Dale H. Habeck

Biology and Laboratory Rearing of Episimus utilis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a Candidate for Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Anacardiaceae) in Florida

Abstract The biology of Episimus utilis Zimmerman, a natural enemy of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, was investigated in a quarantine laboratory as part of a classical biological control program against this invasive weed in Florida. Adults lived on average 6.8 ± 0.8 d, and a generation was completed in 43.6 d at a temperature of 22.0°C and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h. Peak egg production occurred 2 d after females eclosed from the pupal stage. Females deposited a maximum of 172 eggs, with an average daily maximum of 13.6 eggs. The durations of the egg, larval, and pupal stages were 5.9, 23.7 (five instars), and 12.0 d, respectively. Stage-specific life tables were constructed to calculate basic population statistics. Under laboratory conditions where predation and food supply were not limiting factors, a population of E. utilis was capable of multiplying its population by 1.17 times per day, and a doubling of the population would occur every 4.4 d. To date, 10 consecutive generations of E. utilis have been produced on potted Brazil peppertree plants in the laboratory. The potential effectiveness of E. utilis as a biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida was examined using Goeden’s revision of the Harris scoring system.

Fundamental host range of Pseudophilothrips ichini s.l. (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae): a candidate biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in the United States.

ABSTRACT Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) is a non-native perennial woody plant that is one of the most invasive weeds in Florida, Hawaii, and more recently California and Texas. This plant was introduced into Florida from South America as a landscape ornamental in the late 19th century, eventually escaped cultivation, and now dominates entire ecosystems in south-central Florida. Recent DNA studies have confirmed two separate introductions of S. terebinthifolius in Florida, and there is evidence of hybridization. A thrips, Pseudophifothrips ichini s.l. (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), is commonly found attacking shoots and flowers of S. terebinthifolius in Brazil. Immatures and occasionally adults form large aggregations on young terminal growth (stems and leaves) of the plant. Feeding damage by P. ichini s.l. frequently kills new shoots, which reduces vigor and restricts growth of S. terebinthifolius. Greenhouse and laboratory host range tests with 46 plant species in 18 families and 10 orders were conducted in Parana, Brazil, and Florida. Results of no-choice, paired-choice, and multiple-choice tests indicated that P. ichini s.l. is capable of reproducing only on S. terebinthifolius and possibly Schinus molle L., an ornamental introduced into California from Peru that has escaped cultivation and is considered invasive. Our results showed that P. ichini s.l. posed minimal risk to mature S. molle plants or the Florida native Metopium toxiferum L. Krug and Urb. In May 2007, the federal interagency Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents of Weeds (TAG) concluded P. ichini s.l. was sufficiently host specific to recommend its release from quarantine.

Supplementary host specificity testing of the sawfly Heteroperryia hubrichi, a candidate for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius, in the USA

Supplementary host specificity tests were conducted with the defoliating sawfly Heteroperreyia hubrichi (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), a candidate for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), in the United States. These tests were conducted as part of the environmental assessment required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The suitability of the federally listed endangered native plant Rhus michauxii (Anacardiaceae) and the economically important Litchi chinensis (Sapindaceae) as potential host plants for H. hubrichi was evaluated in a series of no-choice larval development tests conducted in a Florida quarantine laboratory. Neonate larvae transferred to individual test plants failed to develop to the pupal stage on R. michauxii or L. sinensis, whereas Brazilian peppertree supported development of the sawfly to pupation. The results of the additional host specificity tests indicated these critical non-target plants are not at risk from attack by H. hubrichi if it were released in Florida, USA.

Parasitoids of Dioryctria spp. (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera) Coneworms in Slash Pine Seed Production Areas of North Florida

Thirteen species of parasitic Hymenoptera and 2 species of tachinid flies were found parasitizing Dioryctria spp. coneworms in north Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii) seed orchards. Seven new host-parasite associations were recorded. Hyssopus rhyacioniae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was the most commonly collected parasite of D. amatella (Hulst), the most common coneworm attacking north Florida slash pine. Another eulophid (Pediobius n. sp.) was common and easily propagated in the laboratory on cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) pupae. Its value for release is questionable since it also is a hyperparasite. In limited tests, a new species of Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) parasitized up to 70% of the D. ebeli M & M eggs on cones placed in a seed orchard.

Symposium: Insect Behavioral Ecology--'84: Attracting Insects for Backyard Entomology

Many insects can be attracted and grown in even an urban yard by providing appropriate invitations and accommodations including flowers, nest sites and ponds.