Trichosirocalus horridus

Trichosirocalus horridus is a species of true weevil, native to Europe. It is a biological pest control agent that was introduced into the United States in 1974 to control exotic thistles, especially in the Cirsium and Carduus genera.[2][3]

Trichosirocalus horridus
Scientific classification
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T. horridus
Binomial name
Trichosirocalus horridus
(Panzer, 1801) [1]

Life history edit

T. horridus feeds on the rosettes of thistles, with the larvae causing most damage to the plant.

Nontarget impacts edit

In 2004, T. horridus was observed feeding on the native thistle Cirsium altissimum L. in Nebraska.[4] The weevil was observed on the native thistle at about the same rate as the targeted invasive thistle (Cirsium vulgare).[4] T. horridus has also been observed feeding on 5 native Cirsium species in Tennessee.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Trichosirocalus horridus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. ^ "Ward, R. H., R. L. Pienkowski, and L. T. Kok. 1 December 1974. Host Specificity of the First-Instar of Ceuthorhynchidius horridus a Weevil for Biological Control of Thistles. Journal of Economic Entomology. 67: 735-737". doi:10.1093/jee/67.6.735. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Kok, L. T. 1975. Host specificity studies on Ceuthorhynchidius horridus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the biocontrol of Musk and Plumeless thistles. Weed Res. 15: 21-25". doi:10.1111/j.1365-3180.1975.tb01091.x. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b Masaru Takahashi; Svata M. Louda; Tom E. X. Miller & Charles W. O’Briens (2009). "Occurrence of Trichosirocalus horridus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Native Cirsium altissimum Versus Exotic C. vulgare in North American Tallgrass Prairie" (PDF). Environmental Entomology. 38 (3). Environ. Entomol. 38(3): 731-740 (2009): 731–740. doi:10.1603/022.038.0325. PMID 19508782. S2CID 55487.
  5. ^ Gregory J. Wiggins; Jerome F. Grant; Paris L. Lambdin; Jack W. Ranney; John B. Wilkerson (2009). "First documentation of adult Trichosirocalus horridus on several non-target native Cirsium species in Tennessee". Biocontrol Science and Technology. 19 (9). Biocontrol Science and Technology, Volume 19, Issue 9 October 2009 , pages 993 - 998: 993–998. Bibcode:2009BioST..19..993W. doi:10.1080/09583150903191343. S2CID 85089816.

Further reading edit

  • Coombs, Eric M. (2004). Coombs, E. M., et al., Eds. (2004). Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 365. Oregon State University Press. ISBN 978-0870710292.