Field Assessment of the Host Range of <i>Aculus mosoniensis</i> (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (<i>Ailanthus altissima</i>)
Francesca Marini,
Erica Profeta,
Biljana Vidović,
Radmila Petanović,
Enrico de Lillo,
Philip Weyl,
Hariet L. Hinz,
Chandra E. Moffat,
Marie-Claude Bon,
Tatjana Cvrković,
Javid Kashefi,
René F. H. Sforza,
Massimo Cristofaro
Affiliations
Francesca Marini
Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA) Onlus, Via Angelo Signorelli 105, 00123 Rome, Italy
Erica Profeta
Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA) Onlus, Via Angelo Signorelli 105, 00123 Rome, Italy
Biljana Vidović
Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
Radmila Petanović
Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
Enrico de Lillo
Department of Plant, Soil and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola, 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
Philip Weyl
CABI, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland
Hariet L. Hinz
CABI, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland
Chandra E. Moffat
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland Research and Development Centre, Summerland, 4200 BC-97, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0, Canada
Marie-Claude Bon
European Biological Control Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34980 Montferri-er-sur-Lez, France
Tatjana Cvrković
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Department of Plant Pests, Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics and Laboratory for Applied Entomology, Banatska 33, 11080 Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
Javid Kashefi
European Biological Control Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34980 Montferri-er-sur-Lez, France
René F. H. Sforza
European Biological Control Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34980 Montferri-er-sur-Lez, France
Massimo Cristofaro
Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency (BBCA) Onlus, Via Angelo Signorelli 105, 00123 Rome, Italy
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.