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Biology and host specificity of Spurgia capitigena (Bremi) (Dipt., Cecidomyiidae), for the biological control of Euphorbia esula L. in North America
Author(s) -
Sobhian R.,
Littlefield J.,
Cristofaro M.,
Mann K.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0418.2000.00490.x
Subject(s) - biology , cecidomyiidae , gall , midge , leafy , botany , biological pest control , host (biology) , ecology
Spurgia capitigena (Bremi) was evaluated as a potential biological control agent of leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. (species complex) in North America. To ascertain the host specificity of this gall midge, tests were conducted in the field at Cavaillon, France, and at laboratories located in Rome, Italy and Bozeman, Montana, USA, in 1994 and 1995. Twenty‐nine plant species, including eight native North American euphorbias and biotypes of E . esula , were evaluated. In the laboratory, the gall‐midge was able to induce galls on seven species of spurges (all belonging to the subgenus Esula) and the three accessions of leafy spurge. In field tests, S . capitigena infested only E . esula . The biology and host specificity of S . capitigena from France appears to be similar to that observed for Spurgia esulae Gagné from Italy (= Bayeria capitigena Bremi). In France, this gall‐midge was commonly observed from early May until October in habitats of very heavy and moist soils located along water channels, roadsides and in fruit orchards. Galls were induced on meristematic tissues, and thereby prevented flowering.