Should the mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Heteroptera: Miridae), be considered for release against water hyacinth in the United States of America?

Authors

Julie A. Coetzee, University of the Witwatersrand
Marcus J. Byrne, University of the Witwatersrand
Martin P. Hill, Rhodes University
Ted D. Center, United States Department of Agriculture

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in Biocontrol Science and Technology, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2009, 103-111.

Abstract

Between one and seven biological control agents have been released against water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in at least 30 countries, with varied success. A mirid, Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) (Heteroptera: Miridae), the most recent agent released, is damaging to the plant on the African continent.