Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Title: Utilization of an introduced weed biological control agent by a native parasitoidAuthor
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Minteer, Carey |
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Tipping, Philip |
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Knowles, Brittany |
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Valmonte, Ryann |
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Foley Iv, Jeremiah |
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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. |