Eurasian Watermilfoil

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Eurasian Watermilfoil 6 EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL R. L. Johnson1 and B. Blossey2 1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA 2 Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA PEST STATUS OF WEED Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L., (Fig. 1) is a submersed aquatic plant that has become a major aquatic nuisance throughout much of North America. Plants are rooted at the lake bottom and grow rapidly creating dense canopies (Aiken et al., 1979). Eurasian watermilfoil is able to form dense beds (Fig. 2) with stem densities exceeding 300/m2 in shallow water (Aiken et al., 1979). Plants typically grow in water depths of 1 to 4 m, but have been found growing in water as deep as 10 m (Aiken et al., 1979). Conventional control efforts have been unsuccessful in providing more than short-term relief. Herbicide applications may suppress regrowth from as little as six weeks or up to one year (Aiken et al., 1979), but have considerable non-target effects (e.g., fish kills, increased algal growth, water supply contamination, Figure 1. Eurasian watermilfoil plant. Cornell University Research Ponds, Ithaca, New native macrophyte die-off). Mechanical harvesters, York, July 1997. (Photo courtesy of Robert L. rototillers, cultivators, barriers, dredges and other Johnson, Department of Ecology and physical control techniques have resulted in short Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, term, often localized reductions of M. spicatum popu- Ithaca, New York) lations, but these methods are disruptive, costly, and labor intensive. For continued effect, they need to be maintained long term (Boylen et al., 1996). Nature of Damage Economic damage. High densities of Eurasian watermilfoil negatively affect wildlife and fish popu- lations and make recreational use difficult or impos- sible. Direct financial damages to recreation (boat- ing, swimming, fishing) have not been assessed. Eur- asian watermilfoil continues to be the most impor- tant waterweed in the continental United States with millions of dollars spent nationwide for control ef- Fig. 2. Dense Myriophyllum spicatum canopy at forts (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assess- lake surface. Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, New ment, 1993). In New York state alone, annual costs York, August 1989. (Photo courtesy of are estimated at $500,000. Robert L. Johnson) 79 Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States Ecological damage. With the expansion of Eur- asian watermilfoil, species diversity and abundance BACKGROUND INFORMATION of native macrophytes declines (Smith and Barko, ON PEST PLANT 1990; Madsen et al., 1991). Although in small tank Taxonomy experiments the native northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum Kom.) appears competi- Eurasian watermilfoil belongs to the watermilfoil tively superior, in the field, however, M. spicatum has family, Haloragaceae, which has two genera in the replaced M. sibiricum over much of the temperate eastern United States, Myriophyllum L. (10 species, range of this species in North America (Valley and the watermilfoils) and Proserpinaca L. (two species, Newman, 1998). Suppression of native macrophytes the mermaid-weeds) (Gleason and Cronquist, 1991). is enhanced through the formation of a Eurasian All species are hydrophytes with many finely divided watermilfoil canopy at the water surface, reducing leaves. All Haloragaceae species are herbs submersed light penetration. This canopy often forms early in in quiet waters or rooted on muddy shores. The simi- the season before native macrophytes reach their larity of the species has led to much confusion about maximum growth potential. Eurasian watermilfoil species identity, and most species in the family can- beds contain significantly fewer macroinvertebrates not be separated using only individual specimens or than native macrophyte communities (including ones without flowers. The date of introduction of M. benthic invertebrates) and have a reduced abundance spicatum to North America is debated and some au- of native fish species (Keast, 1984). Fish spawning thorities consider reports before 1940 as taxonomic areas and fish growth are reduced in lakes with large misidentifications of M. sibiricum (= M. exalbescens infestations of Eurasian watermilfoil. During certain Fern.) (Johnson et al., 1998). Myriophyllum spicatum times in winter, waterfowl forage extensively