Releases, distribution and abundance of Gratiana boliviana in Florida

From 2003 to 2008, 176,643 Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were released in Florida as part of a biological control program targeting tropical soda apple (TSA) Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). The spatial distribution of releases was clustered with more beetles released in so...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Florida entomologist 2009-09, Vol.92 (3), p.450
Main Authors: Overholt, W.A, Diaz, R, Hibbard, K.L, Roda, A.L, Amalin, D, Fox, A.J, Hight, S.D, Medal, J.C, Stansly, P.A, Carlisle, B, Walter, J.H, Hogue, P.J, Gary, L.A, Wiggins, L.F, Kirby, C.L, Crawford, S.C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beetles
Biological control
Control
Distribution
Food and nutrition
Natural history
Weeds
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:From 2003 to 2008, 176,643 Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were released in Florida as part of a biological control program targeting tropical soda apple (TSA) Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). The spatial distribution of releases was clustered with more beetles released in south/central Florida than further north. A survey conducted in the fall of 2008 found G. bolviana present at >70% of randomly selected locations between 26° and 29° latitude, but no beetles were found at sites further north. The presence of beetles and beetle damage were associated with smaller TSA plants and fewer fruits per plant. The absence of beetles in northern Florida may be due to the fewer number released in that area, but also could be influenced by land cover and climate.
ISSN:0015-4040