Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive ...

Chapter 4: Spartina Control and Management<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Third</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Invasive Spartinachanges in intra-guild competition among sap-suckingspecies due to variations in plant resistance. Until <strong>the</strong> degree<strong>of</strong> niche overlap between Chaetopsis species is betterunderstood, this sort <strong>of</strong> interaction ought to be consideredpossible.Future studies should focus on ga<strong>the</strong>ring additionalinformation on <strong>the</strong> potential effectiveness <strong>of</strong> Chaetopsis spp.as biological control agents. A major component <strong>of</strong> thisresearch should seek to explain <strong>the</strong> variation in Chaetopsisinfestation rates in an attempt to understand what factors arelimiting <strong>the</strong> species where it is found at lower densities. Itwill be important to quantify <strong>the</strong> effect <strong>of</strong> Chaetopsisinfestation on <strong>the</strong> productivity <strong>of</strong> S. alterniflora genets andto learn which ecological traits distinguish C. aenea from C.apicalis. Lab rearing techniques using a modified protocolfrom Allen & Foote (1992) currently in development at <strong>the</strong>University <strong>of</strong> Rhode Island should aid future work.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis research was supported by <strong>the</strong> Coastal FellowsProgram and <strong>the</strong> Biological Control Laboratory at <strong>the</strong>University <strong>of</strong> Rhode Island.REFERENCESAllen, E.J. and B.A. Foote. 1992. Biology and immature stages <strong>of</strong>Chaetopsis massyla (Diptera: Otitidae), a secondary invader <strong>of</strong>herbaceous stems <strong>of</strong> wetland monocots. <strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EntomologicalSociety <strong>of</strong> Washington 94: 320-328.Davis, L.V. and I.E. Gray. 1966. Zonal and seasonal distribution <strong>of</strong>insects in North Carolina salt marshes. Ecological Monographs36: 275-295.Denno, R.F. 1977. Comparison <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assemblages <strong>of</strong> sap feedinginsects (Homoptera-Hemiptera) inhabiting two structurallydifferent salt marsh grasses in <strong>the</strong> genus Spartina. EnvironmentalEntomology 6: 359-372.Denno, R.F., M.A. Peterson, C. Gratton, J. Cheng, G.A. Langellotto,A.F. Huberty, and D.L. Finke. 2000. Feeding-inducedchanges in plant quality mediate interspecific competition betweensap-feeding herbivores. Ecology 81: 1814-1827.Grevstad, F.S., D.R. Strong, D. Garcia-Rossi, R.W. Switzer andM.S. Wecker. 2003. Biological control <strong>of</strong> Spartina alterniflora inWillapa Bay, Washington using <strong>the</strong> planthopper Prokelisiamarginata: agent specificity and early results. Biological Control27: 32-42.Newton, N.H. 1984. Stem-Boring Insect Larvae <strong>of</strong> Spartina alternifloraLoisel (Poaceae): Distribution, Biology and Influenceon Seed Production. Ph.D. Dissertation, North Carolina StateUniversity, Raleigh.Vince S.W., I. Valiela and J.M. Teal. 1981. An experimental study<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> structure <strong>of</strong> herbivorous insect communities in a saltmarsh. Ecology 62: 1662-1678.- 276 -