in mil- is variable in appearance with long stems, and usu- foil beds in Alabama (McKnight and Hepp, 1998; ally 12 to 21 leaflet pairs, which are limp when out of Benedict and Hepp, 2000), although the same spe- the water. In contrast, the very similar M. sibiricum cies largely avoid Eurasian watermilfoil in the Great usually has five to 10 leaflet pairs with leaflets that Lakes (Knapton and Pauls, 1994). stay rigid when out of the water. Leaf morphology Extent of losses. Direct losses are difficult to may be used to separate these two very similar spe- quantify due to lack of data from long-term moni- cies successfully (Gerber and Les, 1994). Plants of- toring programs. ten branch at the water surface (or in response to her- bivore damage to apical meristems) and flowers are Geographical Distribution arranged on emersed spikes (associated with a dra- From the initial points of introduction in the North- matic shift in plant morphology). The flower spike east, M. spicatum has spread to 44 states and at least bears whorls of female flowers basally and whorls of three Canadian provinces (Creed, 1998) and is now male flowers apically. Each female flower produces considered a major nuisance species throughout the four small nutlike fruits (2 to 3 mm). Northeast, northern Midwest and Pacific Northwest Biology of the United States (Couch and Nelson, 1985, White et al., 1993). The mode of dispersal is not completely Eurasian watermilfoil occurs in ponds, lakes, and understood, but M. spicatum can be spread short dis- pools that vary from rather deep to very shallow tances as fragments tangled on boats and trailers (from more than 100 m to a few cm), and may be (Nichols and Shaw, 1986). Also, human activities, stagnant or slowly moving fresh to slightly brackish such as motor boating and mechanical weed harvest- water (Spencer and Lekic, 1974). Plants overwinter ing, produce and distribute stem fragments allowing rooted in the sediment and grow rapidly once favor- increased propagation (Nichols and Shaw, 1986). able temperatures are reached. Flowering can occur Long distance dispersal has been linked to the in early summer and can continue for several months aquarium and aquatic nursery trade (Reed, 1977), and (Spencer and Lekic, 1974). Eurasian watermilfoil re- the species continues to expand its range in North produces by seed, but fragmentation is the most likely America. mode of spread in the northern parts of the range in 80 Eurasian Watermilfoil North America. Sexual reproduction appears unim- species in these chapters). The closest relative to M. portant in shaping population structure of Eurasian spicatum is northern milfoil M. sibiricum and the watermilfoil in Minnesota (Furnier and Mustaphi, ranges of these species overlap widely in the temper- 1992); however, significant germination is observed ate regions of North America. in Lake George in New York State (Hartleb et al., 1993). Seeds require high temperatures (above 14°C) for germination. Light is not considered a limiting HISTORY OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL factor, but increased sedimentation can greatly sup- EFFORTS IN THE EASTERN press germination (Hartleb et al., 1993). Under unfa- UNITED STATES vorable conditions or when plants are attacked by herbivores, plants may not reach the water surface For almost 30 years, overseas and domestic research and do not flower. Fragmentation still allows popu- has evaluated potential agents (insects and pathogens) lations to expand and colonize adjacent areas or reach for the biological control of Eurasian watermilfoil more distant areas through the aquarium trade, trans- (Buckingham et al., 1981; Creed et al., 1992; Creed port in currents, or through recreational activities. and Sheldon, 1993, 1995; Shearer, 1994; Sheldon and Creed 1995; Cofrancesco, 1998; Creed, 1998; Analysis of Related Native Plants in the Eastern Johnson, et al., 1998; Mazzei et al., 1999; Gross et al., United States 2001). Several species of insects have been identified The genus Myriophyllum belongs to the taxonomi- feeding on and damaging Eurasian watermilfoil in cally isolated watermilfoil family, Haloragaceae, in North America (Batra, 1977; Buckingham and the order Haloragales. The genus Myriophyllum is Bennett, 1981; MacRae et al., 1990; Creed and representative of this order; more distantly related Sheldon, 1993). Some of these species appear to be species occur in the southern hemisphere. There has native to North America and to have switched from been much confusion about taxonomic status and their original hosts; others may have been acciden- identity of Myriophyllum species. Muenscher (1944) tally introduced from Europe along with M. spicatum lists approximately 20 species of Myriophyllum in (Buckingham et al., 1981). Since 1963, the grass carp, North America; Gleason and Cronquist (1991) list Ctenopharyngodon idella (Cuvier and Valenciennes), 10 species in the eastern United States. Three of the has been released to suppress Eurasian watermilfoil 10 Myriophyllum species mentioned by Gleason and and other nuisance aquatic plants in numerous sites Cronquist (1991) are species introduced to North within
