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Host specificity of Larinus minutus Gyll. (Col., Curculionidae), an agent introduced for the biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweed in North America
Author(s) -
Jordan K.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1995.tb01359.x
Subject(s) - biology , curculionidae , weevil , biological pest control , centaurea , host (biology) , weed , host specificity , larva , invasive species , ecology , botany , zoology , asteraceae
The host specificity of the European seed‐head weevil Larinus minutus was investigated between 1985 and 1989 as a potential biocontrol agent of Centaurea maculosa and C. diffusa in North America. The results of adult feeding, oviposition and larval development tests with 44, 47 and 72 plant species, respectively, in nine families demonstrate its limited host range with a preference for Centaurea species in the subgenera Acrolophus, Calcitrapa and Jacea. L. minutus accepted and developed normally in the North American biotypes of both, spotted and diffuse knapweed, and was therefore recommended for introduction into the USA and Canada. Since its approval in 1991, it has been established at some field release sites.