INVESTIGADORES
VARONE Laura
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Regarding the Role of New Host Associations in the Success of Cactoblastis cactorum as Both a Biological Control Agent and Invasive Species
Autor/es:
HIGHT, STEPHEN M.; LOGARZO, GUILLERMO A.; VARONE, LAURA; CARPENTER, JAMES E.
Lugar:
Waikoloa
Reunión:
Congreso; XIII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds; 2011
Institución organizadora:
University of Hawaii
Resumen:
A key theoretical basis for using classic biological control against invasive alien species (IAS)
has been the enemy release hypothesis (ERH), which suggests that the increased vigor and
invasiveness of IAS in the introduced range is strongly influenced by their release from coevolved
natural enemies. Classical biological control aims to reunite IAS with their natural
enemies and restore ecological balance and stability. The ERH is supported by the historical
example of highly-invasive Opuntia (Mill.) spp. in Australia that had been introduced from
North America without their natural enemies. It also is supported by the legendary control of
these invasive Opuntia spp. when the Argentine cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg),
was introduced from Argentina without its natural enemies. Cactoblastis cactorum later
was unintentionally introduced into Florida where it has rapidly expanded its geographical
range along both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, invaded the Yucatan Peninsula,
Mexico, and threatens Opuntia-based agriculture and ecosystems in the southwestern USA
and Mexico. Although the ERH predicts that classical biological control would be indicated
for this invasive pest, we wanted to examine the role of all mortality factors in the native
range using life table analysis on both native, co-evolved Opuntia host species and on an
introduced, non-co-evolved Opuntia host species. We found limited egg and larval mortality
due to predators or parasitoids, however there was a strong influence of co-evolved host
plant resistance by the native Opuntia spp. Larval establishment, rate of larval development,
and number of generations per year were lower on native Opuntia spp. than on introduced
Opuntia spp. Although the ERH may be a factor in the success of C. cactorum as both a
biological control agent and an invasive species, results from our studies in its native range
suggest that release from co-evolved host plant resistance may exert a greater influence.