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Nontarget effects on crepe myrtle by Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis (Chrysomelidae), used for biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Shon S. Schooler ,
Eric M. Coombs  and
Peter B. McEvoy
Eric M. Coombs
Affiliation:
Plant Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, OR 97310
Peter B. McEvoy
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
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Abstract

Field experiments were used to assess how distance mediates the nontarget effect on crepe myrtle by two chrysomelid beetles that were introduced to the United States in 1992 for biological control of purple loosestrife. Previous laboratory tests in Germany and concurrent tests in Oregon showed that although the control organisms can feed on crepe myrtle, they cannot complete development. Therefore, we predicted that negative effects on crepe myrtle would decrease with distance from the purple loosestrife stand. To test this prediction, cohorts of both plant species were transplanted at increasing distances (0, 5, 15, 30, and 50 m) from the colonization source. We found that leaf damage inflicted by the beetles was negatively correlated with increasing distance. Damage was significantly lower at each distance for crepe myrtle plants than for purple loosestrife plants, with a mean difference of 22% and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 12 to 31%. Extensive defoliation of crepe myrtle was limited to within 30 m of the edge of the loosestrife stand. Plant yield was negatively correlated with damage: the closer plants were to the purple loosestrife stand, the greater the suppression of biomass in both plant species. However, loosestrife biomass decreased significantly more quickly than crepe myrtle biomass, with a mean difference in slopes of 0.035 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.022 to 0.048. Our results suggest that release of the Galerucella beetles in North America poses little risk to crepe myrtle. Beetles can feed but cannot complete their life cycle on crepe myrtle, and damage to crepe myrtle approaches zero approximately 50 m from the beetle colonization source.

Keywords

Crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica L. LAGINpurple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. LYTSAblack-margined loosestrife beetle, Galerucella calmariensis L.golden loosestrife beetle, Galerucella pusilla DuftschmidLeaf beetlewetlandnontarget effectfield testing of host specificitybiological control
Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 51 , Issue 3 , June 2003 , pp. 449 - 455
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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