Recommended publications
  • Aquatic Plants of Saratoga Lake
    Saratoga Lake Aquatic Plant Survey – 2009 Prepared By Lawrence Eichler Research Scientist and Charles Boylen Associate Director Darrin Fresh Water Institute 5060 Lakeshore Drive Bolton Landing, NY 12814 (518) 644-3541 (voice) (518) 644-3640 (fax) [email protected] December 1, 2009 DFWI Technical Report 2009-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Background . 1 Introduction . 1 Survey Site . 1 Methods . 3 Species List and Herbarium Specimens . 3 Point Intercept Survey . 3 Results and Discussion Saratoga Lake Survey Results . 5 Maximum Depth of Colonization . 6 Species Richness and Distribution . 7 Summary . 14 References . 19 Acknowledgements . 20 Appendix A. Saratoga Lake aquatic plant distribution maps . A-1 List of Tables Page Table 1 Aquatic plant species present in Saratoga Lake in 2009 ….………... 5 Table 2 Saratoga Lake point intercept percent frequency of occurrence …… 8 Table 3 Saratoga Lake point intercept percent frequency of occurrence in 2009 9 Table 4 Species richness for the point intercept surveys …………………… 13 List of Figures Page Figure 1 Distribution of point intercept survey points for Saratoga Lake ..…… 4 Figure 2 Depth distribution of Saratoga Lake sampling points ..……………… 7 Figure 3 Distribution of Eurasian watermilfoil in Saratoga Lake in 2009 10 Figure 4 Frequency of occurrence summaries for sampling points of all water depth 11 Figure 5 Frequency of occurrence summaries for sampling points of <6m water depth ………………………………………………………………….. 12 Figure 6 Species richness for native species in the point intercept survey ……. 13 Figure 7 A comparison of the distribution of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) growth in Saratoga Lake in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009…. 16 iii Report on Aquatic Vegetation of Saratoga Lake, New York Background Quantitative aquatic plant surveys were undertaken in 2009 for Saratoga Lake, New York as part of a cooperative effort between Aquatic Control Technologies (ACT) and the Darrin Fresh Water Institute, and supported by the Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID).
    [Show full text]
  • Chemical Profile of the North American Native Myriophyllum
    Chemical profile of the North American native Myriophyllum sibiricum compared to the invasive M. spicatum Michelle D. Marko a,b,*, Elisabeth M. Gross c, Raymond M. Newman a, Florence K. Gleason b a University of Minnesota, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA b University of Minnesota, Department of Plant Biology, 1445 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA c Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, PO Box M659, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Received 7 September 2006; received in revised form 10 August 2007; accepted 27 August 2007 Available online 2 September 2007 Abstract Myriophyllum spicatum L. is a nonindigenous invasive plant in North America that can displace the closely related native Myriophyllum sibiricum Komarov. We analyzed the chemical composition (including: C, N, P, polyphenols, lignin, nonpolar extractables, and sugars) of M. spicatum and M. sibiricum and determined how the chemistry of the two species varied by plant part with growing environment (lake versus tank), irradiance (full sun versus 50% shading), and season (July through September). M. spicatum had higher concentrations of carbon, polyphenols and lignin (C: 47%; polyphenols: 5.5%; lignin: 18%) than M. sibiricum (C: 42%; polyphenols: 3.7%; lignin: 9%) while M. sibiricum had a higher concentration of ash under all conditions (12% versus 8% for M. spicatum). Apical meristems of both species had the highest concentration of carbon, polyphenols, and tellimagrandin II, followed by leaves and stems. Tellimagrandin II was present in apical meristems of both M. spicatum (24.6 mg gÀ1 dm) and M. sibiricum (11.1 mg gÀ1 dm).
