Hugenholtz, Christopher

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Plant-insect interactions between yellow toadflax, Linaria vulgaris, and a potential biocontrol agent, the gall-forming weevil, Rhinusa pilosa
(Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Department of Biological Sciences, c2011, 2011) Barnewall, Emily C.; University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science; De Clerck-Floate, Rosemarie; Goater, Cameron P.
Yellow toadflax, Linaria vulgaris (L.) Mill. (Plantaginaceae), is a non-native invasive plant. Rhinusa pilosa Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a proposed biocontrol agent. Gall development by R. pilosa was described using histological methods and compared between plant populations from native and introduced ranges. Key stages of oviposition were isolated histologically to determine their importance in gall induction. Rhinusa pilosa galled and developed on four geographically distinct Canadian populations in a pre-release quarantine study. Low agent densities only negatively affected one population. High densities of R. pilosa reduced potential reproductive output and plant biomass. Conducting detailed investigations into the biology, impact, and development of R. pilosa on populations from invasive and native ranges may help predict the efficacy of R. pilosa in the field if approved for release and.goes beyond current pre-release testing requirements.