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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227348
Title: Geographic range expansion of Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to the Bahamian Archipelego

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item Rayamajhi, Min
item Center, Ted

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2008
Publication Date: 12/15/2008
Citation: Pratt, P.D., Rayamajhi, M.B., Center, T.D. Geographic range expansion of Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to the Bahamian Archipelago. Florida Entomologist. 91(4):695-697. 2008.

Interpretive Summary: The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosa is a specialized herbivore of Melaleuca quinquenervia and other closely related congeners. The weevil was intentionally introduced into Florida, USA in 1997 and was recently discovered on the Bahamian island of New Providence, some 300 km east, feeding on naturalized M. quinquenervia trees. The weevil has colonized M. quinquenervia stands in the southern part of the island and is expected to spread to all invaded habitats. Oxyops vitiosa is unlikely to harm native plant species but will impact ornamental landscape plantings of M. quinquenervia.

Technical Abstract: The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosa is a specialized herbivore of Melaleuca quinquenervia and other closely related congeners. The weevil was intentionally introduced into Florida, USA in 1997 and was recently discovered on the Bahamian island of New Providence, some 300 km east, feeding on naturalized M. quinquenervia trees. The weevil has colonized M. quinquenervia stands in the southern part of the island and is expected to spread to all invaded habitats. Oxyops vitiosa is unlikely to harm native plant species but will impact ornamental landscape plantings of M. quinquenervia.