Post-Hoc Evaluation of the Efficacy of Aphthona Iacertosa at Le Spurge Bi0conri:Ol Release Sites Abstract
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DENSïN AND EFFICACY OF THE FLEA BEETLE APHTHONA UCERTûSA (ROSENHAUER), AN INTRODUCED BIOCONTROL AGENT FORLEAEV SPURGE, IN ALBERTA Andrea Ruth Kalischuk B. Sc., University of Lethbridge, 1997 A Thesis Submitted to the Council on Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial FuifiUment of the Requiremeats for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE LETHBRlDGE, ALBERTA MAY 2001 "~ndreaKalischuk, 200 1 uisiaons and Acqursitians et "iBib iographic Senricas se- biWographiques The author has granteâ a non- L'auteur a accordé une Licence non exclusive licence aüowing the exclusive permettant h la National LiTbrary of Canada to BibliotheqUe nationaie du Canada de reproduce, lm, distribute or sel1 reproduire, pr8teq distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownershrp of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts hmit Ni la thèse ni des substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimes reproduced without the author's ou antrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. DEDICATION " Yow reason and your passion are the mdder and the sails ofyour seafnring soul. Ifeitheryour sails or your rudder be broken, you can but toss and drif or else be held at a standrtill in mid-seas. For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and pasion, unattended, ir a flame that burns to ifsown destruction." (Kahlil Gibran, 1923) To my mother - thanks for mendimg the hysin my rudder and sails. ABSTRACT Biocontrol has ken criticized because the target effects of biocontrol introductions have not been studied rigorously. nie objectives of this thesis were 1) to assess quantitatively the efficacy of a classical biocontrol agent derits release and 2) to suggest factors that affect the density and distribution of the biocontrol agent. In 1997, Aphthona lacertosa, a rmt-feeding flea beetle that is native to Europe, was released for the biological control of lefi spurge in Alberta. The beeties had established at more than 75% of the release sites that were monitored in 1999. In 2000, the peak abundance of A. lacertosa across release sites ranged fiom low (40 beeties m-2) to high (>70 beetles Sites with high beetle densities had a significantly greater local (ie. within 5m of release point) ceduction of le* spurge than sites with low beetle densities. The density and distribution of A, lacertosa are affected by cumulative degree-days (CDD)at the release site and plant morphology, respectively. Beetle population growth may be enhanced by releasing A. lacertosa at sites where there are more CDD. It is expected ihat high densities of A. lacertosa will effectively control leafy spurge populations. 1sincerely tbank my supeNisor, Rob Bouschier, whose support has made this praject possible; working with Rab bas been an invaluable leaming experience. 1would also like to thank my CO-supervisor, Ralph Cartar for sharing bis views ofl'îhe real world" - it's always kcinating to get a glimpse of wbat others see. My emmegratitude is also extended to Rene Barendregt, Rose DeClerck-Floate, and Mec McClay for their support and valuable advice. Financial support fiom Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Federal Student Work Employment Prognm and Matching investment Initiative was appreciated. Thanks to thewho released the beetles and collected field data in 1997; Cheryl Kasahoff, Kim Stromme and JiTansey, Alberta Agriculture Food and Rd Development under the supervision of Alec McClay, Alberta Research Council. 1 am etemally grateful to the Cowity Fieldmen who helped me find the field sites. Tbanks especially to the Landowners whose enthusiasm, encouragement, hospitality, and humor kept me going. 1also thank those that helped me the most, both in the field and in the lab: Stephanie Erb, Kevin Floate, Peter Harris, Linda Van Heek, Ian Jonsen, Byron Lee, Jeff Rau, Alissa Reynolds, Stewart Rd,Monte Thomson, and Ray Wilson. Each person was instrumental in helping me to complete my project. Finally, I thank my farnily for theu interest and support. Thanks, dad, for your help and fm building a cage to catch the Little buggers! Uncle Ron, thanks for king the one family member to rdeverything 1write - your support means a lot to me. Lisa and Melanie, thank-you for the many conversations and confimation that you are going through similar experiences in complethg your degrees. To Rocky, Kathi, Tyson, Kayla, and Wilco - thank-you for gMng me more than my world of work. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................... vü LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................... CHAPTER 1 :Introduction and cationale ..................................... .... ............ 9 CHAPTEX 2: Post-hoc evduation of Aphthona Iacertosa establishment and density at leafy spurge biocontrol release sites Abstract ............................................................................................ 17 lotroduction ........................................................................................ 17 Meth& .............................................................................................. 18 ...................................................... Results ...................................................... .. 24 Discussion ......................................................................................... 26 Literature Cited ............................................................................. 29 CHAPTER 3: Post-hoc evaluation of the efficacy of Aphthona Iacertosa at le spurge bi0conri:ol release sites Abstract .......................................................................................... 38 lotmduction ..................................................................................... 39 Methods .............................................................................................. 40 Results ..........................*..................................................................... 43 Discussion ......................................................................................... 45 Literanire Cited .................................................................................. 46 CFIAP'IER 4: Factors affecthg the density of a classical weed biocontrol agent Abct.............................................................................................. 51 Introduction ........................................................................................ 51 Me thods .............................................................................................. 55 Rdts................................................................................................ 59 Discussion .......................................................................................... 60 Liteninire Cited .................................................................................. 63 CEINTER 5: Host plant characteristics affkct beetIe distribution and feeding patterns Abstract .............................................................................................. 74 Introduction ........................................................................................ 74 Methads .............................................................................................. 77 Results ................................................................................................ 80 Discussion .......................................................................................... 80 Literahire Cited .................................................................................. 83 LIST OF TABLES Table Page Densities of Aphthona lacertara at release sites in 1999 and 2000. ..... 3 1 Location of weather stations that were wed for caiculating cumulative degree days ......................................................................... 32 Summary of split-plot ANOVA statistics for the decrease in leas. spurge covet. ............................................................................ 48 Summary of split-plot MAstatistics for the decrease in les@ spurge stem density.. ................................................................ 48 Summary of ANOVA sîatistics for beetle wing length. ....................... 66 Potentiai beetle fecundity at sites with low, moderate, and hi& beetle densities.. ...................................................................... 66 Morisita Index for aggregation of beetles and their feeding on vegetative and flowering leafy spurge shoots.. ................................ 86 Summaty of logistic regression mode! deviance on beetle presence on leafy spurge shoots.. .......................................................... 86 Summary of Quasi-likelihd regression mode1 deviance on beetle feeding on leafy spurge shoots. .................................................. 86 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Maps of beetie densities in 1999 and 2000 ........................................... Frequency distribution of beetles at release sites in 1999 and 2000 ..... Mean cumulative degree-days hm1980-1990 at Alberta weather stations A) for al1 months ancl B) for the summer months. ..,., Relationship between beale densities in 1999 and A) cumulative degree days and B)