U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Invasive Plant Research Laboratory: Fort Lauderdale, FL
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Outreach
                        Volunteer
                                    Outreach Activities 2019
                                    Outreach Activities 2020
                                    Outreach Activities 2022
                    K.I.N.D. GardenSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Southeast Area Fort Lauderdale, Florida Invasive Plant Research Laboratory Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            CUDA, J. - UNIVERSITY OF FLitem
                                            Wheeler, Gregoryitem
                                            HABECK, D. - UNIVERSITY OF GA
  Submitted to: Wildland Weeds
                                    Publication Type: Trade Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2002
                                    Publication  Date: 12/20/2002
                                    Citation: Cuda, J.P., Wheeler, G.S., Habeck, D.H. 2002. BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE SEED CHALCID: MEGASTIGMUS TRANSVAALENSIS WASP WAGES WAR ON WIDESPREAD WEED. Wildland Weeds. 6:18-20. 2002.Interpretive Summary: The expansion of the environmental weed Brazilian peppertree into Florida's natural areas is being slowed by a South African wasp. The wasp lays eggs in the bright red berries on the tree which then fail to germinate. The wasp occurs in 23 counties in Florida and causes a 31-76% decrease in the number of viable seeds. Despite the African origin of this wasp on species of Rhus, no damage to Florida's species of this family could be detected.
                                Technical Abstract: An introduced torymid wasp, Megastigmus transvaalensis, from South Africa was recovered in Florida from drupes of the terrestrial weed Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolius.  Collections of S. terebinthifolius drupes in Florida indicated that M. transvaalensis was present at 23 counties surveyed. Damage levels to drupes ranged from 31-76%. All damaged seeds failed to germinate. This insect is known to complete development on several other species of the Anacardiaceae in South Africa, including Rhus and Schinus. However, no wasps were recovered despite rearing drupes from native members of the Anacardiaceae including Rhus copallina.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov