Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/6387
Title: Biological studies of Bagous hydrillae
Authors: Buckingham, Gary R.
Balciunas, Joseph K.
Keywords: Bagous hydrillae
Biological control
Biocontrol
Hydrilla verticillata
Nuisance aquatic plants
Hydrilla
Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (U.S.)
Publisher: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station
Series/Report no.: Technical Report (Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (U.S.)) ; no.Technical Report A-94-6
Abstract: Biological studies and initial host range tests of Bagous hydrillae were conducted in Australia, and additional host range studies were conducted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Quarantine Facilities at Gainesville, Florida. Both studies confirm the impact that B. hydrillae has on Hydrilla verticillata. Bagous hydrillae attacks hydrilla stems. Adults feed externally and larvae mine internally. Damaged stems break away and float to shore where larvae mature and pupate. Heavy adult feeding produces a "mowing effect" on the hydrilla mat Extensive field sampling of aquatic plants from 1985-1988 proved that hydrilla was the primary host plant, although several additional submersed species were larval hosts during periods when hydrilla was scarce. It is doubtful if many larvae matured in these plant species, however, because little plant material was found along with hydrilla stranded on shore where the larvae pupate. It is believed that B. hydrillae has the potential to greatly increase the stress on hydrilla in southern states where hydrilla is most abundant.
Description: Technical Report
Gov't Doc #: Technical Report A-94-6
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/6387
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

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