Gratiana boliviana

Last updated

Gratiana boliviana
Gratiana boliviana.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Gratiana
Species:
G. boliviana
Binomial name
Gratiana boliviana
Spaeth, 1926

Gratiana boliviana is a species of beetle in the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. Its common name is tropical soda apple leaf beetle. It is native to South America, where its distribution includes Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. [1] It specializes on tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), an invasive plant species. It has been released as an agent of biological pest control against the weedy plant in Florida and other parts of the United States. [1]

Contents

Description and life cycle

The adult beetle is about 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long and 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 in) wide. [1] The young adult is green in color and turns yellow as it ages. [2] It is pale brown during its overwintering stage, when it enters diapause. The ventral abdomen is somewhat transparent, and during its reproductive season the internal sex organs become visible: white oviducts in the female and orange testes in the male. [1]

The larva is light green and covered in spines. Older larvae usually carry fecal shields. The pupa is flattened and pale green in color. It rests attached to the underside of a leaf. [1]

In Florida, diapause occurs in December through March, during which time the adult is dormant and hidden in leaf litter. Starting in March or April, the adults come out to feed and mate. Seven to eight generations occur during the year. The female lays single eggs on the leaves of the tropical soda apple plant. [1] A female can produce about 300 eggs. [2] Each egg is between 1 and 2 millimetres (0.039 and 0.079 in) long including its wide, transparent, papery casing. The larva emerges in 5 to 6 days, feeds voraciously, progresses through five instars, and becomes a pupa after 16 to 18 days. Pupation lasts about a week. [1] The female beetle lives 3 to 4 months. [2]

tropical soda apple Solanum viarum 2.jpg
tropical soda apple

Host interaction

The main host plant of the beetle is the tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), a prickly shrub in the nightshade family. Like the beetle, it is native to South America. It was first discovered in the United States in 1988 in Florida. [1] It has since spread as far north as Pennsylvania [3] and as far west as Arizona. [4] As of 2011, over one million acres are infested in the United States. [2] The tropical soda apple has been nicknamed "the plant from hell". [5]

The plant is a noxious weed producing large, dense, prickly thickets that outcompete native plants and disturb wildlife habitat. [1] It reduces the cattle carrying capacity of pasture land, costing ranchers millions of dollars in Florida alone. It is an alternate host for several viruses of crop plants, including cucumber mosaic virus, potato leafroll virus, potato virus Y, tobacco etch virus, and tomato mosaic virus. It hosts pest insects such as the silverleaf whitefly, Colorado potato beetle, tomato hornworm, tobacco hornworm, and southern green stinkbug. [3]

The beetle is host-specific. Studies have shown that it can only complete its life cycle on tropical soda apple. When offered over 120 other species of plants, the beetle fed lightly on only one of them and barely sampled three others, all Solanum species. It rarely laid eggs on any other plants, either. Eggplant, a Solanum crop, is not attacked by the beetle in its home range. [2] Larvae always die when limited to native US Solanum species. The only other known natural host is the South American plant Solanum palinacanthum . [6] Its host specificity made the beetle a relatively safe choice for introduction. [3] [6]

The larva of the beetle feeds on the upper third of the plant, damaging its leaves. [2] The adult also feeds on the foliage. [6] Feeding damage takes the form of holes in the leaves. The injury facilitates the entry of pathogens and causes stress to the plant, reducing its growth and fruit production. [7] Larvae kept free of natural enemies can almost completely defoliate a plant. [2]

The beetle was released in Florida in 2003. As of 2010 it had become established in many areas there, and stands of tropical soda apple in these areas have been well defoliated, lower in fruit yield, thinned and replaced by other plants. No beetle damage has been noted on any other plant species. [8] This tropical beetle cannot develop where cold temperatures occur, so its establishment farther north will be limited. [4]

Ecology

Many natural enemies of the beetle have been noted in Florida, including predators and parasitoids. Predators include the bug Geocoris punctipes , an assassin bug of genus Sinea , the shield bugs Perillus bioculatus and Stiretrus anchorago , the mirid bug Tupiocoris notatus , the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), and the green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans).

