Zygogramma Suturalis Research Articles

A Review on the Biological Control of Common Ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae)

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is an annual in the Asteraceae that is broadly distributed in most temperate regions of the world. Since it is both extremely competitive and has allergenic pollens, common ragweed presents problems to agricultural production and public health. Currently, over 450 species of natural enemies of ragweed have been discovered, among which the leaf beetle Zygogramma suturalis (Chrysomelidae) and the moth Epiblema strenuana (Tortricidae)have been the two most effective species for ragweed suppression. In addition, in China outstanding control has been provided by the leaf beetle Ophraella communa. The complementary use of O. communa and E. strenuana has also been tested in southern China to good effect on A. artemisiifolia. In addition, several pathogens have been considered as potential biological control agents of common ragweed. This paper mainly introduces common ragweed, considers its negative effects, and reviews the history and current achievements of common ragweed biological control.

Zygogramma suturalis

This datasheet on Zygogramma suturalis covers Identity, Distribution, Further Information.

Potential of controlling selected weeds in Europe with insects

Weed control by insects is increasingly important, as chemical weed control (the use of herbicides) has an important impact on the environment and, consequently, on all organisms living there. The use of insects to control weeds thus represents an alternative to herbicides. The article presents the suppression of some widespread and persistent weeds in Europe with their natural enemies - insects. The following combinations presented below are: broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) – Gastrophysa viridula (De Geer, 1775), curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) – Apion violaceum (Kirby, 1808), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) – Ophraella communa (LeSage, 1986) and Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) – Cassida rubiginosa (Müller, 1776), cleavers (Galium aparine L.) – Halidamia affinis (Fallen, 1807) and Sermylassa halensis (Linnaeus, 1767), common knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.) and black-bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus L.) – Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus, 1758) and as the last one field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) – Galeruca rufa (Germar, 1824) and Tyta luctuosa (Denis in Schiffmuller, 1775).

MODELING THE GROWTH RATES OF ALIEN INSECTS SPECIFIED DIFFERENTIATED BY STAGES OF ONTOGENESIS

Our studies are devoted to various aspects of invasive processes in biosystems. When invading aggressive insects, the resistance of the biotic environment is significant, but the final time may be completely absent. Under conditions of high specific fecundity, there will be non-stationary regimes of changes in the abundance of individuals in the population. An outbreak with a phase of explosive growth is realized, so we modeled one particular variant of an outbreak of populations earlier. Outbreaks are associated with a number of changes in physiological regulation that are observed in ecodynamics under extreme conditions of the species and environment. A classic example of changes is the appearance of migratory winged forms in the locust and the usually flightless leaf beetle introduced in the Stavropol Territory Zygogramma suturalis during the formation of a population wave front with a huge density of individuals. Traditional mathematical models for describing the rates of average weight gain for individuals of a generation cannot consider situations of rapid invasions, where competition and survival factors at different stages of insect development are very different, since the density of generations varies by orders of magnitude. Effect on growth of local congestion value may not be constant in ontogenesis. The factor of the total number is reflected differently at different stages of life. The purpose of the simulation is to obtain a bistable and flexible dynamic system. The article proposes a model for a differentiated description of weight gain at three stages of development of insects with an incomplete cycle of transformations by three differential equations conjugated by initial conditions. As a result, a continuously discrete dynamic system with a hybrid representation of time on the life cycle interval is implemented. We will use the model when supplementing the hybrid computing structure for calculating the rate of decline of individuals of generations. Mortality changes dramatically with the launch and attenuation of an invasive outbreak. Here, the deviation of growth rates from optimal values plays a role. The idea of the work is that all processes: changes in numbers or growth for insects should be simulated by the stages of development of their ontogenesis.

THE FORMATION OF THE CONSORTIA RELATIONS OF MOLIPTERYX FULIGINOSA (UHLER, 1860) (HEMIPTERA, COREIDAE) WITH AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA IN THE PRIMORSKII KRAI OF RUSSIA

Currently, invasive species spreading is becoming a key problem on the global scale. Scope of invasive species control get solved at governmental level in many countries; hundreds of billions dollars a year are allocated as financial support; global programs are created. For the first time, biological control of invasive species Ambrosia artemisiifolia using an introduced phytophage insect was applied in Russia (former USSR) in the 60-70s years of the 20th century and it remains a unique large-scale example until to nowadays. Ambrosia leaf beetle (Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775) was brought to the Russian Far East for biological control of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in the 80-90s years of the 20th century for the first time, however the targeted result was not achieved. At present, Zygogramma suturalis were adapted at the Primorskii Krai in the south of the Far East, but due to climatic conditions its numbers are low and, as a result, the impact on ambrosia is minimal. The search for native insect species with capable of effectively suppressing the spread of aggressive quarantine weed in local conditions remains in the area of focus. At the moment, two species of native leaf beetles have been identified, using Ambrosia as an additional element in the diet. Climate changes and the shift of biogeographic boundaries cause the natural expansion of the areals of some East Asian insect species to the north within the Russian Far East. Bug-edge Molipteryx fuliginosa (Uhler, 1860) is one of such species. Expanding the area to the north and east, the species also corrects trophic preferences. As a result of our research in the south of Primorskii Krai, the trophic relations of Molipteryx fuliginosa were studied in the field conditions and in rearing cages. The same work was carried out in places where Ambrosia artemisiifolia were growing in a great number. For insects observing were used standard methods. As a result, firstly was established and confirmed that the bug-edge uses Ambrosia artemisiifolia as a feed plant only in select developmental stages, including imago. The feeding of larvae of IV – V ages was noted in natural conditions. The long-time Molipteryx fuliginosa development cycle on ambrosia leads to break the course of normal plant ontogenesis and causes wilting of individual organs.

