Abstract
AbstractThe host specificity of the European flea‐beetle Longitarsus quadriguttatus was investigated between 1991 and 1993 as a potential agent for the biological control of hound's‐tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), a weed of European origin that has become naturalized in North America. Life‐history studies showed a good synchronization of the univoltine flea‐beetle with its host plant. Adults feed on leaves and deposit eggs on host plant rosettes. The larvae develop inside the roots. Host specificity screening tests comprising adult feeding‐, oviposition‐ and larval development tests were carried out with 49 European plant species. Adults or larvae exclusively attacked plants in the family Boraginaceae. The 18 test plant species in nine other families remained free from feeding and oviposition and supported no larval development. Adults nibbled on most of the 31 Boraginaceae species tested. Normal adult feeding was mainly found on plants in the tribe Cynoglosseae, which were preferrably attacked in oviposition tests. Larvae developed mainly in roots of Cynoglosseae species. Occasional attack of other Boraginoideae species in laboratory tests could not be verified under field conditions. Host acceptance tests showed normal feeding, oviposition and development on the North American biotype of hound's‐tongue. L. quadriguttatus has a narrow host range and a good potential for controlling the target plant in North America.
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