    [Show full text]
  • (Potamogeton Crispus) in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California
    J. Aquat. Plant Manage. 59: 1–6 Molecular confirmation of hybridization with invasive curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California AJAY R. JONES AND RYAN A. THUM* ABSTRACT populations of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is influenced by DNA substitutions in the phytoene desaturase gene (Michel Weed managers recognize that hybridization can influ- et al. 2004), which can be detected by genetic screening ence invasiveness in target weeds. As such, the identification (Benoit and Les 2013). Similarly, different genotypes of of hybridization in target weeds has become of fundamental Eurasian (Myriophyllum spicatum) and hybrid watermilfoil (M. interest. Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)isa spicatum 3 M. sibiricum) vary in their growth and response to heavily managed invasive aquatic weed in the United States. several herbicides (e.g., Glomski and Netherland 2009, The genus is known for extensive interspecific hybridiza- Berger et al. 2012, Thum et al, 2012, LaRue et al. 2013, tion, but the extent to which invasive P. crispus in the United Taylor et al. 2017, Netherland and Willey 2018), and distinct States hybridizes is unknown. In October 2018, an aquatic phenotypes of fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) differ in their vegetation survey in the California Sacramento–San Joaquin response to several herbicides (Bultemeier et al. 2009). river delta identified plants that were suspected as P. crispus Hybridization between invasive species and their native hybrids. These plants closely resembled P. crispus but relatives is one source of genetic variation that can differed in several ways, including having smaller, finer influence invasiveness (Ellstrand and Schierenbeck 2000). leaves and lacking the presence of true turions.
    [Show full text]
  • Fecundity of a Native Herbivore on Its Native and Exotic Host Plants and Relationship to Plant Chemistry
    Aquatic Invasions (2017) Volume 12, Issue 3: 355–369 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2017.12.3.09 Open Access © 2017 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2017 REABIC Special Issue: Invasive Species in Inland Waters Research Article Fecundity of a native herbivore on its native and exotic host plants and relationship to plant chemistry Michelle D. Marko1,2,* and Raymond M. Newman1 1Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA 2Biology Department, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN 56562, USA *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 2 November 2016 / Accepted: 28 August 2017 / Published online: 20 September 2017 Handling editor: Liesbeth Bakker Editor’s note: This study was first presented at the special session on aquatic invasive species at the 33rd Congress of the International Society of Limnology (SIL) (31 July – 5 August 2016, Torino, Italy) (http://limnology.org/meetings/past-sil-congress/). This special session has provided a venue for the exchange of information on ecological impacts of non-native species in inland waters. Abstract The host range expansion of the specialist milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei, from the native Myriophyllum sibiricum (northern watermilfoil) to invasive M. spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) is one of the few examples of a native insect herbivore preferring, growing and surviving better on a nonindigenous host plant than it does on its native host plant. The milfoil weevil’s preference for the nonindigenous plant can be induced during juvenile development or through exposure to Eurasian watermilfoil as an adult. We evaluated how the fecundity of the milfoil weevil was affected over time by juvenile and adult exposure to the native, invasive and invasive × native hybrid milfoils and whether fecundity was correlated with host plant quality.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Potential for Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil by the Milfoil Weevil in Christina Lake, British Columbia
    University of Lethbridge Research Repository OPUS https://opus.uleth.ca Theses Arts and Science, Faculty of Frew, Cara Patricia 2016 Exploring the potential for control of Eurasian watermilfoil by the milfoil weevil in Christina Lake, British Columbia Department of Geography https://hdl.handle.net/10133/4773 Downloaded from OPUS, University of Lethbridge Research Repository EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTROL OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL BY THE MILFOIL WEEVIL IN CHRISTINA LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA CARA FREW Bachelor of Science, University of Lethbridge, 2003 A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Geography University of Lethbridge LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA © Cara Frew, 2016 EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTROL OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL BY THE MILFOIL WEEVIL IN CHRISTINA LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA CARA FREW Date of Defence: October 12, 2016 Dr. Dan Johnson Professor Ph.D. Supervisor Dr. Craig Coburn Associate Professor Ph.D. Thesis Examination Committee Member Dr. Joseph Rasmussen Professor Ph.D. Thesis Examination Committee Member Dr. Stefan Kienzle Professor Ph.D. Chair, Thesis Examination Committee ABSTRACT Aquatic invasive plants present a growing risk to the environment and the economy. One of the most problematic invasive plants found in North American waterbodies is Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum. Eurasian watermilfoil was inadvertently introduced into Christina Lake, British Columbia, Canada, in the early 1980’s. Physical control methods have been utilized since the plant was first identified in the Lake, but regular intensive management is required to meet control objectives. Variable success has been reported in Ontario lakes and waterbodies in the United States using the milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei as a biological control agent.