Alien leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) of European Russia and some general tendencies of leaf beetle invasions.

Invasions of leaf beetles can cause tremendous economic consequences because some of these insects become major pests in invaded territories. We present the first inventory of alien Chrysomelidae of European Russia that appeared in the region in the 20th and 21st centuries (9 species) with analysis of the history of their invasions and detailed maps of distribution. This case study revealed some general tendencies of invasions of leaf beetles: (1) Recently, a dramatic increase in the rate of Chrysomelidae invasions is observed, which reflects the increase in international trade of living plants; (2) Alien leaf beetles can spread quickly, occupying almost all of Europe within several decades; (3) When the range of some leaf beetle species is quickly expanding, or when the species has been recorded established somewhere outside the native range, this species should be regarded as a potential invader worldwide. and (4) Alien leaf beetles usually occur on alien or cultivated plants, but some become naturalized in native communities. The specific information was the following. Two species native to the Mediterranean region, Chrysolina americana (feeds on Rosmarinus and Lavandula) and Leptomona erythrocephala (feeds on Lotus corniculatus) were recorded in European Russia for the first time. A polyphagous pest of floriculture Luperomorpha xanthodera native to China and Korea and a pest of soybeans Medythia nigrobilineata native to east Asia have been in the region since 2016. A pest of tobacco Epitrix hirtipennis native to North America has occurred since 2011. A pest of corn Diabrotica virgifera was intercepted at the border of Russia in 2011 but has not established. Three alien species have been in the region since the 20th century: Zygogramma suturalis introduced from North America for control of Ambrosia, Phyllotreta reitteri native to Afghanistan and Tajikistan and feeding on Lepidium latifolium, and the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

Zygogramma suturalis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the South of the Russian Far East (Primorskii Territory): Results of introduction

The history of introduction and the current state of the populations and habitats of Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775) in Primorskii Territory are reviewed. The introduction of Z. suturalis to the Russian Far East is shown to have failed to produce the desired result. After 30 years, the abundance of this species in Primorskii Territory is low and stable, increasing the importance of the use of native species (Neocrepidodera obscuritarsis and Chrysolina aurichalcea) in biological control.

On assessment of the large-scale effect of introduction of the ragweed leaf beetle Zygogramma suturalis F. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on the phytocenoses of South Russia

Evaluation of the efficiency of large-scale projects of phytophage introduction for weed control is of importance for both the theory and practice of biological control. Introduction of the ragweed leaf beetle Zygogramma suturalis F. into the USSR in the 1960–80s is an example of such a project. The main theoretical result of this project was the discovery of the phenomenon of the solitary population wave (SPW), which is a necessary condition for successful biological control of the invasive weed. Recent investigations confirm the long-term efficiency of acclimation of the common ragweed phytophages in the South of Russia. The disappearance of a huge phytomass of the common ragweed in the fields, an abrupt drop in the seed density in the soil, reduction of the infestation areas, and absence of large and dense weed patches in satellite images testify to the fact that the goal of phytophage introduction, i.e., suppression of the common ragweed in agrophytocenoses, has been met. The tasks of the next phase of ragweed suppression are discussed in view of the role of the common ragweed as a synanthropic allergic agent and a ruderal plant growing in anthropogenically transformed territories.

Host plant population density and distribution pattern as factors limiting geographic distribution of the ragweed leaf beetle Zygogramma suturalis F. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Field sampling conducted in 2005–2007 in Voronezh and Rostov provinces and in Stavropol and Krasnodar territories (south-west of European Russia) suggested that the climatic effect on geographic distribution of the ragweed leaf beetle, Zygogramma suturalis is mediated by the abundance of its host plant, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. At the periphery of the common ragweed invasion area Z. suturalis was absent or its population density was below the detection threshold. A pivotal role was played by the sufficient percentage of small but relatively stable plots with high ragweed population density, rather than by the mean rate of the ragweed infestation. Inside the geographic range of the ragweed leaf beetle all relatively stable habitats were infested by A. artemisiifolia and in more than half of plots inspected, common ragweed percent cover was higher than 5%. In regions where such infestation was recorded on less than 20% of the plots studied, Z. suturalis was absent, most likely due to its low ability for long-range search for a host plant.

