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(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a Promising Biological Control Candidate Against Parkinsonia Aculeata (Fabaceae) Revista De La Sociedad Entomológica Argentina, Vol

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(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a Promising Biological Control Candidate Against Parkinsonia Aculeata (Fabaceae) Revista De La Sociedad Entomológica Argentina, Vol Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina ISSN: 0373-5680 [email protected] Sociedad Entomológica Argentina Argentina Mc KAY, Fernando; SOSA, Alejandro J.; HEARD, Tim A. Bionomics of Neolasioptera aculeatae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a promising biological control candidate against Parkinsonia aculeata (Fabaceae) Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina, vol. 73, núm. 1-2, junio, 2014, pp. 19-25 Sociedad Entomológica Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=322031114002 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Trabajo Científico Article ISSN 0373-5680 (impresa), ISSN 1851-7471 (en línea) Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina 73 (1-2): 19-25, 2014 Bionomics of Neolasioptera aculeatae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a promising biological control candidate against Parkinsonia aculeata (Fabaceae) Mc KAY, Fernando1, Alejandro J. SOSA1 & Tim A. HEARD2 1Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas, Bolívar 1559, (B1686EFA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected] 2CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, EcoSciences Precinct, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane 4001, Australia. Bionomía de Neolasioptera aculeatae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), un agente pro- misorio para el control biológico de Parkinsonia aculeata (Fabaceae) RESUMEN. Inspecciones de campo realizadas sobre Parkinsonia aculeata L. en el Norte-centro de Argentina entre 2008 y 2011 revelaron la presencia del mosquito agallícola Neolasioptera aculeatae Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). La presencia de las agallas de N. aculeatae está restringida a la distribución norte de P. aculea- ta. La disección de agallas recolectadas a lo largo del año, reveló la presencia de larvas y/o pupas en distintos estados fenológicos de P. aculeata. La emergencia de adultos de N. aculeatae tuvo lugar 13 a 34 días desde la recolección en el campo y se extendió por un período promedio de 22 días. Entre once especies de legumino- sas inspeccionadas en el campo, adultos de N. aculeatae emergieron únicamente de agallas recolectadas sobre P. aculeata. Los atributos biológicos y el restringido conjunto de plantas hospederas utilizadas en el campo, hacen de N. aculeatae un agente promisorio para el control biológico de P. aculeata. PALABRAS CLAVE. Inspecciones de campo. Enemigos naturales. Control biológi- co de malezas. Parkinsonia. Cina-cina. ABSTRACT. Field surveys conducted in North-central Argentina on Parkinsonia acu- leata L. between 2008 and 2011 revealed the presence of the stem-galling midge Neo- lasioptera aculeatae Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Bionomical and field host range studies were conducted to determine the insect’s suitability for biological control of P. aculeata. Presence of N. aculeatae galls was restricted to the northern distribution of P. aculeata. Larvae and/or pupae were found by dissecting galls collected throughout the year on P. aculeata plants at different phenological stages. Emergence of N. acu- leatae adults occurred 13 to 34 days from field collection and over an average period of 22 days. Field host range surveys indicated that of the 11 legume species sampled, N. aculeatae adults only emerged from galls collected on P. aculeata. The biological attributes of N. aculeatae and its restricted field host range suggests that it will be a promising biological control agent for P. aculeata. KEY WORDS. Field host range. Natural enemies. Weed biological control. Parkin- sonia. Cina-cina. INTRODUCTION North, Central and South America (Hawkins et al., 2007). This species has a pan-tropical dis- Parkinsonia aculeata L. (“cina-cina”) (Legu- tribution following introduction as an ornamental, minosae: Caesalpinoideae) is a thorny legumi- hedging, fodder and shade tree (Stewart et al., nous shrub native to the hot and dry regions of 1992; Wagner et al., 1999; PIER, 1999; Hawkins, Recibido: 28-VIII-2013; aceptado: 04-XII-2013 19 Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina 73 (1-2): 19-25, 2014 2001). In Australia, P. aculeata is recognized as biological control agent against P. aculeata. one of the 20 worst weeds (Thorp & Lynch, 2000) and considered a weed of national significance MATERIAL AND METHODS due to its impacts on the environment and ag- ricultural production (Heard & Bell, 2009). The The distribution of N. aculeatae was deter- detrimental effects include its propensity to form mined through extensive exploratory trips made dense, thorny, impenetrable thickets along drain- along the main roads of North-central Argentina, age lines, depressions, ephemeral wetlands between 2008 and 2011 (Fig. 1). In total, 20 sur- and, to a lesser extent, uplands (van Klinken et veys were conducted with 29 sites inspected, al., 2009). some of which were visited up to four