Herbivore-induced-plant-volatiles

Guides

• Diorhabda carinulata

  Northern Tamarisk Beetle, Saltcedar Beetle, Saltcedar Leaf Beetle, Tamarisk Leaf Beetle

  Diorhabda carinulata is a leaf beetle native to Central Asia, introduced to North America as a classical biological control agent for invasive saltcedar (Tamarix spp.). Adults and larvae feed exclusively on Tamarix foliage, causing defoliation that can reduce tamarisk biomass by 75–85% over multiple years. The species has established successfully in the western United States, with populations evolving shorter critical day lengths for diapause induction that enable range expansion. Its introduction has generated conservation concerns due to impacts on nesting habitat for the federally endangered southwestern willow flycatcher.

  biological-controlinvasive-species-managementChrysomelidaeTamarixsaltcedarleaf-beetleherbivore-induced-plant-volatilesaggregation-pheromonediapause-evolutionconservation-conflictclassical-biological-controlweed-biocontrolriparian-ecologypost-release-evolutionhost-specificity

• Nemorilla

  Nemorilla is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Rondani in 1856. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented hosts including the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) and the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis). At least one species, N. maculosa, has been studied for its use of herbivore-induced plant volatiles to locate hosts. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across multiple continents.

  Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlLepidoptera-parasitoidherbivore-induced-plant-volatilesagricultural-entomology