摘要
Eupatorium adenophorum is a noxious invasive weed that is distributed throughout subtropical areas worldwide.Enemy release may be at least one of the reasons underlying its success as an invader.In this study,we observed damage to the epidermis,cortex,phloem,cambium,and xylem tissues of roots and stems around the root collar of E.adenophorum growing in an experimental field in Yunnan Province,southwest China.The damage was caused by Dorylus orientalis,a polyphagous ant feeding on the weed and resulted in the death of the plants by interrupting nutrient exchange between shoots and roots.This ant showed selectivity for the invader to some extent.The finding of D.orientalis and other native enemies indicate that E.adenophorum may gradually naturalize in introduced landscapes.In addition,this ant may have potential for use as a biocontrol agent against the invader.
Eupatorium adenophorum is a noxious invasive weed that is distributed throughout subtropical areas worldwide. Enemy release may be at least one of the reasons underlying its success as an invader. In this study, we observed damage to the epidermis, cortex, phloem, cambium, and xylem tissues of roots and stems around the root collar of E. adenophorum growing in an experimental field in Yunnan Province, southwest China. The damage was caused by Dorylus orientalis, a polyphagous ant feeding on the weed and resulted in the death of the plants by interrupting nutrient exchange between shoots and roots. This ant showed selectiv- ity for the invader to some extent. The finding of D. orientalis and other native enemies indicate that E. adenophorum may gradually naturalize in introduced landscapes. In addition, this ant may have potential for use as a biocontrol agent against the invader.
基金
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30830027 and 30670394)
Applied Basic Study Project of Yunnan Province(2007C107M)
the National Key Project of Scientific and Technical Supporting Programs(2006BAD08A17)
关键词
紫茎泽兰
入侵者
天敌
移动
东方
外来杂草
亚热带地区
生物防治剂
biological control, Dorylus orientalis, Eupatorium adenophorum, invasive alien plant, native enemy
