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Argyresthia atlanticella Rebel (Insecta: Lepidoptera) an excluded agent for Myrica faya Aiton (Myricaceae) biocontrol
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Abstract(s)
Myrica faya (Myricaceae), um arbusto ou pequena árvore, considerada como um endemismo lbero-macaronésico, foi classificado como infestante no Hawaii, após a sua introdução por imigrantes portugueses. Argyresthia atlanticella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), foi encontrada associada a Myrica faya nas ilhas dos Açores na década de 1980, tendo sido considerada como um potencial agente de luta biológica contra aquela planta. Os estados larvares desenvolvem-se sobre flores masculinas e frutos de M. faya, de Abril até Agosto, tendo sido considerados como um meio de diminuir o potencial reprodutor do hospedeiro. No início da década de 1990, estudos de campo revelaram que A. atlanticella também se encontrava associada a Erica scoparia ssp. azorica e Vaccinium cylindraceum (Ericaceae). Adultos e larvas foram encontrados sobre E. scoparia ssp. azorica ao longo de todo o ano. Em testes de oviposição, A. atlanticella preferia os rebentos de E. scoparia ssp. azorica aos de M. faya. O insecto completa o seu ciclo de vida sobre E. scoparia ssp. azorica. Face a estes resultados, excluiu-se A. atlanticella como espécie a utilizar no controlo biológico de M. faya no Hawaii.
ABSTRACT: Myrica faya (Myricaceae) is a small tree, considered as an Ibero-macaronesian endemic, and classified as an aggressive weed in Hawaii, after its introduction by Portuguese immigrants. Argyresthia atlanticella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), was found associated with Myrica faya in the 1980's, in the Azores Islands, and was considered a potential biological control agent for that plant species. Larvae develop on M. faya male flowers and green fruits from April until August, and have the potential to decrease seed set. In the 1990's, field studies showed that A. atlanticella was also associated with Erica scoparia ssp. azorica and Vaccinium cylindraceum (Ericaceae). Adults and larvae were found associated with E. scoparia ssp. azorica throughout the year. In the laboratory, A. atlanticella oviposited on E. scoparia ssp. azorica shoots, and developed to fertile adults. In view of these results, this species was excluded as a candidate for the biological control of M. faya in Hawaii.
ABSTRACT: Myrica faya (Myricaceae) is a small tree, considered as an Ibero-macaronesian endemic, and classified as an aggressive weed in Hawaii, after its introduction by Portuguese immigrants. Argyresthia atlanticella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), was found associated with Myrica faya in the 1980's, in the Azores Islands, and was considered a potential biological control agent for that plant species. Larvae develop on M. faya male flowers and green fruits from April until August, and have the potential to decrease seed set. In the 1990's, field studies showed that A. atlanticella was also associated with Erica scoparia ssp. azorica and Vaccinium cylindraceum (Ericaceae). Adults and larvae were found associated with E. scoparia ssp. azorica throughout the year. In the laboratory, A. atlanticella oviposited on E. scoparia ssp. azorica shoots, and developed to fertile adults. In view of these results, this species was excluded as a candidate for the biological control of M. faya in Hawaii.
Description
Keywords
Argyresthia atlanticella Azores Archipelago Biological Control Erica scoparia ssp. azorica (Hochstetrer) Myrica faya Vaccinium cylindraceum Smith (Ericacaeae)
Citation
"ARQUIPÉLAGO. Ciências Biológicas e Marinhas = Life and Marine Sciences". ISSN 0870-6581. Nº 13A (1995): 105-113.
Publisher
Universidade dos Açores