Assessing Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) development when reared on Brazilian peppertree grown in brackish environments

Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is a classical biological control agent used to control Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, in Florida, USA. Brazilian peppertree is an invasive weed that threatens natural and agricultural environments, including sensitive habitats such as mangrove swamps. As P. ichini generally pupates in the soil and its host plant can occur in wet areas, it is important to investigate the effects of soil type, moisture, salinity, and immersion survival time on adult emergence. Five moisture contents (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were used in factorial combination with three soil types (fine sand, sand, and muck) using fresh or brackish water. To simulate sporadic flooding, we also assessed larval and pupal survival after being immersed in fresh and brackish water for 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 16, and 32 h. A generalised mixed model logistic regression was used to analyse the data in both experiments. As soil moisture content increased, the proportion of P. ichini emerging as adults decreased across all soil types and water types. The survival of larvae and pupae immersed in either brackish or fresh water declined over time, with no survival at 32 h. There was a significant difference between water types for the survival of pupae and adult emergence of pupae and larvae, with higher survival in brackish water. The outcome of this study contributes to our understanding of P. ichini ecology and the estimation of thrips establishment success in a variety of habitats infested by Brazilian peppertree.

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an invasive tree in the Southeastern United States, Texas, California, and Hawaii. The Brazilian peppertree thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini Hood (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), is a recently approved biological control agent for use within the US. The thrips have since been released in the field and are expected to reduce Brazilian peppertree performance. Pseudophilothrips ichini is likely to impact young trees but the impacts may vary based on thrips population size and tree age. To better understand the factors contributing to agent impact on young trees and P. ichini population growth, we measured the effect of P. ichini density (0, 4, 10, and 20 thrips) and tree age (3-, 4-, and 6-month-old plants), on tree performance and P. ichini productivity in the laboratory. Brazilian peppertree height and the number of growing tips were reduced across all age groups. However, the negative impact was more pronounced on the youngest trees, which had a reduction in the relative change in height of 171% and a 100% reduction in the number of growing tips. Pseudophilothrips ichini production was positively correlated with tree height (r = 0.44) and biomass (r = 0.56), but thrips relative production was similar across tree age. Results indicate that P. ichini have a great capacity for population increase regardless of starting density. Field studies are needed to corroborate these findings and identify barriers to agent success. This work aims to refine expectations of the impacts to Brazilian peppertree caused by P. ichini.

The impact and production of the Brazilian peppertree biological control agent Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is affected by the level of host-plant fertilization

Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, Anacardiaceae) is an aggressive invasive species that occurs in peninsular Florida, USA. Current management techniques are expensive, require repeated application, and cause non-target damage in ecologically sensitive habitats. Calophya lutea Burckhardt and Calophya terebinthifolii Burckhardt & Basset (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) were found damaging Brazilian peppertree in Brazil. To determine if C. lutea and C. terebinthifolii are suitable biological control agents of Brazilian peppertree, host specificity testing was conducted in a quarantine laboratory. In total, 97 plant species were tested, and oviposition and gall initiation were evaluated under no-choice conditions. Calophya lutea and C. terebinthifolii oviposited on nine and five of the 97 plant species tested, respectively. The majority of the eggs were laid on Brazilian peppertree and complete immature development with adult emergence occurred only on Brazilian peppertree. Adult longevity and behavior were determined in a separated experiment on all non-target species on which Calophya oviposited during the host specificity experiment. Adult longevity was four to five times longer on Brazilian peppertree when compared to non-target species. Based on our results, we conclude that both C. lutea and C. terebinthifolii are host-specific and form galls and complete development only on Brazilian peppertree. Therefore, these agents are considered safe to release in Florida and should be incorporated into the ongoing biological control program.

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...

Invasive plants are rapidly entering new ecosystems due to globalisation, increased trade, and frequent disturbances of natural habitats. Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, known as the Brazilian peppertree, is a particularly aggressive invasive shrub in Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and California. Due to its aggressive growth and the damage it can cause to ecological systems, it is considered one of the worst upland invasive species in the state of Florida, prompting extensive biological control efforts. The classical biological control agent, Pseudophilothrips ichini, was approved for release in Florida in 2019, with over 6 million thrips released to date. However, the establishment and persistence of these thrips have been inconsistent, and little research has been conducted to understand these patterns. Here, we employ ecological niche modelling as a tool to predict suitable habitats for Brazilian peppertree and P. ichini. Ecological niche models were calibrated using location data of both organisms from their native ranges and bioclimatic data from WorldClim. These models accurately predicted the potential distribution of Brazilian peppertree (AUCtraining = 0.914, AUCvalidation = 0.913) and P. ichini (AUCtraining = 0.934, AUCvalidation = 0.918). The projections indicated that most of Florida is climatically suitable for the Brazilian peppertree, aligning with its known distribution. However, discrepancies were observed between the projected and actual distribution of P. ichini, suggesting that additional environmental or biotic factors may influence their establishment. Further research is necessary to refine these models and enhance the integration of P. ichini into pest management programmes to better conserve time, resources, and funds.

Summary The thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), which is native to Brazil, is a candidate for classical biological control of the invasive Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), in the USA. This paper corrects errors of omission about the history of the Brazilian peppertree biological control program in Florida and several misstatements about the identity of the thrips in previously published literature.

The Brazilian peppertree thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), is an insect native to Brazil (Figure 1). This species has been studied for the last 20+ years as a potential biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), in Florida (Cuda et al. 2008; Cuda et al. 2008; Manrique at al. 2014; Wheeler et al. 2016a, b). Host specificity experiments demonstrated that Pseudophilothrips ichini has a limited host range (Cuda et al. 2008; Cuda et al. 2009; Wheeler et al. 2017) and can cause a severe reduction of Brazilian peppertree biomass (Manrique at al. 2014).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1270

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) (hereafter Schinus), is one of the worst invasive species in Florida and Hawaii. The thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini Hood (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is being considered as a potential biological control agent of Schinus. Two populations of this thrips were collected in the weed's native range; one from central-east Brazil (Ouro Preto thrips) and a second from north-east Brazil (Salvador thrips). Temperature requirements, adult fecundity and impact on different plant haplotypes by P. ichini were examined in the laboratory. Complete development of thrips from both populations occurred at temperatures ranging from 20 to 30°C. Two approaches were used to model the predicted distributions of the thrips populations in the USA: the physiological model (NAPPFAST) based on cold tolerance and the ecological niche model based on climatic variables (MaxEnt). The physiological model predicted that both populations of P. ichini may establish in similar areas of the USA, overlapping with the distribution of Schinus. However, the niche model predicted that only the Ouro Preto thrips could establish in the USA. The difference in model predictions suggests an apparent preadaptation of the Salvador thrips to lower temperatures than those experienced at the locations they were collected in Brazil. The Ouro Preto thrips had similar fecundity on two Florida Schinus haplotypes, whereas lower fecundity on haplotype A was found for the Salvador thrips. Based on these results, the Ouro Preto population may be better adapted to the climatic conditions and plant haplotypes found in Florida. Moreover, greenhouse studies indicated that Schinus growth was greatly reduced by thrips feeding, which may result in lower weed reproduction and densities in the field.

Invasive species cause damage to ecosystems by altering and dominating native habitats. Classical biological control can be a safe and effective way to control invasive species, especially in areas where chemical and mechanical control are not recommended, because of potential damage to non-target species, difficulty to access sites, and the costs associated with the treatment of large areas. Schinus terebinthifolia, Brazilian peppertree (BP) was introduced into Florida as an ornamental plant in the 1890s and is considered an aggressive invasive species in Florida. Pseudophilothrips ichini was the first biological control agent of BP released in Florida in 2019 and three Calophya spp., are under study as potential biological control agents. Feeding by Calophya can either elicit a hypersensitive response (HR) from BP that kills immatures at the feeding point or susceptibility with complete development and adult emergence. Pseudophilothrips ichini feeding does not elicit such response. To determine if previously elicited HR to the feeding of Calophya lutea affected P. ichini or its impact on, we measured the change in plant growth and the number of adults after one generation of P. ichini on susceptible and hypersensitive BP. After one generation of thrips feeding, plant height was the only factor that differed between plants that were hypersensitive and susceptible to Calophya lutea exposure, with hypersensitive plants being significantly shorter than susceptible plants. Our results suggest that even when HR is elicited by prior feeding of Calophya lutea, it will not affect P. ichini feeding and reproduction and should enhance control of BP.

