Host range of Caloptilia triadicae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): an adventive herbivore of Chinese tallowtree (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae)

Authors

  • James G. Duncan USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • M. Sedonia Steininger USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Susan A. Wright USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Greg S. Wheeler USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Lab, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA

Keywords:

Triadica sebifera, Gracillariidae, biological control of weeds, multiple-choice test

Abstract

An adventive herbivore of the invasive weed Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera [L.] Small; Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) first appeared in North America in 2004. Identified as a Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), this leaf miner was found damaging T. sebifera saplings. In Gainesville, Florida, we exposed naturalized populations of C. triadicae to Chinese tallowtree and related plant species in multiple-choice tests. Our findings indicated that the larvae of this species had a narrow host range as they readily fed and completed development on Chinese tallowtree leaves. The only exception to this specificity was larval feeding and development on the native oysterwood, Gymnanthes lucida Sw. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae). Naturalized populations of C. triadicae were also found in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida, feeding and developing on ornamental populations of G. lucida.

 

Sumario

 

Un herbívoro adventivo de la maleza invasora Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera [L.] Small; Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) apareció por primera vez en América del Norte en 2004. Identificado como Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), este minador se encontró dañar T. sebifera plantones. En Gainesville, Florida, expusimos poblaciones naturalizadas de C. triadicae a Chinese tallowtree y especies de plantas relacionadas en las pruebas de selección múltiple. Nuestros resultados indican que las larvas de esta especie tenía un estrecho rango de huéspedes, muy ancho, ya que alimentaron y desarrollaron solamente en las hojas Chinese tallowtree. La única excepción a esta especificidad fue la alimentación y el desarrollo de las larvas en el oysterwood nativo, Gymnanthes lucida Sw. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae). También se encontraron poblaciones naturalizadas de C. triadicae en los condados Miami-Dade y Broward, Florida, que se alimentaron y se desarrollaronsobre poblaciones ornamentales de G. lucida.

 

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Published

2015-12-30

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 1 (March 2016)

Section

Scientific Notes

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