Bromeliad-eating Weevils as Pests of Bromeliads

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1 Bromeliad-eating Weevils as Pests of Bromeliads Teresa M. Cooper 1, Ronald D. Cave 1, and J. Howard Frank 2 1 Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Ft. Pierce, FL, USA 2 Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

2 Bromeliads. Order: Bromeliales Family: Bromeliaceae 3 subfamilies: Pitcairnioideae Bromelioideae Tillandsioideae Arose 65 million years ago. Neotropical distribution. One species on the West coast of Africa.

3 Importance of Bromeliads. Adapted to harsh environments Slow-growing, rosette form. Importance: Habitat. Phytotelmata. Water source. Nutrient cycle. Food source. Humans (pineapple). Bromeliad-eating weevils.

4 Bromeliad-eating weevils eat bromeliads. Bromeliad-eating weevils are specialist herbivores of bromeliads. The larval stage mines the stems, inflorescences, or fruits of bromeliads

5 Bromeliad-eating weevils. 10 known genera and 42 known species. Cactophagus, Metamasius, Paradiaphorus, Baris, Bromogeraeus, Diastethus, Gravatageraeus, Melampius, Cholus, Parisoschoenus. Neotropical distribution.

6 How destructive are bromeliad-eating weevils? Bromeliad-eating weevils are not destructive to bromeliad populations in their homeland. Bromeliad-eating weevils can become a pest on: Pineapple plants. Ornamental bromeliads. Wild bromeliad populations in new lands.

7 Bromeliad-eating weevils: Pests of pineapple plants. Cultivated pineapples have been infested by bromeliad-eating weevils in South and Central America, the West Indies, and Indonesia. Six species have been found attacking pineapple. They are: Cactophagus miniatopunctatus Metamasius callizona Metamasius dimidiatipennis Metamasius ritchiei Cholus spinipes Cholus vaurieae Infestations happen in monocultures and in fields that are abandoned and/or located on the edge of disturbed habitat.

8 Metamasius callizona: A destructive bromeliad-eating weevil. From Mexico and Guatemala. Invasive in Florida on native bromeliad populations.

9 Metamasius callizona: A destructive bromeliad-eating weevil. Particularly destructive to Tillandsia utriculata and Tillandsia fasciculata.

10 Metamasius callizona: A destructive bromeliad-eating weevil.

11 Metamasius callizona: A destructive bromeliad-eating weevil. Twenty-one native species, consisting of 12 bromeliads and at least 9 (perhaps 19) invertebrates are at risk of extinction in Florida at least 6 of them (1 bromeliad and 5 invertebrates) seem to be precinctive. Frank and Fish 2008 Tillandsia simulata

12 Bromeliad-eating weevils: Pests of ornamental bromeliads. Way for bromeliad-eating weevils to immigrate. Infestations have been found in shade houses and greenhouses in South and Central America and in Florida. Metamasius callizona arrived in Florida hitch-hiking on ornamental bromeliads. Three species have been found at US ports of entry on shipments of ornamental bromeliads. They are: Metamasius callizona Metamasius quadrilineatus Metamasius sellatus

13 Biological control versus chemical control. Chemical control is possible for pineapple and ornamental growers, but is not possible for controlling an established, invasive bromeliad-eating weevil on native, wild bromeliad populations.

14 Lixadmontia franki: A parasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils. Only one parasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils is known. It is a tachinid fly, Lixadmontia franki. The fly is a biological control agent for Metamasius callizona. Lixadmontia franki is native to Honduras.

15 Biological control program to control Metamasius callizona. = Lixadmontia franki is being reared and studied at the Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory at UF-IRREC in Ft. Pierce. More than 3,000 flies at 8 sites have been released in Florida to control the weevil. So far, only one recovery of the fly has been made, after the first release in June We are continuing to do fly releases and to study the fly.

16 Other parasitoids of bromeliad-eating weevils. Searches for parasitoids of bromeliad-eating weevils have been made in: Mexico Belize Guatemala Honduras Panama Peru Paraguay Florida, USA No other parasitoids have been found.

17 When and where might problems arise? Bromeliad-eating weevils as a problem. When a bromeliad-eating weevil immigrates to a new land and becomes established on wild bromeliad populations not adapted to that species of weevil. Anywhere bromeliad populations grow naturally. Bromeliad distribution. Weevil distribution.

18 Bromeliad-eating weevils as a problem. When and where might problems arise? Where pineapples are cultivated. World production: 25% total production of tropical fruits. Major producers: Brazil, Thailand, Philippines, Costa Rica. Major exporters: Thailand, Costa Rica, Indonesia. Major importers: USA, Europe, Japan. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Historically grown in Florida and Hawaii. Where ornamental bromeliads are grown. Growers of ornamental bromeliads and pineapple growers can control the weevil with chemical control and other agricultural practices.

19 How and where are bromeliad-eating weevils a problem? With the continued movement of ornamental bromeliads between countries and the difficult task of inspecting plants at borders, the potential exists for the movement and establishment of pest bromeliad-eating weevils on indigenous bromeliad populations or on cultivated pineapple plantations and ornamental bromeliads.

20 How can you help? Do not collect or move wild bromeliads. Monitor ornamental bromeliads closely, especially after buying new plants or before moving plants. If you find weevils in bromeliads or weevil-like damage on ornamental bromeliads or wild bromeliads, contact me at:

21 Bromeliad Biota: Save the Bromeliads: More information.