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(Weise) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an approved classical biological control agent that feeds on the aerial reproductive structures (i.e., bulbils) of the invasive air potato vine in Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, has mass-produced and released over 100,000 beetles since 2021. Mass rearing can be challenging for highly specialized herbivores like . Therefore, we present a detailed protocol to mass rear under laboratory settings. This protocol ensures consistent production of approximately 675 beetles per month/colony for research and field applications while maintaining efficiency and affordability. Additionally, we determined how the number of mating pairs and the condition of air potato bulbils (whole or bisected) used in the mass rearing system influenced the number of adults produced. Results showed that 17 mating pairs per bulbil (of approximately 150 g) was an optimal beetle density to maximize beetle production and maintain a healthy colony. The condition of bulbils utilized did not influence the number of adults produced. This protocol can be adopted by integrated pest management (IPM) and master gardener programs, universities, and regulatory agencies in other southeastern states currently facing air potato infestations.

The abundance and diversity of three taxa of citrus pest predators, syrphids (Diptera), coccinellids (Coleoptera), and chrysopids (Neuroptera) and their association with flowering weed species in commercial citrus orchards in southern California were investigated. The occurrence and frequency of adult predators were determined with vertical yellow sticky traps and by performing 3 min visual counts on flowering weeds from May through November 2021. Syrphid abundance peaked in June and September, with the dominant species being Allograpta obliqua (Say), Toxomerus marginatus (Say), and Paragus tibialis (Fallen). Peak collections of coccinellids occurred in May, June, and September on sticky traps and during September and October in flowering weedy plants. Peak flowering of weed species occurred during May and declined sharply over summer into fall (June–November). The efficacy of yellow 355 mL glycol pan traps, yellow 1774 mL water pan traps, and yellow sticky traps orientated either horizontally or vertically with respect to capturing key natural enemies was evaluated in 2021 and 2022. Significantly more syrphids were captured on the horizontal yellow sticky traps than on the vertical yellow sticky traps or the yellow pan traps filled with glycol or water. Coccinellids were most frequently captured on vertical yellow sticky traps and yellow water pan traps. Numbers of chrysopids captured in all studies were not significant, which was most likely attributable to their nocturnal behavior. Collectively these results suggest that syrphid and coccinellid activity in southern California citrus orchards displayed two seasonal peaks, one in spring and the other in the fall. In the context of future conservation biological control, insectary plantings in spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) would be most beneficial to these predators and would coincide with population peaks of a key citrus pest, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citriv Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Se investigó la abundancia y diversidad de tres taxones de depredadores de plagas de cítricos, sírfidos (Diptera), coccinélidos (Coleoptera) y crisópidos (Neuroptera) y su asociación con especies de malezas en flor en huertos comerciales de cítricos en el sur de California. Se determinó la aparición y frecuencia de depredadores adultos con trampas adhesivas amarillas verticales y realizando recuentos visuales de 3 minutos en malezas en flor desde mayo hasta noviembre del 2021. La abundancia de sírfidos alcanzó su punto máximo en junio y septiembre, siendo las especies dominantes Allograpta obliqua (Say), Toxomerus. marginatus (Say) y Paragus tibialis (Caído). Las recolecciones máximas de coccinélidos ocurrieron en mayo, junio y septiembre en trampas adhesivas y durante septiembre y octubre en plantas de malezas en flor. La floración máxima de las especies de malezas se produjo durante mayo y disminuyó drásticamente durante el verano hasta el otoño (junionoviembre). En 2021 y 2022 se evaluó la eficacia de las trampas amarillas de bandeja de glicol de 355 ml, las trampas amarillas de bandeja de agua de 1774 ml y las trampas adhesivas amarillas orientadas horizontal o verticalmente con respecto a la captura de enemigos naturales clave. Se capturaron significativamente más sírfidos con las trampas adhesivas amarillas horizontales que con las trampas adhesivas amarillas verticales o las trampas de bandeja amarillas llenas de glicol o agua. Los coccinélidos fueron capturados con mayor frecuencia en trampas adhesivas amarillas verticales y en trampas de agua amarillas. El número de crisópidos capturados en todos los estudios no fue significativo, lo que probablemente se debió a su comportamiento nocturno. En conjunto, estos resultados sugieren que la actividad de sírfidos y coccinélidos en los huertos de cítricos del sur de California mostró dos máximos estacionales, uno en primavera y el otro en otoño. En el contexto del futuro control biológico de conservación, las plantaciones de insectarios en primavera (abril-junio) y otoño (septiembreoctubre) serían más beneficiosas para estos depredadores y coincidirían con los maximos de población de una plaga clave de los cítricos, el psílido asiático de los cítricos, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemíptera: Liviidae).

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an invasive weed of natural and agricultural areas of California, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas, USA. A thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), was permitted and released in 2019 as the first biological control agent for this invasive weed in Florida, USA. The thrips feeds on flushing leaves that are produced during the vegetative season of the host. Together, the USDA–ARS, University of Florida, and Florida Department of Food and Consumer Services combined efforts to mass produce and release P. ichini throughout the Brazilian peppertree-invaded range in Florida. Between May 2019 and Dec 2021, more than 2 million P. ichini were released at 567 sites in Florida. Over this period, P. ichini persisted at up to 60% of the survey sites for at least 1 generation as indicated by recovery of thrips adults at least 60 d after release. These results indicate that this thrips, a classical biological control agent, has persisted in the invaded range of Brazilian peppertree in Florida with populations evident at many release sites. This biological control agent will provide land managers with a safe and cost-effective means of controlling Brazilian peppertree. El pimentero brasileño, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), es una maleza invasora de áreas naturales y agrícolas de California, Florida, Hawái y Texas, EE. UU. Un trips, Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), fue autorizado y liberado en el 2019 como el primer agente de control biológico para esta maleza invasora en Florida, EE. UU. Los trips se alimentan de las hojas enrojecidas que se producen durante la temporada vegetativa del hospedero. Juntos, el USDA-ARS, la Universidad de Florida y el Departamento de Alimentos y Servicios al Consumidor de Florida combinaron esfuerzos para producir en masa y liberar P. ichini en toda la zona de distribución invadida por pimenteros brasileños en Florida. Entre mayo del 2019 y diciembre del 2021, se liberaron más de 2 millones de P. ichini en 567 sitios de Florida. Durante este período, P. ichini persistió en el 60% de los sitios de estudio durante al menos 1 generación, como lo indica la recuperación de adultos de trips al menos 60 días después de la liberación. Estos resultados indican que este trips, un agente de control biológico clásico, ha persistido en el área de distribución invadida por el pimentero brasileño en Florida con poblaciones evidentes en muchos de los sitios de liberación. Este agente de control biológico proporcionará a los administradores de tierras un medio seguro y rentable para controlar el pimentero brasileño.

Giant salvinia ( Mitchell; Salviniaceae) is an invasive aquatic fern that inflicts significant economic and ecological threats when unmanaged. Biological control of giant salvinia using the semi-aquatic weevil, Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has proven successful in tropical and subtropical regions. The study aimed to assess the impact of salinity on growth and health, as well as feeding behavior and density. Laboratory and outdoor mesocosm experiments were conducted at three salinity levels, <1, 5, and 10 ppt, alongside a field survey in southwestern Louisiana. Results indicated that growth and health declined with increasing salinity, with significant damage observed at 5 ppt and near-total mortality at 10 ppt. feeding showed no significant differences across salinity levels in controlled settings, but field data revealed a decrease in weevil density at higher salinities. These findings suggest that while can tolerate moderate salinity, its biological control via is less effective in saline environments. The study underscores the need for adaptive management strategies in coastal regions facing rising salinity due to climate change and sea-level rise.

Chinese tallowtree, Triadica sebifera (L.) Small (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), is an invasive weed from southern China that is invasive in the Gulf states of the southeastern USA. One significant factor that contributes to the success of this weed has been the lack of herbivore species attacking it in the invaded range. However, the leafminer species Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was discovered feeding on Chinese tallowtree in Florida in 2008 and has now been found throughout much of the plant's invaded range. We monitored the seasonal abundance of C. triadicae populations and their associated parasitoids over 2 yr in Florida. Populations of C. triadicae peaked in Jun and Jul in 2013 and 2014. Parasitism averaged about 3.3% of larvae and pupae, with a peak of 12%. The most abundant parasitoid species was Goniozus sp. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (76% of all parasitoid individuals reared) and, second, Brasema sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) (18% of parasitoids). Due to specific niche requirements and the apparent exploitation of leaf mines by these parasitoid species, it is doubtful they will attack species being considered for biological control of Chinese tallowtree.

The testa of higher plant seeds protects the embryo against adverse environmental conditions. Its role is assumed mainly by controlling germination through dormancy imposition and by limiting the detrimental activity of physical and biological agents during seed storage. To analyze the function of the testa in the model plant Arabidopsis, we compared mutants affected in testa pigmentation and/or structure for dormancy, germination, and storability. The seeds of most mutants exhibited reduced dormancy. Moreover, unlike wild-type testas, mutant testas were permeable to tetrazolium salts. These altered dormancy and tetrazolium uptake properties were related to defects in the pigmentation of the endothelium and its neighboring crushed parenchymatic layers, as determined by vanillin staining and microscopic observations. Structural aberrations such as missing layers or a modified epidermal layer in specific mutants also affected dormancy levels and permeability to tetrazolium. Both structural and pigmentation mutants deteriorated faster than the wild types during natural aging at room temperature, with structural mutants being the most strongly affected.

Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly mobile and polyphagous pest known to feed on over 300 cultivated and wild host plant species. Larvae cause significant economic damage to several commercial row crops over multiple generations each growing season. The objective of this study was to compare biological fitness of H. zea on 5 weedy host plants commonly found across the mid-south US. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), kudzu (Pueraria montana [Lour.] Merr. (all Fabaceae), and honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.; Caprifoliaceae) were evaluated as primary food sources for H. zea under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 0.5 °C, a relative humidity of 60 ± 5%, and a 14:10 h (L:D) photoperiod. This study measures the development, biomass, survival, and fecundity of H. zea when reared on the reproductive tissues of 5 common weeds. Larvae of H. zea successfully developed on all 5 weeds to adulthood, but significant mortality (> 50%) was observed for larvae reared on hairy vetch, honeysuckle, and kudzu. Larval developmental periods ranged from 30 d to 39 d for H. zea reared on honeysuckle and white clover, respectively. Pupal biomass ranged 158.1 mg to 161.2 mg for individuals reared on hairy vetch, followed by 196.2 mg to 202.8 mg on crimson clover, and 204.6 to 217.4 mg for individuals on white clover, honeysuckle, and kudzu collectively. Pupal emergence varied from 92.1% to 61.8% for crimson clover and hairy vetch, respectively. Larval mortality varied from 25.3% on crimson clover to 68.9% for hairy vetch. Average adult longevity ranged from 10 d to 11 d for females and males reared on crimson clover to 4 d on kudzu and 4 d on white clover for female and male, respectively. The average number of eggs laid by females reared on crimson clover, white clover, hairy vetch, honeysuckle, and kudzu were 553.5, 512.3, 288.2, 194.7, and 142.2, respectively. Our findings indicate crimson and white clover were among the most suitable hosts, and kudzu the most unsuitable based on larval mortality and reproductive capability. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los parámetros biológicos de Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en cinco plantas hospederas comunes de mid-south: trébol carmesí (Trifolium incarnatum L.), trébol blanco (Trifolium repens L.), arveja vellosa (Vicia villosa Roth), kudzu (Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.) (todos Fabaceae) y madreselva Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) evaluadas bajo condiciones de laboratorio a 27 ± 0.5 °C, 60 ± 5% de humedad relativa y un fotoperíodo de 14:10 (L:O). Se midió el tiempo de desarrollo de huevo, larva y pupa, peso pupal, longevidad y fecundidad del adulto de H. zea. La larva se desarrolló con excito hasta adulto sobre las cinco plantas hospederas, sin embargo, se observo una diferencia significativa de > 50% in larvas criadas en arveja vellosa, madreselva y kudzu. El rango del periodo de desarrollo larval vario de 30 d a 39 d en madreselva y trébol blanco, respectivamente. El rango de biomasa de pupa vario de 217.4 mg para hembras criadas en trébol blanco y 213.6 mg para machos criados en madreselva a 161.2 y 158.1 mg para hembras y machos criados en arveja vellosa. La emergencia de pupa vario de 92.1% a 61.8% para trébol carmesí y arveja vellosa, respectivamente. La mortalidad de larva vario de 25.3% en trébol carmesí a 68.9% en arveja vellosa. El rango promedio de longevidad del adulto vario de 10.3 d a 11.2 d para hembras y machos criados en trébol carmesí a 4 d en kudzu y 4 d en trébol blanco, respectivamente. El promedio de huevos ovipositados por hembras criadas en trébol carmesí, trébol blanco, arveja vellosa, madreselva y kudzu fueron de 553.5, 512.3, 288.2, 194.7 y 142.2, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados indican que los tréboles blanco y carmesí fueron los mas susceptibles comparados con el resto de las plantas hospederas y con base en mortalidad de larva y capacidad reproductiva de adultos, kudzu fue el mas resistente.

