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Biocontrol of Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) with Chrysolina hyperici and a Host-Specific Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Kimberly D. Morrison ,
Edward G. Reekie  and
Klaus I. N. Jensen
Kimberly D. Morrison
Affiliation:
Biology Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada BOP 1X0
Edward G. Reekie
Affiliation:
Biology Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada BOP 1X0
Klaus I. N. Jensen
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5
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Abstract

Common St. Johnswort is widespread in eastern Canada but it seldom constitutes a serious weed problem. A demographic study conducted in 1993 and 1994 at four typical undisturbed sites indicated that 36 to 96% of established St. Johnswort shoots died during the growing season. Mortality was always associated with infection by a host-specific Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The leaf-feeding beetle Chrysolina hyperici occurred at all sites and caused maximum midsummer defoliation of 27% in 1993 and 51% in 1994. Healthy plants readily recovered from defoliation during pupation of the fourth instar of the insect in June and following adult estivation in August. Although widespread, C. hyperici populations appear transient and alone do not cause sustained feeding pressure resulting in weed control. When Chrysolina larvae and adults were collected at six field sites and placed on healthy seedlings under controlled conditions, up to 36% of the plants became infected with C. gloeosporioides. Scanning electron micrographs commonly showed Colletotrichum conidia among the setae on legs, tarsal pads, and antennae of adults and larvae. In a series of three experiments conducted under controlled conditions in which Chrysolina larvae and adults were placed on healthy plants after feeding on diseased ones, the incidence of infection ranged from 63 to 100%. Hence, under favorable conditions Chrysolina adults may selectively transmit the pathogen in the field. This study demonstrated the potential of enhancing biological control of weeds by insects with the integration of an effective, host-specific pathogen.

Keywords

Common St. Johnswort, Hypericum perforatum L. # HYPPEChrysolina hyperici (Forester) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidea)Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc.Classical biological controldiseasedemographyherbivoryintegrated controlAphis chlorisC.g.-hypericum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. hypericumPDA, potato dextrose agar
Type
Research
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1998 , pp. 426 - 435
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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