Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Authors
Marini, FrancescaProfeta, Erica
Vidović, Biljana
Petanović, Radmila
de Lillo, Enrico
Weyl, Philip
Hinz, Hariet
Moffat, Chandra
Bon, Marie-Claude
Cvrković, Tatjana

Kashefi, Javid
Sforza, Rene
Cristofaro, Massimo
Article (Published version)
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Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Signifi...cantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven.
Keywords:
Aculus mosoniensis / Ailanthus altissima / Biological control / Eriophyid mite / Host range / Invasive species / Tree of heavenSource:
Insects, 2021, 12, 7, 637-Publisher:
- MDPI Basel
DOI: 10.3390/insects12070637
ISSN: 2075-4450
WoS: 000676683000001
Scopus: 2-s2.0-85111267824
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IZBISTY - JOUR AU - Marini, Francesca AU - Profeta, Erica AU - Vidović, Biljana AU - Petanović, Radmila AU - de Lillo, Enrico AU - Weyl, Philip AU - Hinz, Hariet AU - Moffat, Chandra AU - Bon, Marie-Claude AU - Cvrković, Tatjana AU - Kashefi, Javid AU - Sforza, Rene AU - Cristofaro, Massimo PY - 2021 UR - https://plantarum.izbis.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/722 AB - Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Significantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven. PB - MDPI Basel T2 - Insects T1 - Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) IS - 7 SP - 637 VL - 12 DO - 10.3390/insects12070637 ER -
@article{ author = "Marini, Francesca and Profeta, Erica and Vidović, Biljana and Petanović, Radmila and de Lillo, Enrico and Weyl, Philip and Hinz, Hariet and Moffat, Chandra and Bon, Marie-Claude and Cvrković, Tatjana and Kashefi, Javid and Sforza, Rene and Cristofaro, Massimo", year = "2021", abstract = "Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Significantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven.", publisher = "MDPI Basel", journal = "Insects", title = "Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)", number = "7", pages = "637", volume = "12", doi = "10.3390/insects12070637" }
Marini, F., Profeta, E., Vidović, B., Petanović, R., de Lillo, E., Weyl, P., Hinz, H., Moffat, C., Bon, M., Cvrković, T., Kashefi, J., Sforza, R.,& Cristofaro, M.. (2021). Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in Insects MDPI Basel., 12(7), 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070637
Marini F, Profeta E, Vidović B, Petanović R, de Lillo E, Weyl P, Hinz H, Moffat C, Bon M, Cvrković T, Kashefi J, Sforza R, Cristofaro M. Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in Insects. 2021;12(7):637. doi:10.3390/insects12070637 .
Marini, Francesca, Profeta, Erica, Vidović, Biljana, Petanović, Radmila, de Lillo, Enrico, Weyl, Philip, Hinz, Hariet, Moffat, Chandra, Bon, Marie-Claude, Cvrković, Tatjana, Kashefi, Javid, Sforza, Rene, Cristofaro, Massimo, "Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)" in Insects, 12, no. 7 (2021):637, https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070637 . .