MED was detected for the first time in the Dominican Republic from 2 provinces (Santo Domingo and Santiago), 2 host plants (tomato and tobacco), and 2 environments (greenhouse and open field). All MED sequences were identical and determined to be of Eastern Mediterranean origin. MEAM1 was the predominant B. tabaci cryptic species present, and was detected in all but 1 sample, which was 100% MED. NW was detected twice on eggplant in different geographical regions, and once on Mexican prickly poppy in a native habitat, but always with MEAM1.

A global conservation goal is to understand the pathways through which invasive species are introduced into new regions. Botanic gardens are a pathway for the introduction of invasive non‐native plants, but a quantitative assessment of the risks they pose has not been performed. I analyzed data on the living collections of over 3000 botanic gardens worldwide to quantify the temporal trend in the representation of non‐native species; the relative composition of threatened, ornamental, or invasive non‐native plant species; and the frequency with which botanic gardens implement procedures to address invasive species. While almost all of the world's worst invasive non‐native plants occurred in one or more living collections (99%), less than one‐quarter of red‐listed threatened species were cultivated (23%). Even when cultivated, individual threatened species occurred in few living collections (7.3), while non‐native species were on average grown in 6 times as many botanic gardens (44.3). As a result, a botanic garden could, on average, cultivate four times as many invasive non‐native species (20) as red‐listed threatened species (5). Although the risk posed by a single living collection is small, the probability of invasion increases with the number of botanic gardens within a region. Thus, while both the size of living collections and the proportion of non‐native species cultivated have declined during the 20th century, this reduction in risk is offset by the 10‐fold increase in the number of botanic gardens established worldwide. Unfortunately, botanic gardens rarely implement regional codes of conduct to prevent plant invasions, few have an invasive species policy, and there is limited monitoring of garden escapes. This lack of preparedness is of particular concern given the rapid increase in living collections worldwide since 1950, particularly in South America and Asia, and highlights past patterns of introduction will be a poor guide to determining future invasion risks.

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is one of the most invasive weeds in Florida and Hawaii. In the invaded range, this fast-growing weed from South America poses a threat to agriculture and cattle production and decreases the biodiveristy of natural areas. The thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is being studied as a potential agent for the biological control of this weed. The laboratory life history and native range of P. ichini in Brazil were examined over 10 yr. The thrips life history includes 2 feeding larval stages that occur on the plant and 3 non-feeding pupal stages that occur in the soil. Development time, body length, and distinct features of each life stage are described. The larva-to-adult development required 20 d, and adults lived for an average of 50 d. Pseudophilothrips ichini had a wide latitudinal range in Brazil along the eastern coast from Bahia (11.4°S) south to Santa Catarina State (27.1°S). It was collected from sea level to 1,329 m elevation. Observations in Brazil indicated that this thrips occurs year round and may occasionally reach high densities (>20 thrips/leaf). Despite searches in its native range of related plants, the thrips was found only on Brazilian peppertree. Considering the short generation time, broad environmental tolerance, host specificity, and damage caused to the host if this thrips is released for biological control, it will contribute significantly to the management of Brazilian peppertree.