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Host Specificity and Environmental Impact of the Weevil Hylobius transversovittatus, a Biological Control Agent of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Bernd Blossey ,
Dieter Schroeder ,
Stephen D. Hight  and
Richard A. Malecki
Bernd Blossey
Affiliation:
Int. Inst. of Biol. Control, European Stn. 1, Chemin des Grillons, CH-2800 Delémont, Switzerland
Dieter Schroeder
Affiliation:
Int. Inst. of Biol. Control, European Stn. 1, Chemin des Grillons, CH-2800 Delémont, Switzerland
Stephen D. Hight
Affiliation:
USDA, ARS, Insect Biocontrol Lab., Bldg. 406, BARC-East, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
Richard A. Malecki
Affiliation:
U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., New York Cooperative Fish & Wildl. Res. Unit., Fernow Hall, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853
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Abstract

Introduction of purple loosestrife into North America and its spread into wetlands has led to the degradation of these important habitats for wildlife. Conventional control efforts are unsuccessful in providing long-term control. A classical biological control program offers the best chance for reducing the numbers of this invasive plant and improving regeneration of the native flora and fauna. European studies demonstrated that the root boring weevil Hylobius transversovittatus is highly host specific to the target weed. Attack of two test plant species (winged lythrum and swamp loosestrife) during host range screening was most likely due to artificial test conditions. An environmental assessment of the potential effects of the release of the purple loosestrife borer in North America indicated that benefits outweigh any potential negative impact Therefore its field release was approved in 1992.

Keywords

Purple loosestrife borer, Hylobius transversovittatus Goezepurple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. # LYTSAwinged lythrum, Lythrum alatum Pursh # LYTALswamp loosestrife, Decodon verticillatus (L.) Ell. # DEOVEBiological controlpurple loosestrife borerwetlandsLYTSALYTALDEOVE
Type
Special Topics
Information
Weed Science , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , March 1994 , pp. 128 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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