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Population regulation of a classical biological control agent larval density dependence in Neochetina eichhorniae Coleoptera Curculionidae, a biological control agent of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

J.R.U. Wilson ,
M. Rees  and
O. Ajuonu
J.R.U. Wilson*
Affiliation:
NERC Centre for Population Biology and CABI Bioscience, Imperial College at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK DST-NRF Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
M. Rees
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
O. Ajuonu
Affiliation:
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA/BCCA, BP 08-0932, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, West Africa
*
*DST-NRF Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa: Fax +27 (0) 21 808 2995 E-mail: jrwilson@sun.ac.za
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Abstract

The release of classical biological control agents has reduced the economic, environmental and social problems caused by water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes; however, additional control measures are needed in some locations. Water hyacinth plants were treated with different densities of eggs of the weevil Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, one of the main control agents, under different nutrient regimes in a controlled experiment. Plants were destructively sampled and the development of N. eichhorniae was assessed. The survival of first and second instars declined as larval density increased. Plant nutrient status did not directly affect the mortality rate of larvae, but at higher nutrient concentrations larvae developed faster and were larger at a given developmental stage. It is argued that the density dependence operating in N. eichhorniae occurs through an interaction between young larvae and leaf longevity. Consequently, events which disrupt water hyacinth leaf dynamics, e.g. frost or foliar herbicides, will have a disproportionately large effect on the control agents and may reduce the level of control of the host.

Keywords

integrated pest managementdensity dependenceclassical biological controlweedsNeochetina eichhorniaeEichhornia crassipeswater hyacinth
Type
Review Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 96 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 145 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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