Release and Establishment of Zygogramma suturalis F (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Croatia for Control of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an important weed in some parts of Europe. After determining that native natural enemies in Croatia had little influence on controlling this weed, we introduced the beetle Zygogramma suturalis F. from the United States and obtained data on its biology and ecology. We released the beetle in the held at three sites near Bjelovar, Zagreb, and Zadar beginning in 1985. Establishment was confirmed at the Zagreb and Zadar sites from releases made in 1988, but field populations of the beetle remained low through the fall of 1991.

Influence of target plant density on herbivorous insect oviposition choice:Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL. (Asteraceae) andZygogramma suturalisF. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Zygogramma suturalis F. has been introduced to Russia for the biological control of the common ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. The functional response of Z. suturalis to the density of the target plant was studied at two levels: between plants and between 0.1 m2 sampling plots. The number of Z. suturalis eggs per unit of plant weight was almost independent of plant weight, indicating that a functional response between plants is absent. However, tall and intermediate height plants received more eggs per phytomass unit than short plants. Between plots, correlation analysis showed that absolute Z. suturalis egg density is positively dependent on the ragweed density. Experiments showed that the locomotor activity of ovipositing females decreased when on the ragweed, suggesting orthokinesis. The number of leaf beetle eggs per unit of ragweed weight was negatively correlated with host plant density in May‐June, when the majority of eggs are laid, but was positively correlated in July and loosely, or not sign...

The chemical defence of Doryphorina beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The defensive secretions of adults of eight species of Doryphorina beetles have been analyzed. Four Leptinotarsa one Labidomera species ( L. trimaculata) produce amino acid derivatives, whereas two Calligrapha species produce cardiac glycosides. On the other hand, Zygogramma suturalis is so far unique in simultaneously producing cardiac glycosides and amino acid derivatives. The secretions of all species studied contain ethanolamine. Besides seven known compounds, (3Z)-2- aminohexa-3,5-dienoic acid and four new cardiac glycosides have been isolated and their structures determined by spectroscopic methods. The implications of these results for the taxonomy of the Chrysomelini are discussed, as well as the evolution of chemical defences in this group of beetles.

The effects of feeding damage in ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae) on populations of Zygogramma suturalis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Field sampling indicated that the number of eggs laid by a Zygogramma suturalis female within a sampling plot correlated inversely with the mean degree of ragweed damage. Feeding on extensively damaged ragweed in the laboratory caused a drop in oviposition intensity, and a considerable proportion of females completely stopped oviposition. Feeding on slightly damaged ragweed had no significant effect on oviposition intensity. Ovipositing females preferred to feed on the intact ragweed and lay their eggs close to it. The locomotory activity of ovipositing females was significantly higher on highly damaged ragweed whereas non-ovipositing (diapausing) females and males were behaviourally indifferent to the extent of ragweed damage. Under natural conditions, ovipositing females more frequently left damaged host plants for less damaged one. If the degree of ragweed damage is high over a large area, the insects that were unable to find undamaged plants for several days oviposited less and some females entered diapause. The adaptive effect of these reactions is a decrease of population density in advance, before it might drop as a result of starvation. These results are in agreement with the second model of insect reaction to the damage-induced changes in a host plant (Edwards and Wratten 1987).

Peculiarities of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) strategy

The strategy of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemissifolia L.) hhas been analysed by comparing its position in five phytocenoses of the steppe zone of the Ukraine: weedy-fallow, agrocenoses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), perennial grass mixture (Bromus inermis +Medicago sativa+Onobrychis viciifolia) and a pasture community. Data were processed by direct gradient analysis along the axis of the foliar cover of common ragweed. An experiment was conducted in a freshly ploughed abandoned field with and without the manual removal of the common ragweed seedlings. Such removal imitated seedling extermination by the ragweed leaf beetle (Zygogramma suturalis F.), Coleoptera, Chryzomelidae). The influence of common ragweed on the rate of progressive abandoned field succession was studied. If the folia cover of common ragweed is high ( ⪰30%), then its suppresses the local weed species in annual crop and weedy-fallow communities. Common ragweed is suppressed by perennial grasses in a perennial grass mixture and in pasture communities. Common ragweed strongly inhibits progressive succession by suppressing both annual and perennial species, and thus decreasing the species diversity of communities. Thus, during spontaneous introduction under the break of consortive relations, a peculiar ‘drift’ of common ragweed from the R-strategy towards the K-strategy occurs. Adventization of communities under anthropogenic action may be decreased by limiting introduction from other regions. Conversely, phytocenotic control of ragweed numbers by creating artificial phytocenoses of perennial grasses is appropriate for areas of adventitious species distribution. Reintroduction of local natural species, as well as increasing the number of reserves for the preservation of groups of these plants, are also expedient for increasing the buffer properties of anthropogenically controlled landscapes.