Host range of the leaf-tier Tentamen atrivirgulatum Metz (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae); an unsuitable candidate for biological control of Brazilian peppertree

ABSTRACT

The life history and host range of the South American leaf-tier Tentamen atrivirgulatum Metz, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was evaluated to determine its suitability for classical biological control of invasive Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia, in the USA. Larvae were collected during a survey in the native range of Brazil feeding on Brazilian peppertree. A quarantine colony was established and no-choice tests were conducted to determine the host range of this species. The results of these tests indicated that the larvae fed and completed development on seven of the eleven non-target species tested. Percent survival on these non-targets ranged from 20% to 100%. Larval survival was 50% when fed the target weed Brazilian peppertree. When larvae were fed leaves of these non-targets, pupal weights were significantly lower only for those fed Pistacia chinensis. Development time to the pupal and adult stages did not differ with larval diet. These no-choice results indicate T. atrivirgulatum larvae have a broad host range and thus this species will not be developed as a biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree in the USA.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological control of weeds
• Schinus terebinthifolia
• Anacardiaceae
• Gelechiini
• invasive weeds

Acknowledgements

We thank Karina Montenegro and Elizabeth Wu for help with colony maintenance and data collection and Wirley Pierre for test plant maintenance (USDA/ARS/IPRL). Specimens of Tentamen atrivirgulatum were deposited at the U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. DNA sequences are stored at GenBank: accession numbers MK840784, MK840785, MK840786, MK840787. Insect collections and exportations were authorised by Instituto Brasiliero do Meio Ambiente (Permit No.14BR004731/DF). The importation permit to the U.S.A. was issued by USDA/APHIS to G.W. (Permit No. P526P-07-06609). Partial funding for this research was generously provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA; USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

G. S. Wheeler http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0691-7907

M. A. Metz http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3535-535X

Additional information

Funding

Partial funding for this research was generously provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.