Dispersal and Establishment of New Populations of the Biological Control Agent Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) on Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae)

Authors

  • Ellen C. Lake USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
  • Melissa C. Smith USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
  • Paul D. Pratt USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
  • Anthony J. Boughton University of Florida, Tropical Research & Education Center, Homestead, FL 33031
  • Robert W. Pemberton Research Associate, Florida Museum of Natural History; USDA-Agricultural Research Service (retired)

Keywords:

eriophyid mite, gall, weed biological control, wind dispersal

Abstract

The mite Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), a biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae), Old World climbing fern, was released in south Florida from 2008 to 2010 but did not readily establish in the field. The original release sites were resurveyed in 2013 and the mite has established within Jonathan Dickinson State Park and has dispersed to L. microphyllum patches outside the park at a rate of 3.5 ± 0.6 km/yr. The mite has also dispersed to the Cape Sable region of Everglades National Park.

 

El ácaro Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki y Boczek (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), un agente de control biológico de Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae), un helecho trepador del Mundo Antiguo, fue liberado en el sur de la Florida del 2008 hasta el 2010, pero no se estableció fácilmente en el campo. Se realizó un sondeo de nuevo en el 2013 de los sitios originales donde fueron liberadas y el ácaro se ha establecido dentro del Parque Estatal de Jonathan Dickinson y se ha dispersado a parches de L. microphyllum fuera del parque a una velocidad de 3.5 ± 0.6 km/año. El ácaro se ha dispersado a la región del Cabo Sable del Parque Nacional Everglades.

 

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Published

2014-06-21

Issue

Vol. 97, No. 2 (June 2014)

Section

Scientific Notes

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