J. Howard Frank

Escapees and accomplices: the naturalization of exotic Ficus and their associated faunas in Florida.

Over 60 exotic Ficus (fig) species have been introduced into southern Florida as ornamentals. Three of these, F. altissima Blume, F. benghalensis L., and F. microcarpa L. are now weedy because they are pollinated routinely by immigrant agaonid wasps [Eupristina sp., Eupristina masoni Saunders, and Parapristina verticillata (Waterston) respectively]. Conditions for colonization by these wasps appear to have been met, and are potentially suitable for pollination of two other fig species. Four other immigrant wasp species (three pteromalids and a torymid) occupy the fruits of F. microcarpa and may interact with the pollinating wasps. Such interactions are more complex, but scarcely understood, in the native F. aurea Nuttall and F. citrifolia P. Miller, in which at least 10 and 14 species respectively of other animals occur routinely. These other animals include Hymenoptera (Torymidae, Eurytomidae, and Pteromalidae), Diptera (Cecidomyiidae), Coleoptera (Staphylinidae), Acarina (Tarsonemidae), and Nematoda (Diplogasteridae and Aphelenchoididae). Because of their potentially negative effect on agaonid populations, non-pollinating fig faunas should be examined to determine whether they may play a role in control of weedy figs.

A review of the natural enemies of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

A review of all the available information about the natural enemies reported in association with the red palm mite, Raoiella indica is presented. Twenty-eight species of predatory arthropods, including mites and insects, have been reported in association with R. indica in Asia, Africa and the Neotropics. In addition, pathogenic fungi associated with R. indica in the Caribbean have been reported. The available literature indicates that each site has a different natural enemy complex with only one predator species, Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), present in all the geographical areas. The phytoseiids, Amblyseius caudatus Berlese, Amblyseius channabasavanni Gupta and A. largoensis, were regarded as important natural enemies of R. indica, and their predatory efficiency was studied in some detail. Among the predatory insects the coccinellids Stethorus keralicus Kapur and Telsimia ephippiger Chapin were reported as major predators of R. indica. The known distribution, abundance and relative importance of each species reported in association with R. indica are discussed.

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.

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS: STEMMING THE TIDE IN FLORIDA

Invasive, adventive species present a significant challenge to environmental resource managers. Unless this problem is addressed, natural areas face loss of biodiversity and habitat integrity. Traditional control methods are often inappropriate or impractical for use in natural areas. Strategies using biological control, a discipline of applied ecology, offer the best hope for reducing deleterious impacts of invaders. Arguments by some ecologists that classical biological controls contribute to the problem appear unwarranted. These criticisms should not be dismissed out of hand, however. Instead, they should foster in biocontrol scientists a renewed dedication to the safe practice of their discipline and an increased concern for collateral impacts of released organisms on native species.

Effects of contrasting diets and temperatures on reproduction and prey consumption by Proprioseiopsis asetus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Proprioseiopsis asetus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a relatively unknown predacious mite with potential as a biological control agent of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). In this study, the developmental rate and other biological parameters of P. asetus were investigated. Development of P. asetus was temperature dependent from 10 to 40°C. Nonlinear models were fitted to development rate (1/time) data from egg to adult and by sex to estimate development times. The model of Sharpe and De Michele (1977) best fits the developmental data. The shortest development time on cattail (Typha latifolia (L.)) pollen occurred at 35°C for all stages except for the egg stage, for which it was longer. The optimum development time at 35°C is above the temperature optimum of most phytoseiid mites. Fecundity increased when P. asetus mated more than once. Males were needed at all times for maximum oviposition, although their consumption was negligible. Oviposition, prey killed (Franklinella occidentalis or T. urticae) and longevity of P. asetus females were recorded in the presence of males. Egg production increased with number of prey killed and P. asetus has the characteristics of successful predators of thrips.

