A villainous hero: does the biological control agent, Anthonomus santacruzi, pollinate its target weed, Solanum mauritianum?

This study assessed the impact of A. santacruzi florivory as well as the potential of the agent to act as an indirect pollinator. Floral damage caused by A. santacruzi was trivial, with only ∼5% of the anther and ∼2% of petal areas being removed. However, the subsequent effects of A. santacruzi were considerably more damaging, with 25% and 66% reductions in the flowering and fruiting of S. mauritianum inflorescences respectively. Additionally, fruit produced from inflorescences exposed to A. santacruzi were smaller in size, with fewer viable seeds. This suggests that in areas with well-established A. santacruzi populations, the agent may facilitate the self-pollination and subsequent inbreeding of S. mauritianum. Graphical abstract
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research