The 2005 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition
December 15-18, 2005
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

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Friday, December 16, 2005
D0051

Non-target effects of introduced biological control agents on native thistles in Tennessee

Gregory J. Wiggins, wiggybug@utk.edu, Jerome F. Grant, jgrant@utk.edu, and Paris L. Lambdin, plambdin@utk.edu. University of Tennessee, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Knoxville, TN

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, two weevil species, the head weevil (Rhinocyllus conicus) and the rosette weevil (Trichosirocalus horridus) were released in Tennessee as part of an IPM program to reduce populations of the invasive exotic musk thistle (Carduus nutans). These weevils have become established in Tennessee in areas infested with musk thistle, significantly reducing some populations. However, expansion of host ranges of these weevils beyond their target species has been observed in other regions of the United States, and there is concern that these weevils may feed on thistle species native to Tennessee. A survey was initiated in spring 2004 to investigate the incidence and impact of these two weevil species on native Cirsium thistles in Tennessee. Populations of native Cirsium species (C. altissimum, C. carolinianum, C. discolor, C. horridulum), as well as exotic thistles (C. vulgare, C. arvense, and Carduus nutans) were identified, and 10-20 plants from sites in each of fifteen counties were collected from the field, taken to the laboratory, and examined for herbivory by head and rosette weevils. Extent of weevil infestation on both native and exotic thistles and impact on seed production will be presented.


Species 1: Coleoptera Curculionidae Rhinocyllus conicus (head weevil)
Species 2: Coleoptera Curculionidae Trichosirocalus horridus (rosette weevil)
Species 3: Asterales Asteraceae Cirsium (thistle)
Keywords: Biological control, Non-target

Poster (.pdf format, 184.0 kb)