Effects of Tetranychus lintearius (Acari : Tetranychidae) on the structure and water potential in the foliage of the invasive Ulex europaeus (Fabaceae) in Australia
- Authors: Marriott, Jeremy , Florentine, Singarayer , Raman, Anantanarayanan
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Acarology Vol. 39, no. 4 (2013), p. 275-284
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- Description: Ulex europaeus, a native of Western Europe and the Mediterranean coast, is a serious agricultural and environmental weed in many parts of the earth, including Australia. Tetranychus lintearius attacks U. europaeus in its natural range and is one of the four biological control agents introduced into Australia to regulate populations of U. europaeus. Tetranychus lintearius is specific to different species of Ulex, which enhances its status as a key biological control agent. Little is known on the physiological effects and structural changes induced by T. lintearius on U. europaeus. This article describes anatomical changes and evaluates the physiological effects in U. europaeus consequent to feeding by T. lintearius for more than 100 d. This study demonstrates that feeding by T. lintearius reduces the quantity of photosynthetic tissue in U. europaeus, as a result of feeding on mesophyll parenchyma by inserting its stylets through the stomatal aperture. Unfed parenchyma cells display signs of stress, either exhibiting deformed cell organelles aligned along the walls of vacant cells or with cells with no well-defined cell organelles. Subsequent to T. lintearius feeding, leaves externally manifest bleaching. After feeding by a population of T. lintearius, leaf water potential is decreased by 30% and tender shoots lose their turgor, indicating water-related stress. Tetranychus lintearius has the potential to decelerate vigour and retard the competitiveness of U. europaeus by inflicting stress. Our findings reinforce the use of T. lintearius in the biological management of populations of U. europaeus in temperate Australia.
Metabolite mobilization in the stem galls of Parthenium hysterophorus induced by Epiblema strenuana inferred from the signatures of isotopic carbon and nitrogen and concentrations of total non-structural carbohydrates
- Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Raman, Anantanarayanan , Dhileepan, Kunjithapatham , Madhaven, S.
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata Vol. 119, no. (2006), p. 101-107
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- Description: Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is a weed of national significance in Australia. Among the several arthropod agents introduced into Australia to control populations of P. hysterophorus biologically, Epiblema strenuana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is the most widespread and abundant agent. By intercepting the normal transport mechanisms of P. hysterophorus, the larvae of E. strenuana drain nutrients, other metabolic products, and energy, and place the host plant under intense metabolic stress. In this study, determinations of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) levels and carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of fixed products in different parts of the plant tissue, including the gall, have been made to establish the function of gall as a sink for the nutrients Values of
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001571
Effects of gall induction by Epiblema strenuana on gas exchange, nutrients, and energetics in Parthenium hysterophorus
- Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Raman, Anantanarayanan , Dhileepan, Kunjithapatham
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biocontrol Vol. 50, no. 5 (Oct 2005), p. 787-801
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- Description: Gall induction by arthropods results in a range of morphological and physiological changes in their host plants. We examined changes in gas exchange, nutrients, and energetics related to the presence of stem galls on Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) induced by the moth, Epiblema strenuana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We compared the effects of galls on P. hysterophorus in the rosette (young), pre-flowering (mature), and flowering (old) stages. Gall induction reduced the leaf-water potential, especially in flowering stage plants. In young and mature stage plants, galling reduced photosynthetic rates considerably. Gall induction reduced the transpiration rate mostly in mature plants, and this also diminished stomatal conductance. Energy levels in most galls and in shoot tissue immediately below the galls were significantly higher than the energy levels in stem tissue immediately above the galls, indicating that the gall acts as a mobilizing sink for the moth. Galling had significant effects on concentrations of minerals such as boron, chloride, magnesium, and zinc. In galled plants, reduced leaf-water potential and reduced rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance may have altered mineral element levels. These observed effects demonstrate that E. strenuana has the potential to regulate P. hysterophorus.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001078
Efficiency of gall-inducing insects in the biological control of parthenium weed : Structural, metabolic and physiological changes
- Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Raman, Anantanarayanan , Dhileepan, Kunjithapatham
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Antenna Vol. 25, no. (2001), p. 47-52
- Full Text: false
- Description: 2003004181
Gall-inducing insects and biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae)
- Authors: Florentine, Singarayer , Raman, Anantanarayanan , Dhileepan, Kunjithapatham
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Plant Protection Quarterly Vol. 16, no. 2 (2001), p. 63-68
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- Description: 2003004178