Steinernema scapterisci as a Biological Control Agent of Scapteriscus Mole Crickets

Scapteriscus didactylus, Sc. abbreviatus, Sc. borellii and Sc. vicinus are South American mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) that have arrived in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, where they have become pests of turf- and pasture-grasses, vegetable seedlings and other crops. All four species have been targets of classical biological control. Three classical biological control agents have been introduced and established against them. A wasp, Larra bicolor (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), was introduced into Puerto Rico in the late 1930s, and decades later into Florida, whence it spread to Georgia and Mississippi. A nematode, Steinernema scapterisci (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), was introduced into Florida in 1985 and into Puerto Rico in 2001. A fly, Ormia depleta (Diptera: Tachinidae), was introduced into Florida in 1988. Steinernema scapterisci has been mass-produced on artificial diets and marketed as a biopesticide with a difference, in that it can establish permanent populations in sandy, low-organic soils with Scapteriscus mole crickets. As such, it can readily be deployed where its services are needed. It is highly specialized to the genus Scapteriscus, without non-target effects, and it is highly tolerant of chemical insecticides, thus adapted for use in integrated pest management strategies. It functions well against Scapteriscus adults (just like the other two biological control agents), but has limited effect against nymphs.

Reproductive Biology and Development of Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae), a Parasitoid of Bromeliad-eating Weevils

Abstract The biology and development of Lixadmontia franki Wood and Cave (Diptera: Tachinidae), an endoparasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils in the genus Metamasius, are described. Embryonic development is completed within 8 d post-mating while the egg is held inside the female reproductive system. Neonate larvae actively search for a host and initiate parasitism by penetrating the host’s cuticle. Larval developmental time and pupation at 20°C averaged 17 and 25 d, respectively, with no significant differences observed between genders. Adult males live on average 9 d compared to 17 d for females. Females are capable of parasitizing third to sixth instars of Metamasius quadrilineatus Chevrolat, but the highest levels of parasitism were observed when third and fourth instars were exposed to flies.

Oviposition Behavior of Pheropsophus aequinoctialis L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae): A Natural Enemy of Scapteriscus Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

In the southeastern United States, South American Scapteriscus mole crickets are serious pests of turf and pasture grasses and vegetable seedlings. The larval stage of Pheropsophus aequinoctialis L. is a specialist predator of Scapteriscus mole cricket eggs and is currently under evaluation as a potential biological control agent. The objective of this study was to understand the oviposition behavior of P. aequinoctialis. The results indicated that in two-choice substrate oviposition arenas, female P. aequinoctialis significantly preferred to lay eggs in sand with mole cricket tunnels compared with artificially created tunnels or sand without tunnels. Physical tunnel presence influenced oviposition depth, but was not the only factor influencing oviposition. The reproductive strategy and behavior of P. aequinoctialis is discussed in relation to its specialized life history and to other carabid beetles displaying close host associations.

A Worldwide Checklist of Parasites of Staphylinidae

This chapter attempts to document all the parasites of Staphylinidae worldwide. It is based on a 1982 work of the author and considers all changes in Staphylinidae taxonomy; in higher classifications of Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) , the most species-rich order of parasites (Laboulbeniales); and in the family Proctotrupidae (Hymenoptera). The host(s) and geographical distribution of the parasites (sensu latissimo) are documented by genus/species in descending species richness .

Description of the Larval Instars of Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Abstract We describe the larval stages of Lixadmontia franki Wood & Cave (Diptera: Tachinidae). The fly is a specialist parasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils and a potential biological control agent for controlling an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil, Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Florida. Morphological characteristics that can be used to distinguish the instars of L. franki, including the mouth hook and cephalopharyngeal skeleton, body size and color, spinulae patterns, and presence and structure of spiracles, are described, measured, and illustrated. Fly larvae live in the hosts body cavity and attach their caudal end to the hosts tracheal tubes. The first instar builds a respiratory funnel and the second instar remains attached to the same point and builds upon the funnel. The third instar does not build upon the respiratory funnel. The third instar disconnects from the respiratory funnel shortly before exiting the host. First and second instars are metapneustic, but the third instar is amphipneustic.