Assessment of Paulinia acuminata [Orthoptera: Acrididae] for the biological control of Salvinia molesta in Australia

The biology and host specificity of the aquatic grasshopper, Paulinia acuminata (De Geer) were studied in quarantine in Australia. Adults and nymphs fed on the leaves of salvinia (Salvinia molesta), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and azolla (Azolla pinnata). Fifty-three plant species representing 38 families were exposed to adults and nymphs of P. acuminata. Adult feeding occurred on 17 plants but nymphs failed to feed on 9 of these species in the presence of S. molesta. In starvation trials, 14 plants (excluding S. molesta, P. stratiotes and A. pinnata) were attacked by adults, of which only 5 were attacked by nymphs. Heavy feeding occurred on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) but not oviposition occurred even when the leaves were held in contact with the water surface. The life cycle of P. acuminata was completed only on S. molesta, P. stratiotes and A. pinnata. Eggs deposited on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) failed to hatch. Laboratory evaluation was supplemented with observations on the distribution and abundance of P. acuminata on the Zambezi River system, Zimbabwe, during October 1984

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	115841 Sands, D.P.A., 82415 Kassulke, R.C.
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	1986
Subjects:	CONTROL BIOLOGICO, PAULINIA ACUMINATA, MALEZAS ACUATICAS, ORGANISMOS PARA CONTROL BIOLOGICO, CICLO VITAL, DISTRIBUCION NATURAL, SALVINIA, HOSPEDEROS, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA,
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