    [Show full text]
  • Whorled Water-Milfoil, Myriophyllum Verticillatum
    Natural Heritage Whorled Water-milfoil & Endangered Species Myriophyllum verticillatum L. Program www.mass.gov/nhesp State Status: Endangered Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: The Whorled Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) is an aquatic herb of the Haloragaceae family. The plant grows submersed in water, except for the terminal inflorescence, which emerges above the surface. Small, sessile flowers are oppositely arranged along the uppermost portion of the spike. The stems are elongate and narrow, often branched, and bear whorled leaves that are pinnately dissected into fine segments. AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION: Distinguishing the various species of water-milfoils is difficult, especially in the vegetative condition, and a technical manual and an expert should always be consulted. This is one of a few water-milfoils that produce turions, which are small, bulb-like propagules that allow the plant to spread vegetatively. In this species, the turions are club-shaped (wider at the tips than at the base). Another diagnostic character is the presence of consistently deeply lobed floral bracts that greatly exceed (are more than twice as long as) the length of the female flowers. The combination of these characters, plus the presence of whorled leaves, serves to distinguish this species from the other water-milfoils in Massachusetts. Crow, Garrett, and C. Barre Hellquist. 2000. Aquatic and Wetland Plants. Volume 1. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin. SIMILAR SPECIES: Common water-milfoils could easily be confused with the Whorled Water-milfoil. For example, the native Lowly Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum humile) differs in having leaves that are strictly alternate, rather than whorled as in the Whorled Water-milfoil.
    [Show full text]
  • Eurasian Watermilfoil Myriophyllum Spicatum L. Water-Milfoil Family (Haloragaceae)
    FACT SHEET: EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL Eurasian Watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum L. Water-milfoil family (Haloragaceae) NATIVE RANGE Eurasia and Africa DESCRIPTION Eurasian watermilfoil, also called spike watermilfoil, is an emergent, herbaceous aquatic plant. Stems grow to the water surface, usually extending 3 to 10, but as much as 33, feet in length and frequently forming dense mats. Stems of Eurasian milfoil are long, slender, branching, hairless, and become leafless toward the base. New plants may emerge from each node (joint) on a stem, and root upon contact with mud. The grayish-green leaves of Eurasian watermilfoil are finely divided and occur in whorls of three or four along the stem, with 12-16 pairs of fine, thin leaflets about 1/2 inch long. These leaflets give milfoil a feathery appearance that is a distinguishing feature of the plant. Eurasian watermilfoil produces small yellow, 4-parted flowers on a spike that projects 2- 4 inches above the water surface. The fruit is a hard, segmented capsule containing four seeds. ECOLOGICAL THREAT Eurasian milfoil can form large, floating mats of vegetation on the surface of lakes, rivers, and other water bodies, preventing light penetration for native aquatic plants and impeding water traffic. The plant thrives in areas that have been subjected to various kinds of natural and manmade disturbance. DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES Watermilfoil occurs in thirty-three states east of the Mississippi River and has recently been found in Colorado. It is abundant in the Chesapeake Bay, the tidal Potomac River, and several Tennessee Valley reservoirs. HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES Typical habitat for Eurasian watermilfoil includes fresh to brackish water of fish ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, reservoirs, estuaries, and canals.
