SURVEY FOR ORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH DYER’S WOAD, ISATIS TINCTORIA L. (BRASSICACEAE), IN CENTRAL ITALY, AND PRELIMINARY HOST SPECIFICITY TESTS FOR SOME POTENTIAL CONTROL AGENTS (INSECTA)

Abstract

A survey conducted in central Italy found 126 species of phytophagous insects from five orders and 25 families on dyer’s woad,<em> Isatis tinctoria</em> L., a biennial or short-lived perennial. About 75% of the species found attacking this weed were polyphagous, 20% were restricted to the family Brassicaceae, and only 5% were restricted to the genus <em>Isatis</em>. Four of the one hundred twenty six species recovered were specific enough to merit further research as candidates for biological control of <em>I. tinctoria</em> L. in the United States. Preliminary host range tests were conducted for the weevils <em>Ceutorhynchus</em> <em>rusticus</em> Gyllenhal, <em>Ceutorhynchus</em> <em>peyerimoffi</em> Hustache, <em>Aulacobaris</em> <em>fallax</em> (H. Brisout), and the fleabeetle <em>Psylliodes isatidis</em> Heikertinger. All tests were conducted at the USDA-ARS-EBCL Rome substation from 2003 to 2006 and are reported herein.