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Dispersal of Rhinocyllus conicus for Biocontrol of Musk Thistle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

J. M. Hodgson  and
N. E. Rees
J. M. Hodgson
Affiliation:
Agr. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agr., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59715
N. E. Rees
Affiliation:
Agr. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agr., Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59715
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Abstract

A weevil [Rhinocyllus conicus (Froelich)] host specific to Carduus, Cirsium, Silybum, and Onopordum, was introduced into Gallatin County, Montana, for biocontrol of musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.). Releases were made in 1969, 1971, 1972, and 1973 on local musk thistle infestations. The insects became established and overwintered successfully. In 1974, R. conicus was found over a 1,280-km2 area of the county in seed heads of musk thistle. Weevil larvae severely infected the primary flowers, but only a few secondary and later flowers were attacked. Seed production from infected primary flowers was greatly reduced, and other factors influenced reduction of seeds from secondary and later flowers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , January 1976 , pp. 59 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © 1976 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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