A number of parasitoid wasps attack the pupae, including Conura side , Aprostocetus cassidis , and Brasema sp. [1]

Pathogens that can affect the beetle include the parasitic neogregarine protozoan Mattesia oryzaephili and a microsporidian of the genus Nosema . [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Solanum viarum</i> Species of shrub

Solanum viarum, the tropical soda apple, is a perennial shrub native to Brazil and Argentina with a prickly stem and prickly leaves. The fruit is golf-ball-sized with the coloration of a watermelon. It is considered an invasive species in the lower eastern coastal states of the United States and recently on the Mid North Coast of Australia.

<i>Diabrotica undecimpunctata</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the spotted cucumber beetle or southern corn rootworm, is a species of cucumber beetle that is native to North America. The species can be a major agricultural pest insect in North America. Spotted cucumber beetles cause damage to crops in the larval and adult stages of their life cycle. Larvae feed on the roots of the emerging plants, which causes the most damage since the young plants are more vulnerable. In the adult stage the beetles cause damage by eating the flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits of the plant The beetles can also spread diseases such as bacterial wilt and mosaic virus.

<i>Agasicles hygrophila</i> Species of beetle

Agasicles hygrophila is a species of leaf beetle known by the common name alligator weed flea beetle. It has been used successfully as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as alligator weed.

Aphthona cyparissiae is a species of leaf beetle known as the brown dot leafy spurge flea beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed leafy spurge.

Aphthona czwalinae is a species of leaf beetle known as the black leafy spurge flea beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed leafy spurge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coccinellidae</span> Family of beetles

Coccinellidae is a widespread family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom; "lady" refers to mother Mary. Entomologists use the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles to avoid confusion with true bugs. The more than 6,000 described species have a global distribution and are found in a variety of habitats. They are oval beetles with a domed back and flat underside. Many of the species have conspicuous aposematic (warning) colours and patterns, such as red with black spots, that warn potential predators that they taste bad.

<i>Cryptolaemus montrouzieri</i> Beetle that eats pest mealybugs

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, common name mealybug ladybird or mealybug destroyer, is a species of ladybird beetle native to eastern Australia. The beetle feeds on mealybugs and other scale insects, and is used to control those pests on citrus orchards worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thistle tortoise beetle</span> Species of beetle

The thistle tortoise beetle is a species of beetle in the subfamily Cassidinae and the genus Cassida. The thistle tortoise beetle can be recognized by its green, rounded back and it can be found on thistle plants in many regions of North America and Europe. The thistle tortioise beetle was first discovered in 1902 in Lévis, Quebec. In 1931, Nellie F. Paterson was the first to document the mature larva. Later, the instar larva of this species was first recorded in 2004 by Jolanta Świętojańska. The thistle tortoise beetle exhibits multiple defense behaviors, such as a flexible shield, providing a barrier against the mandibles of predators, and an excretion that protects the eggs as well.

<i>Diorhabda carinulata</i> Species of beetle

Diorhabda carinulata is a species of leaf beetle known as the northern tamarisk beetle, which feeds on tamarisk trees from southern Russia and Iran to Mongolia and western China. This beetle is used in North America as a biological pest control agent against saltcedar or tamarisk, an invasive species in arid and semiarid ecosystems.

