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Biology and ecology of Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) and its specific herbivore, Hydrellia sp., in Argentina

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Abstract

Egeria densa (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged macrophyte from South America that is a weed in several countries. It crowds out native plants and hinders water use, causing economic and environmental damage. The leafminer fly Hydrellia sp. 1 (Diptera: Ephydridae), was found feeding in E. densa throughout its Argentine distribution, and is currently the only known specialist herbivore of E. densa. It was reared in the laboratory and tested on 25 plant species. This herbivore can cause heavy defoliation in the laboratory and in the field. Hydrellia sp. 1 was found only on E. densa, but in the laboratory it also developed on two other Hydrocharitaceae species in the same family; Egeria naias, and Elodea callitrichoides. Significant oviposition and feeding were only observed on its primary natural host, and to a lesser degree on E. naias. Field studies indicate Hydrellia sp. 1 is present in the field year round, unless the host plant is prostrate for long periods, or covered by floating macrophytes. These results indicate Hydrellia sp. 1 may be a suitable biocontrol candidate for E. densa.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Wayne Mathis for important data on Ephydridae in general, and ours in particular; Sebastián Pelizza, Norma Díaz, Robert Kula, Fabiana Gallardo, Juan José Martínez and Ana Gaddi for taxonomic work on the Hydrellia sp. 1 natural enemies. We would also like to thank Michael Grodowitz, Julie Coetzee, and two anonymous reviewers for many useful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Y. Magalí Dalto

    Present address: Lab. de Microbiología y Biotecnología, CNEA, Centro Atómico Ezeiza, Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, Argentina

  2. Federico M. Mattioli

    Present address: Monsanto S.A.I.C., Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. (Formerly USDA/ARS/South American Biological Control Laboratory), Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas (FUEDEI), Bolívar 1559, B1686EFA, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. Cabrera Walsh, Y. Magalí Dalto & Federico M. Mattioli

  2. USDA-ARS-EIWRU (Exotic and Invasive Weed Research Unit), Albany, CA, USA

    Raymond I. Carruthers

  3. USDA-ARS-EIWRU, Davis, CA, USA

    Lars W. Anderson

Authors
  1. G. Cabrera Walsh
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  4. Raymond I. Carruthers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Cabrera Walsh.

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Handling Editor: Eric Wajnberg

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Cabrera Walsh, G., Magalí Dalto, Y., Mattioli, F.M. et al. Biology and ecology of Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) and its specific herbivore, Hydrellia sp., in Argentina. BioControl 58, 133–147 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9475-x

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