Abstract

Few data exist on the environmental risks of biological control. The weevil Rhinocyllus conicus Froeh., introduced to control exotic thistles, has exhibited an increase in host range as well as continuing geographic expansion. Between 1992 and 1996, the frequency of weevil damage to native thistles consistently increased, reaching 16 to 77 percent of flowerheads per plant. Weevils significantly reduced the seed production of native thistle flowerheads. The density of native tephritid flies was significantly lower at high weevil density. Such ecological effects need to be better addressed in future evaluation and regulation of potential biological control agents.

Keywords

WeevilThistleBiological pest controlBiologyInsectInvasive speciesEcologyAgronomy

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Publication Info

Year
1997
Type
article
Volume
277
Issue
5329
Pages
1088-1090
Citations
530
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Svaťa M. Louda, David Kendall, James L. Connor et al. (1997). Ecological Effects of an Insect Introduced for the Biological Control of Weeds. Science , 277 (5329) , 1088-1090. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5329.1088

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DOI
10.1126/science.277.5329.1088

Data Quality

Data completeness: 77%