<i>Diorhabda elongata</i> Species of beetle

Diorhabda elongata is a species of leaf beetle known as the Mediterranean tamarisk beetle (MTB) which feeds on tamarisk trees from Portugal and Algeria east to southern Russia. The MTB is used in North America as a biological pest control agent against saltcedar or tamarisk, an invasive species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

<i>Diorhabda carinata</i> Species of beetle

Diorhabda carinata is a species of leaf beetle known as the larger tamarisk beetle which feeds on tamarisk trees from Ukraine, eastern Turkey and Syria east to northwest China, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, extending as far south as southern Iran. It is used in North America as a biological pest control agent against saltcedar or tamarisk, an invasive species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

<i>Diorhabda sublineata</i> Species of beetle

Diorhabda sublineata is a leaf beetle known as the subtropical tamarisk beetle (STB). The species was first described by Hippolyte Lucas in 1849. It feeds on tamarisk trees from Portugal, Spain and France to Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and Iraq. It is used in North America as a biological pest control agent against saltcedar or tamarisk, an invasive species in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

<i>Anthonomus tenebrosus</i> Species of beetle

Anthonomus tenebrosus is a flowerbud weevil native to South America.

<i>Leptinotarsa haldemani</i> Species of beetle

Leptinotarsa haldemani, commonly known as Haldeman's green potato beetle, is a glossy green-colored species of beetle in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. It was named in honour of Samuel Stehman Haldeman, a 19th-century American entomologist who collected insect specimens in Texas.

<i>Solanum tampicense</i> Species of flowering plant

Solanum tampicense, also known as wetland nightshade, aquatic soda apple, and scrambling nightshade, is a perennial in the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. It can exist as a vine, tree, or shrub and is native to the West Indies and Central America. It is classified as a noxious weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and by several states and is known as an invasive species in the state of Florida.

<i>Diabrotica balteata</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica balteata is a species of cucumber beetle in the family Chrysomelidae known commonly as the banded cucumber beetle. It occurs in the Americas, where its distribution extends from the United States to Colombia and Venezuela in South America. It is also present in Cuba. It is a pest of a variety of agricultural crops.

<i>Platyphora</i> Genus of beetles

Platyphora is a genus of broad-shouldered leaf beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae.

<i>Lilioceris cheni</i> Species of beetle

Lilioceris cheni, the air potato leaf beetle, is a species of beetle in the genus Lilioceris that feeds on air potato plants. Air potatoes and the beetles are both native to Asia but have been introduced elsewhere. The air potato plants are an invasive species found throughout Florida, and the beetles were introduced in 2012 by biologists in Florida to help control the spread of the air potato.

<i>Gratiana</i> (beetle) Genus of beetles

Gratiana is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about seven described species in Gratiana.

Galerucella placida, is a species of leaf beetle found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. It is widely used as a bio-control agent in many rice and wheat fields to control weeds.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Diaz, R., et al. Tropical soda apple leaf beetle, Gratiana boliviana. Entomology and Nematology. University of Florida, IFAS. 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Medal, J. C., et al. Biology of Gratiana boliviana, the first biocontrol agent released to control tropical soda apple in the USA. Archived 2013-10-19 at the Wayback Machine Document ENY-826 (IN487). Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida IFAS. Publication date 2003, revised 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 Medal, J. C., et al. (2002). Gratiana boliviana, a potential biocontrol agent of Solanum viarum: Quarantine host-specificity testing in Florida and field surveys in South America. BioControl 47(4) 445-61.
  4. 1 2 Diaz, R., et al. (2008). Temperature-dependent development, cold tolerance, and potential distribution of Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum (Solanaceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 18(2) 193-207.
  5. ↑ Coile, N. C. Tropical Soda Apple, Solanum viarum Dunal: The Plant from Hell. Botany Circular No. 27. May/June 1993. Division of Plant Industry. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  6. 1 2 3 Horner, T. A. (2003). Field release of a nonindigenous beetle, Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), for biological control of tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum (Solanaceae). USDA APHIS.
  7. ↑ Diaz, R., et al. Gratiana boliviana. In: Shelton, A. (ed.) Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America. Cornell University. Accessed 21 July 2013.
  8. ↑ Medal, J. C. and J. P. Cuda. (2010). Establishment and initial impact of the leaf-beetle Gratiana boliviana (Chrysomelidae), first biocontrol agent released against tropical soda apple in Florida. Archived 2018-05-20 at the Wayback Machine Florida Entomologist 93(4) 493-500.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.