    [Show full text]
  • Download This Article in PDF Format
    Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst. 2018, 419, 42 Knowledge & © K. Pabis, Published by EDP Sciences 2018 Management of Aquatic https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2018030 Ecosystems www.kmae-journal.org Journal fully supported by Onema REVIEW PAPER What is a moth doing under water? Ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic Lepidoptera Krzysztof Pabis* Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland Abstract – This paper reviews the current knowledge on the ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic moths, and discusses possible pre-adaptations of the moths to the aquatic environment. It also highlights major gaps in our understanding of this group of aquatic insects. Aquatic and semi-aquatic moths represent only a tiny fraction of the total lepidopteran diversity. Only about 0.5% of 165,000 known lepidopterans are aquatic; mostly in the preimaginal stages. Truly aquatic species can be found only among the Crambidae, Cosmopterigidae and Erebidae, while semi-aquatic forms associated with amphibious or marsh plants are known in thirteen other families. These lepidopterans have developed various strategies and adaptations that have allowed them to stay under water or in close proximity to water. Problems of respiratory adaptations, locomotor abilities, influence of predators and parasitoids, as well as feeding preferences are discussed. Nevertheless, the poor knowledge on their biology, life cycles, genomics and phylogenetic relationships preclude the generation of fully comprehensive evolutionary scenarios. Keywords: Lepidoptera / Acentropinae / caterpillars / freshwater / herbivory Résumé – Que fait une mite sous l'eau? Écologie des lépidoptères aquatiques et semi-aquatiques. Cet article passe en revue les connaissances actuelles sur l'écologie des mites aquatiques et semi-aquatiques, et discute des pré-adaptations possibles des mites au milieu aquatique.
    [Show full text]
  • New Records for Euhrychiopsis Lecontei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Densities in Wisconsin Lakes
    The Great Lakes Entomologist Volume 30 Number 4 - Winter 1997 Number 4 - Winter Article 4 1997 December 1997 New Records for Euhrychiopsis Lecontei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Densities in Wisconsin Lakes Laura L. Jester University of Wisconsin Michael A. Bozek University of Wisconsin Sallie P. Sheldon Kent State University Daniel R. Helsel Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle Part of the Entomology Commons Recommended Citation Jester, Laura L.; Bozek, Michael A.; Sheldon, Sallie P.; and Helsel, Daniel R. 1997. "New Records for Euhrychiopsis Lecontei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Densities in Wisconsin Lakes," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 30 (3) Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol30/iss3/4 This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at [email protected]. Jester et al.: New Records for <i>Euhrychiopsis Lecontei</i> (Coleoptera: Curcul 1997 THE GREAT lAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 169 NEW RECORDS FOR EUHRYCHIOPSIS LECONTEI (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAEj AND THEIR DENSITIES IN WISCONSIN LAKES Laura L. Jester 1, Michael A. Bozek 1, Sallie P. Sheldon2 and Daniel R. Helsei3 ABSTRACT The native aquatic weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei is currently being re­ searched as a potential biological control for the exotic aquatic macrophyte Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), yet little is known about its specific distribution in North America. In this study, E. lecontei was collected in 25 of 27 lakes surveyed for the weevil in Wisconsin, greatly increasing the known distribution of the species in this state.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Dimorphism and Light/Dark Adaptation in the Compound Eyes of Male and Female Acentria Ephemerella (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae)
    Eur. J. Entomol. 104: 459–470, 2007 http://www.eje.cz/scripts/viewabstract.php?abstract=1255 ISSN 1210-5759 Sexual dimorphism and light/dark adaptation in the compound eyes of male and female Acentria ephemerella (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae) TING FAN (STANLEY) LAU1, ELISABETH MARIA GROSS2 and VICTOR BENNO MEYER-ROCHOW1,3 1Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen, P.O.Box 750561, D-28725 Bremen, Germany 2Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, P.O. Box M659, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany 3Department of Biology (Zoological Museum), University of Oulu, P.O.Box 3000, SF-90014 Oulu, Finland; e-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Key words. Pyraloidea, Crambidae, compound eye, photoreception, vision, retina, sexual dimorphism, polarization sensitivity, dark/light adaptation, photoreceptor evolution