by forming silky cocoons within the seed chamber. The adults feed on leaves, buds and flowers and its damage is highly correlated with the amount of P. farinosa inhabit on trees. P. farinosa is a seed predator and highly damage reproductive structures of C. gigantea thus directly influences the reproductive ability of the plant. These results provide baseline information needed in adopting P. farinosa as potential biological control agent against C. procera and C. gigantea. © 2021, Informatics Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Biosecurity Queensland
Keywords:Bio control Calotropis gigantea Invasive species Paramecops farinosa
Subjects:Science > Invasive Species > Plants > Biological control
Plant pests and diseases > Weeds, parasitic plants etc
Plant pests and diseases > Pest control and treatment of diseases. Plant protection
Live Archive:31 May 2021 05:41
Last Modified:11 Sep 2023 05:58

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics