Biocontrol of Purple Nutsedge byBactra verutanaZeller in a Greenhouse

Abstract

The degree of control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundusL.) provided byBactra verutanaZeller, a native moth, was evaluated for various stress conditions. Two, three, or four weekly infestations each with three larvae per live shoot, reduced purple nutsedge dry weight an average 77% compared with an average 55% for one infestation. Eight weekly infestations reduced plant dry weight 98%. Neither caging of the larvae on the plants nor osmotic stress with NaCl to −8 bars influenced larval efficacy, but nitrogen deficiency did reduce the effect of the larvae about 75%. Purple nutsedge had no effect on the dry weight of cucumber (Cucumis sativusL., ‘Straight Eight’) after 1 month, whether larvae were or were not present. Purple nutsedge did reduce the plant dry weight of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) Moench, ‘Clemson Spineless’) 64%, but repeated (eight) weekly infestations of larvae gave a plant weight of okra equal to that of okra grown without purple nutsedge. Purple nutsedge reduced the bulb and root dry weight of onion (Allium cepaL., ‘Big Valley’) 37%, but repeated weekly infestations of larvae gave onion growth equal to that of onion grown without purple nutsedge.