Abstract. In the highly sexual-dimorphic nocturnal moth, Acentria ephemerella Denis & Schiffermüller 1775, the aquatic and win- gless female possesses a refracting superposition eye, whose gross structural organization agrees with that of the fully-winged male. The possession of an extensive corneal nipple array, a wide clear-zone in combination with a voluminous rhabdom and a reflecting tracheal sheath are proof that the eyes of both sexes are adapted to function in a dimly lit environment. However, the ommatidium of the male eye has statistically significantly longer dioptric structures (i.e., crystalline cones) and light-perceiving elements (i.e., rhab- doms), as well as a much wider clear-zone than the female. Photomechanical changes upon light/dark adaptation in both male and female eyes result in screening pigment translocations that reduce or dilate ommatidial apertures, but because of the larger number of smaller facets of the male eye in combination with the structural differences of dioptric apparatus and retina (see above) the male eye would enjoy superior absolute visual sensitivity under dim conditions and a greater resolving power and ability to detect movement during the day.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team Biological Control of Invasive
    Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Biological Control Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States Roy Van Driesche Bernd Blossey Mark Hoddle Suzanne Lyon Richard Reardon Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team—Morgantown, West Virginia United States Forest FHTET-2002-04 Department of Service August 2002 Agriculture BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES Technical Coordinators Roy Van Driesche and Suzanne Lyon Department of Entomology, University of Massachusets, Amherst, MA Bernd Blossey Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Mark Hoddle Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA Richard Reardon Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, USDA, Forest Service, Morgantown, WV USDA Forest Service Publication FHTET-2002-04 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank the authors of the individual chap- We would also like to thank the U.S. Depart- ters for their expertise in reviewing and summariz- ment of Agriculture–Forest Service, Forest Health ing the literature and providing current information Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West on biological control of the major invasive plants in Virginia, for providing funding for the preparation the Eastern United States. and printing of this publication. G. Keith Douce, David Moorhead, and Charles Additional copies of this publication can be or- Bargeron of the Bugwood Network, University of dered from the Bulletin Distribution Center, Uni- Georgia (Tifton, Ga.), managed and digitized the pho- versity of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, (413) tographs and illustrations used in this publication and 545-2717; or Mark Hoddle, Department of Entomol- produced the CD-ROM accompanying this book.
    [Show full text]
  • Visual Active Space of the Milfoil Weevil, Euhrychiopsis Lecontei Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
    J Insect Behav (2011) 24:264–273 DOI 10.1007/s10905-010-9252-6 Visual Active Space of the Milfoil Weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Justin L. Reeves & Patrick D. Lorch Revised: 22 November 2010 /Accepted: 13 December 2010 / Published online: 8 January 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract Euhrychiopsis lecontei Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a native weevil, is used as a biological control agent for the invasive aquatic macrophyte, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.). Because E. lecontei over- winters on land in the adult stage and must find plants in lakes each spring, plant finding behaviors are essential to eventually understanding and predicting long term biological control. Our research showed that E. lecontei is visually attracted to M. spicatum at up to 17.5 cm, and is more attracted to plants than other visual stimuli within 15 cm. We also showed that turbidity may affect visual plant finding at 15 cm. Using available data from this and other previous studies involving chemical cues and other life history traits, we propose a testable conceptual model for how E. lecontei finds plants each year, especially while underwater. This model may also be used to explain plant finding by aquatic phytophagous insects in general. Keywords Biological control . aquatic . host location . vision . behavior . insect Introduction The native, aquatic milfoil weevil (Euhrychiopsis lecontei Dietz; Coleoptera: Curculionidae; body length ∼2 mm), is a promising biological control agent for the highly invasive macrophyte, Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.; Sheldon and Creed 1995; Newman 2004). Since the introduction of M. spicatum to the U.S.
    [Show full text]