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Implementation of Biological Control of Tropical Soda Apple. Julio Medal 1 , Bill Overholt 1 , Nikary Bustamante 1 , Rodrigo Díaz 1 , Philip Stansly 1 , Amy Roda 2 , Divina Amalin 2 Richard Gaskalla 3 , Ken Hibbard 3 , Brent Sellers 1 , Stephen Hight 4 , & James Cuda 1
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Implementation of Biological Control of Tropical Soda Apple Julio Medal1, Bill Overholt1, Nikary Bustamante1, Rodrigo Díaz1, Philip Stansly1, Amy Roda2, Divina Amalin2 Richard Gaskalla3, Ken Hibbard3, Brent Sellers1, Stephen Hight4, & James Cuda1 1University of Florida 2USDA-APHIS 3FDACS-DPI 4USDA-ARS
Tropical Soda Apple, Solanum viarum (Family: Solanaceae) -Native to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay) -First found in Florida in 1988 ->1 million acres in 11 states
Osceola County Hendry County Brazil Argentina
Gratiana boliviana Adult Egg Larva Pupa
Okeechobee County June 02, 2005Beetles Released July 7, 2005After Beetles Released August 23, 2007 After Beetles Released
Polk County May 2003 June 2007
Sumter County August 15, 2005Before Beetles Released August 14, 2007After BeetlesReleased
Sumter County June 2006 June 2007
Okeechobee County May 18, 2006Beetles Released August 23, 2007After Beetles Released
Post Release Evaluations in Florida -Monitoring -Mark plants and quadrants at each location -Changes in the target weed and Biocontrol agent recorded
Additional Biocontrol AgentsMetriona elatior Adult Eggs Larva
Additional Biocontrol AgentsGratiana graminea Adult Egg Larva Pupa
Open Field Experiment in Brazil with Platyphora sp. (Family: Chrysomelidae) Platyphora sp. TSA, eggplant, potato,pepper, tomato
Plans For 2008 • Increase Beetle Production • Additional Field Releases • Continue Post-Release Evaluations • Conclude Field-Tests in Brazil with an additional Agent (Platyphora sp.)