J.P. Cuda1, J.L. Gillmore1, J.C. Medal1,
and B. R. Garcete-Barrett2
1Entomology & Nematology Dept., Gainesville, FL 32611-0620 2Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, 80035-010
Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae), a New Candidate for
BioControl of Brazilian peppertree,
Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae)
Acknowledgements
• Justin Bricker
• Lyle Buss
• Devon Donahue
• Kenia Duran-Aguirre
• Charles O‟ Brien
• Mary Wilson
• FWC
• SFWMD (Photo credit: Bryan Harry, NPS)
Outline
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Questions and Comments
TD
Outline
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Questions and Comments
TD
“ Bazillion PeppertreeSchinus howterribleyouvebeenforus ”
Galveston, Texas
. . . . Dan Clark, USFWS
Brazilian Peppertree (BP)
• ORIGIN- Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
• US DISTRIBUTION-- Arizona, CaliforniaFlorida, Hawaii,Texas, Louisiana,Caribbean Islands
• DESCRIPTION-- Evergreen Shrub- Compound Leaves- Red Berries- Dioecious- Several „Varieties‟
Native Range of BP
Current Distribution of BP
Wunderlin & Hansen (2008), Wildland Weeds (2007)
Supports Other Invasive Pests
Diaprepes Weevilhttp://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/citrus/S_R_B_W_TW4.htm
Redbanded Thripshttp://entnem.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/thrips/redbanded_thrips.htm#desc
Black IguanaJ. Jackson, FGCU
Public Health Threat
Reiskind et al. (2009)http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Animals/mosquitoes/Aedes_albopictus_P9071863.JPG
http://entoplp.okstate.edu/mosquito/images/aealboeggs4.jpg
Asian Tiger Mosquito
BP Pollen Causes Problems
Jarzen and Nelson (2008)
–“Nowhere in Brazil is [BP] invasive like it is in Florida . . .”
–“[BP] does not form pure dense stands in its native habitat . . . In most areas you really have to look for it . . .”
BP Not Invasive in Brazil
Campbell et al. (1980)
Southeastern Brazil
Growth Habit of BP
Everglades National Park
Photo Credit: D.C. Schmitz, FWC
Williams et al. (2005,2007)
West Coast (A)
East Coast (B)
Hybrids (A & B)
Punta Gorda
Miami
Brazil
Why is BP Invasive in Florida?
• Multiple Genotypes & Hybrid Vigor
Why is BP Invasive in Florida?
• Enemy Release Hypothesis (Williams 1954)
(or Escape from Natural Enemies)
– Native Specialist Enemies Strongly Control the Abundance and/or Distribution of Native Plants
– Escape from Specialist Enemies Key Contributor to Exotic Plant Success
– Enemy Escape Benefits Exotics
• Gain Competitive Advantage Over Native Plants That Have Natural Enemies
BP Targeted for BioControl
• Non-native Invasive Species
• Causes Severe Ecological Damage
• Toxic and Allergenic (Poison Ivy Family)
• Low Beneficial Value (Beekeepers?)
• Conventional Controls Temporary, Costly
• No Native Congeners in US !!!
Candidate BioControl Agents
Pseudophilothrips ichini *(Thy: Phlaeothripidae)
Heteroperreyia hubrichi(Hym: Pergidae)
* Recommended for Release, May 2007
Objective
• Continue Surveys in Native Range of
Brazilian Peppertree (Argentina, Brazil
and Paraguay) to Discover Promising
New Natural Enemies
• Investigate Biology and Host Range of
These Natural Enemies
Survey Trips to ParaguayMarch 2005
• GOAL- Establish CooperativeAgreements withLocal Scientists
Natural History Museum Asuncion, Paraguay
Survey Trips to ParaguayMarch- April 2006
Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Faust) (Col: Curculionidae)
.
A. pipitzi Host Preferences
sect.
Pseudoduvaua
Lithrea
molle
terebinthifolius
fasciculatus
polygamus
latifolius
velutinus
kauselii
montanus
patagonicus
Schinus
sgen. Euschinus
sgen.
Duvaua
sect. Euduvaua
Tainarys, irregularly deformed leaf
C. hermicitae group, pit gall
C. rubra group, pit gall
C. rubra group, closed gall
Burckhardt (2004)
Apocnemidophorus weevils restricted to Schinus and Lithrea
(Note: Genus Lithrea not represented in US)
Outline
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Questions and Comments
TD
FBCL Containment FacilityMarch- April 2006
Weevil Exit Hole & Larval Tunnels
Wood (non-living)
Bark (non-living)Cambium (living)
Larval Feeding Tunnels
Colony Rearing
3 to 8 cm
Host Range Testing
Host Range Testing
Outline
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Questions and Comments
TD
Weevil Colony Production
*
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7
No
. A
du
lts
Generation
0
50
100
150
200
250
Jul '07 Aug '07 Sep '07 Oct '07 Nov '07 Dec '07 Jan '08 Feb '08 Mar '08 Apr '08 May '08 Jun '08
No
. A
du
lts
Months
3- 4 months
Life Cycle of A. pipitzi
Adult Emergence
*y = 0.249x + 0.3319
r2 = 0.9559
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Log
Ad
ult
Em
erg
en
ce H
ole
s
Stem Diameter (cm)
0
10
20
30
40
50
0.25 0.35 0.45 0.55 0.65 0.75 0.85 0.95 1.05 1.15 1.25
Fre
qu
en
cy
Head Capsule Width (mm)
I
II
III
IV
V
Larval Instars
Adult Feeding PreferenceNo-Choice Test
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Le
af
Co
ns
um
pti
on
(c
m2)
Test Plant
Larval DevelopmentMultiple-Choice Tests
*Schinus terebinthifolius
Schinus polygamus
Conclusions
• Weevil A. pipitzi First Stem Borer of BP
Successfully Reared in Quarantine
• Field Surveys and Laboratory Studies on
Biology and Host Range Suggest it is
Schinus Specialist
• Petition for Field Release in Florida is in
Preparation
Brazilian Peppertree Management Plan
http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/schinus.pdf
• Revised Management
Plan Completed– April 2006
• 2nd Edition Available– In Print and On-Line:
Thank You
Go Gators!!
Outline
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Questions and Comments
TD
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