times a Control techniques available to manage P. year to account for seasonal variations. Surveys aculeata include the use of herbicides, machi- generally lasted seven days, and included two nery, fire, grazing, and classical biological con- to three collectors. Time spent on-site rarely ex- trol (Deveze, 2004; van Klinken et al., 2009). ceeded two hours. P. aculeata plants occurring Biological control efforts began in the 1980s mainly along the roadsides, rangelands and and resulted in the release of three insect spe- river beds were visually inspected for the pre- cies: Rhinacloa callicrates Herring (Miridae: sence of galls. Seasonal occurrence and field Hemiptera) (a sap-sucking mirid), Mimosestes host range surveys were conducted at several ulkei (Horn) (Bruchidae: Coleoptera) from sites along a longitudinal range of c. 500 km in North America and Penthobruchus germaini northern Argentina (Chaco, Formosa and Salta (Pic) (Bruchidae: Coleoptera) (seed-feeding provinces) (Fig. 1). The area has a tropical sum- bruchids) from Argentina (Julien & Griffiths, mer rainfall climate (world climate zone 2, as 1998; Flanagan et al., 1996; Donnelly, 2000; described by Walter et al., 1975) with a mean Briano et al., 2002; van Klinken et al., 2008). annual temperature of 22 °C and annual rainfalls Existing agents, do not appear to be having a (500-1,000 mm), concentrated in the spring- significant impact, and new potential agents summer months (October-March) (Servicio Me- are unlikely to be found in the United States or teorológico Nacional, 2000). northern Mexico (van Klinken et al., 2009). Recent genetic studies indicating very old Seasonal occurrence dispersal events of P. aculeata in South America Plants of P. aculeata were sampled four times (Hawkins et al., 2007), motivated the search for between March and November 2010 (Table I). additional natural enemies in this area. Field sur- For each site, the number of surveyed plants veys conducted recently in Argentina, revealed and the number of galls were recorded. Phe- the presence of Neolasioptera aculeatae Ga- nological stage of the plants was registered as gné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a gall midge res- flowering, fruiting or vegetative. Only fresh ac- ponsible for a common and conspicuous stem tive galls with soft green tissue and developing gall that stunts the branches and often curbs insects were included in the study. Galls were further axillary growth of P. aculeata (Gagné et collected by cutting P. aculeata branches with al., 2011). It has been proposed as a biological a heavy-duty pruner, kept in plastic containers control agent against P. aculeata (van Klinken & and transported to the laboratory. A subsample Heard, 2012). of galls were dissected under a stereo micro- Neolasioptera (Alycaulini) is a species-rich scope (Olympus SZ61; maximum magnification: genus from the Americas, whose species are pri- 45X) to determine the life stage of specimens mary gall makers on a wide array of plant fami- inside the galls. The rest of the galls were kept lies and appear to be mostly host specific (Ga- in controlled environmental chambers (25 ± 2 gné, 1994, 2010). From the 65 described Neo- °C: 60-80% RH; 16:8 L:D) for subsequent emer- tropical Neolasioptera, only five species have gence of adult specimens. been recorded from Argentina, with N. aculeatae being the only one associated with P. aculeata Field host range (Gagné, 2010; Gagné et al., 2011). In this paper During the summer 2009/10 and 2010/11, we present bionomical and field host range data nine sites with populations of P. aculeata and ten on N. aculeatae, and discuss its potential as a co-occurring legume species were surveyed for 20 Mc KAY, F. et al. Bionomics of Neolasioptera aculeatae the presence of galls (Fig. 1). Plant species were galls rendered 400 adults (67 % female). A bal- selected for their phylogenetic proximity, eco- anced number of male and female adults (9-51) logical/distribution overlap and morphological were confined in 12 rearing aluminium frame similarity to P. aculeata (Table II). For each site, cages lined with gauze and measuring 250 x the number of surveyed plants and the num- 250 x 800 mm containing one P. aculeata potted ber of collected galls were recorded. Samples plant. In 2012, a third rearing attempt was con- were brought to the laboratory and kept in con- ducted using rearing cages upon a collection of trolled environmental chambers (25 ± 2 °C: 60- 300 galls that rendered 150 adults. 80% RH; 16:8 L:D) for subsequent emergence of adults. Voucher specimens of the plants and RESULTS insects collected were deposited in collections at the Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Distribution. Presence of N. aculeatae galls Invasivas (FuEDEI), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires. was restricted to the northern distribution area of P. aculeata in Argentina (Fig. 1). Stem galls Laboratory rearing were collected from sites as far north as Embar- Preliminary rearing of N. aculeatae was at- cación, Salta (S 23.16°) and south to near Fortín tempted three times. On one occasion in Sep- Lavalle, Chaco (S 26.13°). tember 2009, 10 adults were confined within a Galls. N. aculeatae stem galls were woody gauze-covered sleeve wrapped around the stem rounded/ovoid-shaped growths at the junction of a potted P.
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