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Pre-release evaluation of the efficacy of the leaf-sucking bug Carvalhotingis visenda (Heteroptera: Tingidae) as a biological control agent for cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae)

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Conrad, K.A. and Dhileepan, K. (2007) Pre-release evaluation of the efficacy of the leaf-sucking bug Carvalhotingis visenda (Heteroptera: Tingidae) as a biological control agent for cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology, 17 (3). pp. 303-311.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09583150701211731

Publisher URL: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/home~db=all

Abstract

In classical weed biological control, assessing weed response to simulated herbivory is one option to assist in the prioritization of available agents and prediction of their potential efficacy. Previously reported simulated herbivory studies suggested that a specialist herbivore in the leaf-feeding guild is desirable as an effective biological control agent for cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), an environmental weed that is currently a target for biological control. In this study, we tested (i) whether the results from glasshouse-based simulated herbivory can be used to prioritise potential biological control agents by evaluating the impact of a leaf-sucking tingid bug Carvalhotingis visenda (Drake & Hambleton) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in quarantine; and (ii) the likely effectiveness of low- and high-densities of the leaf-sucking tingid after its release in the field. The results suggest that a single generation of C. visenda has the potential to reduce leaf chlorophyll content significantly, resulting in reduced plant height and leaf biomass. However, the impact of one generation of tingid herbivory on below-ground plant components, including the roots and tuber size and biomass, were not significant. These findings are consistent with results obtained from a simulated herbivory trial, highlighting the potential role of simulated herbivory studies in agent prioritisation.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:QPIF
Additional Information:© Taylor & Francis.
Keywords:Agent efficiency; biological control; cat's claw creeper; chlorophyll; herbivory; pre-release evaluation.
Subjects:Science > Zoology > Invertebrates > Insects
Science > Invasive Species > Plants > Biological control
Live Archive:01 Sep 2009 06:17
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:48

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