Herbivorous insects associated with Ludwigia peploides in the southern United States

The wetland plant Ludwigia peploides (floating primrose-willow) often is problematic in the southern USA, as well as elsewhere in its introduced range. Surveys to identify potential herbivorous insects to use as biological controls have focused on South America, but implementing a management program...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Southwestern Naturalist 2012, Vol.57 (1), p.123
Main Authors: Harms, Nathan E, Grodowitz, Michael J
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental aspects
Evening primrose
Insect-plant relationships
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The wetland plant Ludwigia peploides (floating primrose-willow) often is problematic in the southern USA, as well as elsewhere in its introduced range. Surveys to identify potential herbivorous insects to use as biological controls have focused on South America, but implementing a management program with foreign insects in the USA is difficult and can take years of testing in quarantine. During 2006-2008, populations of floating primrose-willow were surveyed in the southern USA to determine presence and extent of native herbivorous insects. At least nine species were identified, represented mainly by weevils (Curculionidae) and leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). Of these, two were undescribed species of weevils (Auleutes), and six species, including Tyloderma sphaerocarpae and Chaetocnema, have never been associated with floating primrose-willow.
ISSN:0038-4909