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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318643
Title: Laboratory and field-based temperature-dependent development of a monophagous weevil: implications for integrated weed management

Author
item HOUGH-GOLDSTEIN, JUDITH - University Of Delaware
item Lake, Ellen
item SHROPSHIRE, KIMBERLEY - University Of Delaware
item MOORE, REBECCA - University Of Delaware
item D'AMICO, VINCENT - Us Forest Service (FS)

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2015
Publication Date: 1/1/2016
Citation: Hough-Goldstein, J., Lake, E.C., Shropshire, K.J., Moore, R.A., D'Amico, V. 2016. Laboratory and field-based temperature-dependent development of a monophagous weevil: implications for integrated weed management. Biological Control. 92:120-127.

Interpretive Summary: Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae,) a host-specific stem-boring weevil, was imported from Asia to North America and approved for release as a classical biological control agent for the invasive annual vine Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross (Polygonaceae) in 2004. Its impact on the weed has been somewhat variable, depending in part on environmental conditions. We reared R. latipes in environmental chambers at different temperatures to determine the lower developmental threshold and number of degree days required for development. These results, along with known R. latipes reproductive parameters, were used to develop a simple population model, which was compared to field data from sites that were intensively monitored from 2008 – 2010. We estimated that no development would occur below 10.2 °C. On average, 358 degree days (°C) were required for development from egg to adult. An additional 139 degree days were needed for the preoviposition period. Field sites had relatively high P. perfoliata cover and low R. latipes densities in 2009 compared to either 2008 or 2010. Based on degree-day accumulations for these three years, the population model estimated that fewer than half the number of weevils would have been produced by the end of the season in 2009 as in 2008, and only about a quarter as many as in 2010. Substantially higher rainfall during April – June 2009 compared to 2008 and 2010 probably also helped promote more abundant P. perfoliata cover in 2009.

Technical Abstract: The stem-boring weevil, Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was imported from Asia to North America and approved for release as a classical biological control agent for the invasive annual vine Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross (Polygonaceae) in 2004. Its impact on the weed has been somewhat variable, depending in part on environmental conditions. We reared R. latipes in environmental chambers at different temperatures to determine the lower developmental threshold and number of degree days required for development. Results, along with known R. latipes reproductive parameters, were used to develop a simple population model, and compared to field data from sites that had been intensively monitored from 2008 - 2010. The lower developmental threshold was estimated at 10.2 °C. On average, 358 degree days (°C) were required for development from egg to adult, with an additional 139 degree days needed for the preoviposition period. Field sites had relatively high P. perfoliata cover and low R. latipes densities in 2009 compared to either 2008 or 2010. Based on degree-day accumulations for these three years, the population model estimated that fewer than half the number of weevils would have been produced by the end of the season in 2009 as in 2008, and only about a quarter as many as in 2010. Substantially higher rainfall during April - June 2009 compared to 2008 and 2010 probably also helped promote more abundant P. perfoliata cover in 2009.