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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #328719
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Utilization of an introduced weed biological control agent by a native parasitoid

Author
item Minteer, Carey
item Tipping, Philip
item Knowles, Brittany
item Valmonte, Ryann
item Foley Iv, Jeremiah
item GETTYS, LYN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2016
Publication Date: 9/1/2016
Citation: Minteer, C., Tipping, P.W., Knowles, B.K., Valmonte, R., Foley, J.R., Gettys, L.A. 2016. Utilization of an introduced weed biological control agent by a native parasitoid. Florida Entomologist. 99:576-577.

Interpretive Summary: A native parasitoid, Kalopolynema ema, that usually develops on the eggs of Megamelus davisi, has begun using a new host, Megamelus scutellaris, the introduced biological control agent for waterhyacinth. Parasitism rates were investigated in both field and tank settings. Parasitism rates varied between outdoor M. scutellaris rearing tanks and sentinel plants placed in the field, with parasitism rates in the tanks being higher.

Technical Abstract: A native parasitoid, Kalopolynema ema (Schauff and Grissell) (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), that usually parasitizes the eggs of Megamelus davisi VanDuzee (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), has begun utilizing a new host, Megamelus scutellaris (Berg) (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), the introduced biological control agent for waterhyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes. Parasitism rates were investigated in both field and tank settings. Parasitism rates varied between outdoor M. scutellaris rearing tanks and sentinel plants placed in the field, with parasitism rates in the tanks being higher.