Changes in diversity, distribution and abudance of arthropods associated with Salvinia minima Baker

The presence of Common Salvinia, Salvinia minima, in addition to other aquatic invasive plants has changed the landscape in southern Louisiana swamps. These densely packed aquatic plants form a floatant, a unique habitat which changes in structure throughout the year. Insects utilizing the plant mat interact with a group of weevils (Curculionidae) released for biological control of aquatic weeds, potentially altering their ability to control their hosts plants. For this study, a Cypress-Tupelo hardbottom freshwater swamp in Gramercy, LA with high populations of aquatic invasive weeds was sampled biweekly from May to November of 2009. During the study period plant community composition, plant height, water depth, and temperature were recorded at each collection date. Insect specimens were identified to a practical level using existing keys and help from specialists. Preliminary data from 9 collection dates include 5193 individual specimens representing 5 orders (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Blattodea), for a current total of 161 species across 55 families.