We investigated ten honey samples from the Discovery Coast of Bahia, Brazil, to confirm the three predominant flower sources indicated by regional beekeepers: Brazilian peppertree - Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi; eucalyptus - Eucalyptus L'Hér. spp.; and velame - Croton L. spp.. The honeys were collected in five Southern Bahia municipalities - Belmonte, Eunápolis, Guaratinga, Itabela and Porto Seguro. The samples underwent acetolysis and, after slides mounting, the pollen types were identified and counted to determine the frequency classes. The pollen spectra revealed 31 pollen types in 27 genera and 17 families. The palynological analysis confirmed the predominant eucalyptus flower source indicated for four honey samples from Belmonte, Eunápolis, Itabela and Porto Seguro. Three honey samples previously indicated with predominant eucalyptus and velame flower sources had no predominant pollen. Eucalyptus predominated as the main flower source for another three samples previously indicated by beekeepers as Brazilian peppertree and velame. We conclude that regional honeys marketed as having a predominant flower source may have distinct botanical origin. This demands further research aimed at reviewing which bee plants provide resources for monofloral, bifloral and plurifloral honeys in the Bahian Discovery Coast.

Background Aroeira or Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae: Rhoeae), is one of the worst invasive plants in California, Florida, and Hawaii, USA because of its wide distribution, adaptation to various habitats, toxicity, and demonstrated negative impacts on biodiversity. Chemical and mechanical methods provide only temporary control, are expensive, may damage native plants, and often create disturbance conducive to reinvasion by Brazilian peppertree and other invasive weeds. The leaflet galling psyllid Calophya terebinthifolii Burckhardt & Basset (Calophyidae: Calophyinae) is [...]

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a perennial woody plant native to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, has become one of the most invasive weeds in Florida. A leaflet pit galling psyllid, Calophya terebinthifolii Burckhardt & Basset (Hemiptera: Calophyidae), has been identified as a potential biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree. However, biological information on the psyllid, including its life history, rearing procedures and potential distribution, is lacking. This type of information is essential when importing an insect for biological control purposes. From May–Aug 2009, field and laboratory research was conducted in Gaspar, Santa Catarina, Brazil with psyllids collected from the Atlantic coastal region of Santa Catarina. Laboratory studies on the psyllid in Brazil focused on: female fecundity (55.3 ± 8.9 eggs/female), the number and size of the immature stages, age-specific survivorship, and mean generation time (43.7 ± 1.2 days). Preliminary evidence from feeding trials suggests this psyllid from the Atlantic coastal region of Santa Catarina is locally adapted to Brazilian peppertree plants of haplotype A, which is one of the genetic types that invaded Florida. Ecological niche modelling with MaxEnt confirmed there was climatic overlap between Florida and the native range of the psyllid in South America. Using collection and survey locations of the psyllid in its native range and point locations for haplotype A plants in Florida, a map was created that predicted Volusia, coastal Pasco and Hernando counties, and a small section of southwestern Polk county as suitable locations for establishment of the psyllid if it is approved for release as a biocontrol agent.

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an ornamental shrub from South America that is invasive in Florida, California, Hawaii and Texas, USA and has become a global invader. Exploratory surveys were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay to discover natural enemies as possible biological control agents. One of the insects collected was subsequently identified as the stem boring weevil Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Faust). The weevil was found at several localities in Paraguay in April 2007 and transported to Florida, USA, for biological and host range studies. Laboratory no- choice, and multiple-choice tests were performed to determine if A. pipitzi was suitably host specific for release as a biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. In total, 79 North American plant species in 40 families and 28 Orders were tested. In the no-choice tests, complete development was significantly higher on Brazilian peppertree, Hardee peppertree, Schinus polygama (Cav.) Cabrera & I.M. Johnst., the invasive ornamental Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis Bunge and cultivated pistachio nut, Pistacia vera L. Both Pistacia spp. are chemically related to Brazilian peppertree. However, when given a choice, the stem boring weevil A. pipitzi reproduced only on Brazilian peppertree and the invasive congeneric Hardee peppertree. Overall, results of laboratory host range testing showed the stem boring weevil A. pipitzi is a Schinus specialist. This finding is consistent with field observations, museum records, and the preference-performance hypothesis, where larval survival, growth and normal development are maximised on plants selected for oviposition by the females.

Aroeira ou pimenta rosa, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardaceae), planta nativa da Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai é uma das plantas daninhas mais invasivas na Flórida. Em sua região de origem, pelo menos 4 espécies de psilídeos do gênero Calophya (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) estão associados a esta planta. Todas as quatro espécies são monófagas e provavelmente constituem um grupo monofilético que induzem galhas lenticulares abertas, usualmente na face superior da folha. Aqui a taxonomia das 4 espécies é revisada, 2 das quais são descritas como novas, C. lutea sp. nov. e C. praestigiator sp. nov. Diferenças morfológicas entre as 4 espécies são detalhadas e estruturas relevantes são ilustradas. Fornecemos chave para identificação de adultos e imaturos de quinto instar para as 8 espécies conhecidas como indutoras de galhas em espécies de Schinus.