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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机译:Egeria densa(Hydrocharitaceae)是一种来自南美洲的沉水大型植物,在几个国家是一种杂草。它排挤了本地植物并阻碍了用水,造成经济和环境破坏。潜叶蝇 Hydrellia sp. 1(双翅目:Ephydridae)被发现在阿根廷分布期间以 E. densa 为食,是目前唯一已知的 E. densa 专业食草动物。它在实验室中饲养,并在 25 种植物上进行了测试。这种食草动物可以在实验室和野外造成大量落叶。Hydrellia sp. 1 仅在 E. densa 上发现,但在实验室中,它也在同一科的另外两个 Hydrocharitaceae 物种上发育;Egeria naias 和 Elodea callitrichoides。仅在其主要自然宿主上观察到显着的产卵和摄食,而在 E. naias 上观察到的产卵和摄食程度较小。田间研究表明,Hydrellia sp. 1 常年存在于田间,除非寄主植物长时间匍匐或被漂浮的大型植物覆盖。这些结果表明,Hydrellia sp. 1 可能是 E. densa 的合适生物防治候选者。
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