Chaetorellia succinea
Encyclopedia
Chaetorellia succinea is a species of tephritid fruit fly
that was accidentally released in 1991 into the United States had since become one of the major biological pest control
s against the noxious weed yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis).
It was not released intentionally for fears that it could become a pest of safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L. It was probably introduced from a shipment of yellow starthistle heads from Greece.
C. succinea has also been found to feed on two other introduced Centaurea species (Maltese starthistle, Centaurea melitensis
L.; Sicilian starthistle, Centaurea sulphurea
Willd.) and the native American starthistle (Centaurea americana
) Nutt.
C. succinea probably displaces another biocontrol fly, Chaetorellia australis
, where the two co-occur.
Tephritidae
Tephritidae is one of two fly families referred to as "fruit flies", the other family being Drosophilidae. Tephritidae does not include the biological model organisms of the genus Drosophila , which is often called the "common fruit fly". There are nearly 5,000 described species of tephritid...
that was accidentally released in 1991 into the United States had since become one of the major biological pest control
Biological pest control
Biological control of pests in agriculture is a method of controlling pests that relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms...
s against the noxious weed yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis).
It was not released intentionally for fears that it could become a pest of safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L. It was probably introduced from a shipment of yellow starthistle heads from Greece.
C. succinea has also been found to feed on two other introduced Centaurea species (Maltese starthistle, Centaurea melitensis
Centaurea melitensis
Centaurea melitensis is an annual plant of the Asteraceae, 1- 11 dm high, with resin-dotted leaves and spine-tipped phyllaries. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa...
L.; Sicilian starthistle, Centaurea sulphurea
Centaurea sulphurea
Centaurea sulphurea is a species of Centaurea. It is native to southwestern Europe and it is known on other continents as an introduced species and often a noxious weed...
Willd.) and the native American starthistle (Centaurea americana
Centaurea americana
Centaurea americana, commonly called American Starthistle or American Basketflower, is an annual native to the southern central United States and northeastern Mexico. Its common name comes from the underside of the inflorescence, which has a basket weave pattern on it and on the flowerbuds.The pink...
) Nutt.
C. succinea probably displaces another biocontrol fly, Chaetorellia australis
Chaetorellia australis
Chaetorellia australis is a species of tephritid fruit fly known as the yellow starthistle peacock fly. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed yellow starthistle ....
, where the two co-occur.