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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Invasive Species and Pollinator Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321562
Research Project: Management of Invasive Weeds in Rangeland, Forest and Riparian Ecosystems in the Far Western U.S. Using Biological Control

Location: Invasive Species and Pollinator Health

Title: Development rate, consumption and host specificity of Carea varipes (Lepidoptera: Nolidae)

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item HERDONICA, KARENYN - St Thomas University
item VALENTINE, VANESSA - St Thomas University
item MAKINSON, JEFF - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item PURCELL, MATTHEW - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item Mattison, Elizabeth
item Rayamajhi, Min
item RAGHU, S. - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item Moran, Patrick

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2016
Publication Date: 4/14/2016
Citation: Pratt, P.D., Herdonica, K., Valentine, V., Makinson, J., Purcell, M., Mattison, E.D., Rayamajhi, M.B., Raghu, S., Moran, P.J. 2016. Development rate, consumption and host specificity of Carea varipes (Lepidoptera: Nolidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 109(4):513-517. doi: 10.1093/aesa/saw021.

Interpretive Summary: The Asian shrub Rhodomyrtus tomentosa or downy rose myrtle is an invasive weed in Florida and Hawaii, USA. Surveys for natural enemies of this exotic shrub in Hong Kong, China resulted in the development of a laboratory colony and initial host range testing of the moth Carea varipes as a potential biological control agent of the weed. Twelve critical test plant species were presented to C. varipes larvae but complete development was limited to down rose myrtle, the ornamental Myrtus communis, and the Florida native Morella cerifera. Despite an apparent preference for downy rose myrtle, it is clear that the diet of C. varipes includes the Florida native M. cerifera and the ornamentally important M. communis. The generalized feeding patterns exhibited in this research indicates that additional resources dedicated to the development of this species as a biological control agent are unwarranted.

Technical Abstract: The Asian shrub Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is an invasive weed in Florida and Hawaii, USA. Surveys for natural enemies of this exotic shrub in Hong Kong, China resulted in the development of a laboratory colony and initial host range testing of Carea varipes as a potential biological control agent of R. tomentosa. Twelve critical test plant species were presented to C. varipes larvae but complete development was limited to R. tomentosa, the ornamental Myrtus communis, and the Florida native Morella cerifera. Total development time was > 10 days faster when held with R. tomentosa and M. communis versus M. cerifera, with the latter species requiring an extra larval instar to reach the pupal stage. Total consumption levels over an individual’s larval stage were similar among R. tomentosa and M. cerifera but, when the longer development time associated with the latter host is accounted for; consumption rates indicate that larvae consumed >2 times more leaf material when held with the Florida native. Despite an apparent preference for R. tomentosa, it is clear that the physiological host range of C. varipes includes the Florida native M. cerifera and the ornamentally important M. communis. The generalized feeding patterns exhibited in this research indicates that additional resources dedicated to the development of this species as a biological control agent are unwarranted.