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Initial test of a semiartificial diet for the thistle biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa

journal contribution
posted on 2023-07-27, 04:24 authored by Mike CrippsMike Cripps, Jonty Mills, Laura VillamizarLaura Villamizar, Chikako van KotenChikako van Koten

The thistle biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa is established in New Zealand, but often not sufficiently abundant to achieve control of the weed, Cirsium arvense (Californian thistle). Mass production of the beetle could enhance biocontrol efforts through supplemental and inundative releases. We carried out an initial test of a semiartificial diet (containing host plant material) designed for laboratory mass production of the beetle. Larval survival rates were tested on diets with three different concentrations of preservatives (full, half, and no preservative), and compared to a positive control (leaf disc of Cirsium arvense), and a negative control (water). Only larvae on the leaf disc developed to the adult stage. Of the diets, the longest survival time was on the full preservative diet, with a mean mortality time of 8.8 ± 0.6 days, and a maximum survival time of 21 days. Although no larvae completed development on the diets, some important progress was achieved: (1) Neonate larvae were mobile on the diet; (2) larvae fed on the diet; and (3) there was adequate control of microbial contamination without being acutely toxic to the larvae. Further development of a diet for Cassida rubiginosa should focus on nutritional components for larval development.

Funding

SSIF Programmes AgResearch

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

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History

Rights statement

©2022 New Zealand Plant Protection Society (Inc.)

Publication date

2022-07-14

Project number

  • PRJ0530658

Language

  • English

Does this contain Māori information or data?

  • No

Publisher

New Zealand Plant Protection Society

Journal title

New Zealand Plant Protection

ISSN

1175-9003

Volume/issue number

75

Page numbers

25-30

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