The Biological Control of Alligatorweed

Abstract

Alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides, an aquatic amaranth introduced into the United States from South America around the turn of the century, has become a noxious aquatic weed over the past 40 years. Three insects appeared suitable for introduction into the United States as biological control agents of alligatorweed. These insects are: (1) Agasicles hygrophila, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), now commonly known as the 'alligatorweed flea beetle'; (2) Amynothrips andersoni (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), the 'alligatorweed thrips'; and (3) V. malloi, the so-called 'alligatorweed stem- borer'. A general discussion of the biology, feeding behavior, and resulting plant damage of these insects is given. Portions of this document are not fully legible.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA011346

Entities

People

  • Jack R. Coulson
  • Neal R. Spencer

Organizations

  • Agricultural Research Service

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alligator Weed
  • Aquatic Plants
  • Aquatic Weeds
  • Army Corps Of Engineers
  • California
  • Entomology
  • Habitats
  • Herbicides
  • Insects
  • Lepidoptera
  • Public Health
  • South America
  • South Carolina
  • United States
  • Weed Control
  • Weeds
  • Wildlife

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Urban Planning and Geography.