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Establishment in Missouri of Rhinocyllus conicus for the Biological Control of Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Benjamin Puttler
Affiliation:
Agric. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agric. and Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn., Columbia, MO 65201
S. H. Long
Affiliation:
Agric. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agric. and Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn., Columbia, MO 65201
E. J. Peters
Affiliation:
Agric. Res. Serv., U. S. Dep. Agric. and Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn., Columbia, MO 65201

Abstract

A weevil, (Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich) was introduced into Missouri in 1975 to aid in reducing populations of musk thistle, (Carduus nutans L.). The weevil was recovered in 1976 from as far as 3.2 km from the release site and 4.8 km in 1977. Infestation levels of flower heads at the release site ranged from 46 to 90%. Native parasites (Bracon mellitor Say) and [Aliolus curculionis (Fitch)] were reared from weevil larvae.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1978 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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