Abstract
AbstractThe ceutorhynchine weevilsHadroplontus litura(F.) andMicroplontus edentulus(Schultze) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are established in North America as biological control agents for Canada thistle,Cirsium arvense(L.) Scop., and scentless chamomile,Tripleurospermum perforatum(Mérat) M. Lainz (Asteraceae), respectively. In North America, both weeds occur sympatrically and in similar habitats as another ceutorhynchine,Ceutorhynchus obstrictus(Marsham) (cabbage seedpod weevil), an important pest of canola,Brassica napusL., andBrassica rapaL. (Brassicaceae). Ceutorhynchinae weevils released to control weeds in cultivated crops may serve as alternate hosts if agents released for biological control ofC. obstrictusare not specific to that species. Parasitoids associated withM. edentulusandH. liturainflict similar levels of mortality on their hosts, yet a single species was associated with the latter host, whereas 13 species attacked the former. The stem-miningM. edentulusappears to be at some risk but not the root-crown feedingH. litura, should the parasitoidsTrichomalus perfectus(Walker) andMesopolobus morys(Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) be introduced as biological control agents of the silique-feedingC. obstrictus. These findings suggest that feeding niche may be an important criterion for developing a nontarget species test list for host-range testing of potential biological control agents.
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