Biology of immature stages and host range characteristics of Sudauleutes bosqi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a candidate biological control agent of exotic Ludwigia spp. in the USA

Authors

  • Amy DaSilva USDA-ARS, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, California 94710, USA
  • Angelica M. Reddy USDA-ARS, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, California 94710, USA
  • Paul D. Pratt USDA-ARS, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, California 94710, USA
  • Marielle S. Hansel Friedman USDA-ARS, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, California 94710, USA
  • Brenda J. Grewell USDA-ARS, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences Mail Stop 4, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA
  • Nathan E. Harms US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, 201 East Jones Street, Lewisville, Texas 75057, USA
  • Ximena Cibils-Stewart Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Ruta 50 Km 11, Colonia, Uruguay
  • Guillermo Cabrera Walsh Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas (FuEDEI), Simón Bolívar 1559, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires B1686EFA, Argentina
  • Ana Faltlhauser Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas (FuEDEI), Simón Bolívar 1559, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires B1686EFA, Argentina
  • Lourdes Chamorro Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, c/o Smithsonian Institution, Natural Museum of National History, 10th and Constitution N.W., MRC-168, Room CE521, Washington, DC 20013, USA

Abstract

South American invasive plants in the genus Ludwigia (Onagraceae) degrade many riparian and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Biological control may aid in the management of these exotic weeds, but data on the host specificity of Ludwigia natural enemies is limited. The biology and host range of Sudauleutes bosqi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an herbivore of Ludwigia spp. in South America, was studied to determine its suitability as a biological control agent for 3 exotic Ludwigia spp. (targets) in the US. Weevils maintained at 25 °C (± 1 °C) and a 14:10 h (L:D) photoperiod developed through 7 life stages, with a generation time from egg to adult of 17.6 (± 1.2) d when reared on the target weed Ludwigia hexapetala (Hook. & Arn.) Zardini, Gu & P. H. Raven (Onagraceae). There was no difference in mean body length between females (2.6 ± 0.1 mm) and males (2.5 ± 0.1 mm). No-choice and multiple-choice host range tests were conducted using 3 exotic Ludwigia spp. and 8 native US plant species. Sudauleutes bosqi larvae completed development on the 3 target weeds and 4 native plant species, and oviposition occurred on all but 1 of the plant species that supported larval development. In multiple-choice tests, S. bosqi oviposited on 9 of 11 plant species tested. Results indicate that host selection and development of S. bosqi is not limited to target weeds but also includes valued non-target species. Therefore, S. bosqi is not sufficiently host-specific for further consideration as a biological control agent of exotic Ludwigia spp. in the US and additional testing is not warranted.

Resumen

Las plantas invasoras sudamericanas del género Ludwigia (Onagraceae) degradan muchos ecosistemas ribereños y acuáticos en todo el mundo. El control biológico puede ayudar en el manejo de estas malas hierbas exóticas, pero los datos sobre la especificidad de hospedero de los enemigos naturales de Ludwigia son limitados. Se estudió la biología y el rango de hospederos de Sudauleutes bosqi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), un herbívoro de Ludwigia spp. en América del Sur para determinar su sostenebilidad como agente de control biológico de 3 especies exóticas de Ludwigia spp. (objetivos) en los EE.UU. Los gorgojos mantenidos a 25 °C (± 1 °C) con un fotoperíodo de 14:10 h (L:D) se desarrollaron a lo largo de 7 estadios de vida, con un tiempo de generación de huevo a adulto de 17,6 (± 1,2) dias cuando se criaron en la maleza objetivo Ludwigia hexapetala (Hook. & Arn.) Zardini, Gu & PH Raven (Onagraceae). No hubo diferencia en la longitud corporal media entre las hembras (2,6 ± 0,1 mm) y los machos (2,5 ± 0,1 mm). Se realizaron pruebas de variedad de hospederos de opción múltiple y de elección múltiple utilizando 3 especies exóticas de Ludwigia spp. y 8 especies de plantas nativas de EE. UU. Las larvas de Sudauleutes bosqi completaron el desarrollo en las 3 malezas objetivo y las 4 especies de plantas nativas, y la oviposición sucedió en todas menos 1 de las especies de plantas que apoyaron el desarrollo de las larvas. En las pruebas de opción múltiple, S. bosqi ovipositó en 9 de las 11 especies de plantas analizadas. Los resultados indican que la selección de hospederos y el desarrollo de S. bosqi no se limita a las malas hierbas objetivo, sino que también incluyen valiosas especies no objetivo. Por lo tanto, S. bosqi no es lo suficientemente específico para el hospedero como para ser considerado como un agente de control biológico de especies exóticas de Ludwigia en los EE. UU. y no se garantizan pruebas adicionales.

Key Words: aquatic weeds; invasive species; water primroses; development; host specificity; Auleutes bosqi

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Published

2022-10-07

Issue

Vol. 105, No. 3 (September 2022)

Section

Research Papers

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