Assessing the fundamental host-range of Leptinotarsa texana Schaeffer as an essential precursor to biological control risk analysis

Publication date: Available online 23 December 2019Source: Biological ControlAuthor(s): Greg Lefoe, Laurence Haegi, Libby Rumpff, David Gopurenko, Anthony T. Slater, Kym Butler, Cindy E. HauserAbstractThe leaf beetle Leptinotarsa texana Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was introduced to South Africa from the USA to control silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanales: Solanaceae). Subsequent post-release studies in South Africa found the beetle to be an effective, host-specific biocontrol agent of S. elaeagnifolium. Leptinotarsa texana has potential for biological control of S. elaeagnifolium in other countries where the weed adversely impacts agricultural production, including Australia. However, L. texana can only be introduced to Australia if risk analysis demonstrates that the agent poses a negligible or very low risk to the environment and economy. We initiated an assessment of the agent’s possible impact in Australia by prioritising non-target species, and conducting quarantine laboratory experiments on 49 Australian native species and economically important plant species and cultivars. We observed feeding damage greater than 50% leaf area removed on plants of 12 Australian Solanum spp. and two crop species (potato Solanum tuberosum L. and eggplant Solanum melongena L.). Leptinotarsa texana successfully developed from first instar larva to adult on 15 Australian Solanum spp. and two crop species (a single eggplant cultivar and four ...
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research