Gary R. Buckingham

Host range of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae), under quarantine

Abstract Research on the natural enemies of the Australian tree Melaleuca quinquenervia, a dominant, adventive weed of wetland habitats in south Florida, USA began in the late 1970s. Since then host-range tests have been conducted in Australia and Florida on three insect species: a weevil, a sawfly, and a psyllid. Herein we discuss the host-range studies of the psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae conducted in quarantine in Florida. Tests showed that the host range is very narrow, limited to one Melaleuca species, M. quinquenervia. One time, a few psyllids developed on a different species, Callistemon (=Melaleuca) citrinus, broad-leaf form, but repeated efforts to rear it again failed. In its Australian homeland, B. melaleucae has been collected on 5 closely related broad-leaved Melaleuca species including M. quinquenervia; it developed on 2 of 4 species tested, M. viridiflora (28%) and M. quinquenervia (37%). There was also 2% development on a 6th narrow-leaved Melaleuca species, M. nodosa. In the New World, there are no native Melaleuca species; in the United States, there is one introduced group, Callistemon (=Melaleuca), which is of commercial value and just one naturalized species, M. quinquenervia, which has no commercial value. Because of the near absence of Melaleuca species and B. melaleucae’s narrow host range and ability to severely damage or kill M. quinquenervia, we concluded that field release of B. melaleucae in south Florida would be safe. The first releases were made in February 2002.

Whether to release Oxyops vitiosa from a second Australian site onto Florida's melaleuca? A molecular approach

Quarantine colonies of the melaleuca snout beetle Oxyops vitiosa, the first melaleuca-feeding insect released in Florida, consisted of individuals collected from the Burpengary region (near Brisbane) of Queensland and their descendants. Constraints on the number of weevils available at this site motivated us to import weevils from a second site (Bundaberg). While individuals from the two sites could not be differentiated using taxonomic characters, the weevils from Bundaberg were consistently larger. This prompted concern that Bundaberg individuals might differ genetically from the quarantine population thus confounding the original host specificity studies. In a worse case scenario, the Bundaberg population might represent a separate sub-species or even a separate (cryptic) species. RAPD analysis was conducted on individuals from the two sites and on an outlier species, Gonipterus scutellatus. Neighbor Joining analysis clearly delineated the two species and also indicated some differentiation of individuals from the two O. vitiosa sites. Bootstrap analysis, however, indicated little statistical support for this intraspecific differentiation. Principal Coordinate analysis distinguished individuals from the two populations, and even distinguished two sub-populations from Bundaberg. AMOVA analysis indicated most of the variation occurred within populations but that the between population variance was significant. We conclude that further limited specificity testing and field host range observations should be conducted on the Bundaberg population before release into Florida.

Genetic Characterization of a Putative Densovirus from the Mealybug Planococcus citri

Total genomic DNA preparations from the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, contained a DNA band corresponding to 5.5 kilobases. This DNA was a linear molecule and was cloned into pUC18. Nucleotide sequence determination indicated that it was the replicative form of a densovirus, most closely related to the virus from Periplaneta fuliginosa (smokybrown cockroach).

Physiological host range of two highly specialised mutualistic symbiotes: the fly Fergusonina turneri and its obligate nematode Fergusobia quinquenerviae, potential biocontrol agents of Melaleuca quinquenervia.

Abstract In Australia, galls develop on Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae) as a result of the mutualistic association between the fly Fergusonina turneri Taylor (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) and its obligate nematode Fergusobia quinquenerviae Davies & Giblin-Davis (Tylenchida: Sphaerulariidae). The nematode induces gall formation, whereas the fly promotes gall maturation. Together they exploit M. quinquenervia buds and may inhibit stem elongation and flower formation. We delimited the physiological host range of this pair to determine their suitability as biological control agents of invasive M. quinquenervia populations in Florida, USA. Host use was assessed for eight species of Myrtaceae native to Florida, eight phylogenetically related ornamental species and oviposition alone on five non-myrtaceous species. Although oviposition was less specific, galls developed and matured only on M. quinquenervia. After establishment, galls are predicted to prevent flower and seed production, thereby reducing the regenerative potential of M. quinquenervia. This is the first example of an insect/nematode mutualism released as biological control agents of an invasive plant.

Workshop on Important Arthropod Pests of the Caribbean Basin Amenable to Biological Control: Homoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera: Role of Quarantine Facilities in Biological Control

Quarantine facilities play an important role in classical biological control programs. Imported natural enemies can be identified, cleaned of diseases and hyperparasites, and studied in a secure quarantine facility without risk to the environment. Personnel at the facilities advise other researchers about regulations and techniques for importation, document results of the importations through shipment record forms, annual reports, and voucher specimens, and conduct research on biologies and host ranges of natural enemies. Not only does the quarantine facility help allay the fears of the public about the dangers of importing foreign organisms, it also protects the researcher from blame for accidental introductions not associated with the researchers project.

Laboratory host range of Austromusotima camptozonale (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a potential biological control agent of Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae).

Abstract Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, is one of the most serious invasive weeds impacting south Florida and development of biological control is crucial for sustainable management. Larvae of a small moth, Austromusotima camptozonale, were discovered defoliating L. microphyllum in Australia. Preliminary testing suggested this moth was a Lygodium specialist. Laboratory host range testing was conducted on 65 species of test plants, from 31 families, comprising seven Lygodium species, four close relatives, 45 other species of ferns and fern allies, eight agricultural crops and one gymnosperm species plus the primary host L. microphyllum. Significant oviposition occurred only on other species of Lygodium. No eggs were laid on the agricultural crops, or about half the species of non-Lygodium ferns and fern allies tested. Oviposition on the other non-Lygodium ferns was very low, except on Anemia adiantifolia and Blechnum serrulatum, which received modest egg loads, but did not support development to adult. Larval feeding was low to non-existent on all the non-Lygodium species. Larvae developed to adult only on the native, American climbing fern L. palmatum, and to a lesser extent on L. japonicum. Lygodium japonicum is a naturalized invasive weed in the United States. Colonies of A. camptozonale were unable to persist on L. palmatum and died out in two to seven generations. Freezing winter temperatures in states where L. palmatum occurs would be lethal to A. camptozonale. It was concluded that A. camptozonale would pose no threat to native or cultivated plants in North America or the Caribbean and should be considered as a weed biological control agent against L. microphyllum.

Scientific Notes: Lemnaphila Scotlandae (Diptera: Ephydridae) and Three of its Parasites Discovered in Florida

POE, S. L. 1973. Tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella (Walshingham) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) in Florida. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Consumer Serv., Div. Plant Ind., Entomol. Cir. No. 131., 2 pp. SCHUSTER, D. J. & R. L. Burton. 1982. Rearing the tomato pinworm (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) in the laboratory. J. Econ. Entomol. 75: 1164-1165. SWANK, G. R. 1937. Tomato pin worm [Gnorimoschema lycopersicella (Busck)] in Florida. Florida Entomol. 20: 33-42. WALZ, A. J. 1948. Some studies on the life history of the tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella (Busck). MS thesis, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley. WEINBERG, H. L. & W. H. LANGE. 1980. Developmental rate and lower temperature threshold of the tomato pinworm. Environ. Entomol. 9: 245-246.

Reece I. Sailer 1915–86

Reece 1. Sailer, graduate research professor emeritus, University of Florida, Gainesville, died of a heart attack on 8 September 1986 at his summer home in Rehoboth Beach, Del.