The suitability of select ferns as hosts for Archips machlopis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Authors

  • Paul D. Pratt USDA/ARS, Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, USA
  • Jeff R. Makinson USDA/ARS, Australian Biological Control Laboratory, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia
  • Matthew F. Purcell USDA/ARS, Australian Biological Control Laboratory, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia
  • Min B. Rayamajhi USDA/ARS, Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, 3225 College Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Keywords:

Old World climbing fern, exotic, invasive, Florida

Abstract

Surveys for natural enemies of Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Lygodiaceae) in Thailand resulted in the collection of Archips machlopis Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Multiple generations of the tortricid were reared on L. microphyllum in a quarantine laboratory, demonstrating that the plant is a developmental host. Further host specificity testing indicated that A. machlopis is able to complete development on 12 of the 15 fern species tested, confirming that the polyphagous herbivore’s diet includes Pteridophyta. These data also confirm that A. machlopis is not sufficiently host specific to be considered for biological control of L. microphyllum.

 

Sumario

Los sondeos para los enemigos naturales de Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Lygodiaceae) en Tailandia resultaron en la colección de Archips machlopis Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Varias generaciones del tortrícido fueron criadas sobre L. microphyllum en un laboratorio de cuarentena, lo que demuestra que la planta es un hospedero para su desarrollo. Pruebas adicionales de especificidad de hospedero indicaron que A. machlopis puede completar el desarrollo en 12 de las 15 especies de helechos probados, confirmando que la dieta del herbívoro polífago incluye Pteridophyta. Estos datos también confirman que A. machlopis no es suficientemente específico a los hospederos para ser considerado para el control biológico de L. microphyllum.


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Published

2016-06-07

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 3 (September 2016)

Section

Scientific Notes

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