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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #239272
Title: Establishment of an imported natural enemy, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) against an invasive weed, Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in Florida

Author
item Boughton, Anthony
item Pemberton, Robert

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2009
Publication Date: 8/1/2009
Citation: Boughton, A.J., Pemberton, R.W. 2009. Establishment of an imported natural enemy, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) against an invasive weed, Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in Florida . Biocontrol Science and Technology, 19, 769-772.

Interpretive Summary: Neomusotima conspurcatalis, a candidate biological control agent against the invasive weed, Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, was released and established populations against this weed at three locations in Florida during 2008. A total of 31,091 insects were released. Ten months later populations estimated at 1.6 to 8.2 million larvae per site had defoliated over 14,000 square meters of L. microphyllum. Findings look promising for biocontrol of L. microphyllum in Florida.

Technical Abstract: Neomusotima conspurcatalis established populations against L. microphyllum at three locations in Florida during 2008. A total of 31,091 insects were released. Ten months later populations estimated at 1.6 to 8.2 million larvae per site had defoliated over 14,000 square meters of L. microphyllum. Findings look promising for biocontrol of L. microphyllum in Florida.