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Miconia
calvescens
was introduced to Tahiti in 1937. It was introduced into Hawaii in 1961.
Robert
Burkhart of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture made an exploratory
trip to Costa Rica in 1993 to begin a preliminary search for
natural enemies of M. calvescens in its native range.
The results of this trip are briefly summarized below.
Burkhart
located M. calvescens in three regions of Costa Rica
and made a total of four collections, which included more
than 50 species of insects (mostly unidentified) and 6 pathogens:
-
Turrialba, 20 km south y 20 km southeast, 700-740 m altitude.
More that 25 species of insects were sent, the majority
being Lepidoptera, but also including five species of
Coleoptera. Because the numbers of individuals of each
species were very low it was not possible to establish
cultures in quarantine in Hawaii. A species of Riodinidae
(Euselasia) with gregarious larvae appeared very promising.
-
In the area around San Vito, 870-1230 m altitude. A total
of 21 species of Lepidoptea (including Riodinidae), approximately
9 species of Coleoptera (principally Chrysomelidae and
Cerambycidae) and 2 species of Homoptera (Membracidae).
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Arenal, 570-660 m altitude. The phytopathogen, Coccodielea
myconae, was sent but was it was not possible to
cultivate it in quarantine. In addition 38 species of
Lepidoptera (including Euselasia, Limacodidae, Nymphalidae,
Lycaenidae, and Noctuidae) and one curculionid stem borer
(Coleoptera) were sent.
- Turrialba,
15-20 km southeast, 660-810 m altitude. Mostly larvae
of Lepidoptera, with some larvae and adults of Coleoptera
(principally Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae) were sent
but all arrived dead in Hawaii due to delays in Los Angeles.
Authorship
details
Hanson, P., 2003 (June 2). History.
In Biological Control of Miconia calvescens.
http://www.miconia.net
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