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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355055
Research Project: Identification, Evaluation, and Implementation of Biological Control Agents for Invasive Weeds of Southeastern Ecosystems

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Toxic peptides in populations of two pergid sawflies, potential biocontrol agents of Brazilian peppertree

Author
item BOEVE, JEAN-LUC - Royal Belgian Institute Of Natural Sciences (IRSNB/KBIN)
item ROZENBERG, RAOUL - University Of Louvain
item MC KAY, FERNANDO - Fuedei
item Wheeler, Gregory

Submitted to: Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2018
Publication Date: 12/1/2018
Citation: Boeve, J., Rozenberg, R., Mc Kay, F., Wheeler, G.S. 2018. Toxic peptides in populations of two pergid sawflies, potential biocontrol agents of Brazilian peppertree. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 44(12):1139-1145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-018-1021-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-018-1021-6

Interpretive Summary: Determination of the safety of potential agents prior to release is one of the most important research goals in biological control. In addition to concerns for the safety of non-target plants, determination of the potential toxic properties of new agents needs to be assessed prior to release. Numerous plant feeding insects are defended by chemicals against the attack of predators. Some of these defensive compounds could pose an environmental risk if an agent is released in the invaded range. Here, larvae of two sawflies, Heteroperreyia hubrichi and H. jorgenseni, were analyzed to investigate whether they contain toxic chemicals. One of these species is a potential candidate for biological control of the invasive weed Brazilian peppertree in Florida and Hawaii. The chemical analyses revealed the presence of chemicals known to be toxic to livestock. All toxic chemicals occurred at lower concentrations compared with other toxic species from this sawfly family. However, the concentrations of these chemicals are of concern for the welfare of wildlife and livestock that may be exposed to these species. These results demonstrate that release of this biological control agent in the invaded range may pose an environmental threat.

Technical Abstract: Determination of the safety of potential agents prior to release is one of the most important research goals in biological control. In addition to concerns for the safety of non-target plants, determination of the potential toxic properties of new agents needs to be assessed prior to release. Numerous phytophagous insects are defended by chemicals against the attack of natural enemies. Some of these defensive compounds could pose an environmental risk if an agent is released in the invaded range. Here, larvae of two pergid sawflies, Heteroperreyia hubrichi and H. jorgenseni, were analyzed by LC-MS/MS to investigate whether they contain purportedly toxic peptides. The first species is a potential candidate for biological control of the invasive weed Brazilian peppertree in Florida and Hawaii. The chemical analyses revealed the presence of the peptides pergidin (Perg), 4-valinepergidin (VPerg), dephosphorylated pergidin (dpPerg), lophyrotomin (LGln and LGlu). All peptides occurred at lower concentrations compared with purportedly toxic species of this sawfly family. However, the concentrations of the peptides are of concern for the welfare of wildlife and livestock that may be exposed to these species. These results demonstrate that release of this biological control agent in the invaded range may pose an environmental threat.