Results of Acclimatization of the Insects Feeding on Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) in Krasnodar Territory

摘要

The phenology of the ragweed leaf beetle and the ragweed moth introduced in Krasnodar Territory is described. Data on the distribution, abundance, and efficiency of these insects fed on ragweed are reported. The wide distribution of ragweeds in the Old World, in view of their competition with cultured plants and being the cause of common allergic diseases, stimulated development of new methods of controlling these weeds. The biological method, based on introduction of specific ragweed phytophages from North America, has been researched since 1965 by O.V. Kovalev (Zoological Institute RAS, St. Petersburg). The species most promising for introduction were the ragweed leaf beetle Zygogramma sutura-lis F., the weevil Brachytarsus tomentosus Say, the ragweed moth Tarachidia candefacta Hubn., and the fruit fly Euaresta bella Loew, which were released by Kovalev in Northern Caucasus during 1970-1980s (Kovalev, 1989). These phytophages were introduced from Stavropol Territory into Krasnodar Territory by researchers of the Zoological Institute and Kuban State University; natural migrations were also observed. The aim of this work is to describe the distribution of the introduced species and their biology in Krasnodar Territory, and to determine their rolein ragweed population control.