Title
Diversity and impact of herbivorous insects on Brazilian peppertree in Florida prior to release of exotic biological control agents
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-3-2017
Abstract
© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is a South American plant that is highly invasive in Florida. The impact of insect herbivores on the performance of Brazilian peppertree was evaluated at two locations in Florida using an insecticide exclusion method. Although 38 species of insect herbivores were collected on the invasive tree, there were no differences in growth or reproductive output of insecticide protected and unprotected trees, providing evidence that insect feeding had no measurable impact on tree performance. The majority of insects collected on Brazilian peppertree were generalists, and several were serious agricultural pests.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Biocontrol Science and Technology
First Page
703
Last Page
722
Recommended Citation
Bhattarai, G., Diaz, R., Manrique, V., Turechek, W., Buss, L., Stange, B., & Overholt, W. (2017). Diversity and impact of herbivorous insects on Brazilian peppertree in Florida prior to release of exotic biological control agents. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 27 (6), 703-722. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2017.1329929