SAIN Invasive Plant Pests Resource Collection for: Musk thistle
Species (scientific name): Carduus nutans
| Title: Period and intensity of Cheilosia corydon (Harris) (Diptera: Syrphidae) oviposition on ruderal plants of Carduus acanthoides L. and Carduus nutans L. (Asteraceae). |
| Author: Manojlovic-B {a}; Zabel-A {a}; Kostic-M. |
| Source: Zastita-Bilja 1998; 49 (1): 85-91. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1998 |
| Abstract: In this paper the ovipositional period and the intesity of the egg laying of Cheilosia corydon (Harris) (Diptera: Syrphidae), and the actractiveness of the ruderal plants Carduus acanthoides L. and Carduus nutans L., (Asteraceae) for the oviposition of this useful insect were researched. The ovipositional period of C. corydon under the climatic conditions of continental part of Serbia lasts from the third decade of March, during Aprile, till the early May. The ovipositional period of C. corydon on the plants of Corduus acanthoides L. and Carduus nutans L. in the region under study in 1990 lasted 38 days (from 28 March to 5 May). The biggest numbers of eggs were deposited in the period from 8 to 27 Aprile. On C. acanthoides plants the largest numbers of eggs were deposited on 14 Aprile, when 27 new eggs were registered on 7 plants (28%), which makes 7,16% in relation to the total number of deposited eggs during the whole ovipositional period. The oviposition of C. corydon on C. nutans was very intensive in the period from 12 to 24 Aprile, especially on 18 Aprile, when on 9 plants (36%) there were 47 newly deposited eggs, or 7,77% in relation to the total number of deposited eggs. In 1991, embrional period of C. corydon lasted the same as the previous year, but it started something earlier, i. e. in the beginning of the third decade of March and it lasted till the third decade of April. C. corydon deposited the largest numbers of eggs on C. acanthoides plants in the period from 5 to 10 Aprile, with the maximum on 7 April when on 5 plants (20%) the total of 23 eggs were registered or 7,23% in relation to the total number of deposited eggs. The same year, intensive oviposition on C. nutans plants was from 7 to 10 Aprile. The oviposition was especially pronounced on 9 Aprile, when 37 new eggs were found on 9 plants, which makes 8,81% of the total number of deposited eggs on this weed. C. corydon deposited considerably higher number on both plant species in 1990 (982) then in 1991 (738). C. nutans is more attractive host plant for C. corydon oviposition in relation to C. acanthoides. On 25 plants of C. acanthoides 377 eggs (38,39%) were deposited during the whole ovipositional period in 1990 (18,08 eggs on the average per plant), and on C. nutans 605 eggs (61,61%) or 24,20 eggs on the average per plant. In 1991 on the same numbers of C. acanthoides plants there were the total of 318 eggs (43,10%) which makes 12,72 eggs per plant on the average, and on C. nutans 420 eggs (16,80 per plant) or 56,90% in relation to the total number of eggs (738) deposited on both weed species. The eggs are elongated, of the average lenght of 1,3+-0,05 mm, and width 0,49+-0,03 mm. |
| Title: Estimating biocontrol agent impact with matrix models: Carduus nutans in New Zealand. |
| Author: Shea-Katriona {a}; Kelly-Dave. |
| Source: Ecological-Applications. Aug., 1998; 8 (3) 824-832. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1998 |
| Abstract: We demonstrate the use of matrix models to assess the impact of biological control and other pest management strategies with a case study of Carduus nutans (nodding thistle) in New Zealand. Modeling can facilitate the choice of the best control agents, improve evaluation of biocontrol attempts, and assist in the design of integrated pest management plans. Field data for apprx8000 mapped C. nutans plants at two sites in New Zealand were used to develop size-structured matrix models. The matrix models confirm that both populations of C. nutans were increasing in number, as is expected of a noxious weed in its invasion phase. Elasticity analysis indicated that seed/seedling and small-plant/seed transitions were more crucial to population growth than rosette survival rates. However, simulations of attack by the biocontrol agent Rhinocyllus conicus (nodding thistle receptacle weevil) showed that seed losses of apprx69% would be required to make the populations decrease in size, far more than the observed losses of 30-40% in New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. This result accords with field observations of control failure in New Zealand, but not with records of successful control in North America. Other management possibilities, including the use of grazing management to suppress germination and an integrated weed management approach, were also assessed, using both deterministic and stochastic matrix models. This work indicates that, with continued suppression of germination in conjunction with a reduction of the input to the seed bank, it may be possible to control C. nutans in New Zealand. |
| Title: Establishment in Australia of Trichosirocalus horridus a biological control agent for Carduus nutans, and preliminary assessment of its impact on plant growth and reproductive potential. |
| Author: Woodburn,-T.L. |
| Source: BIOCONTROL-SCI.TECHNOL. 1997 vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 645-656. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1997 |
| Abstract: Testing of the crown weevil, Trichosirocalus horridus, against a range of Australian Asteraceae species confirmed its specificity to nodding thistle, Carduus nutans, and permission was granted for its release in Australia. It has established at the release site, and has been redistributed to other areas in eastern Australia. A field experiment designed to study the impact of this weevil on rosette growth and reproductive potential of the thistle is described. Results indicate that the weevil can kill some plants, and reduce rosette growth of survivors by 50%. The reproductive potential of the attacked plants, measured as seeds per plant, was reduced by 67%. The interaction of this biological control agent with two others already established in Australia, the receptacle weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, and the seed fly, Urophora solstitialis, is discussed. |
| Title: Influence of pasture forage species on seedling emergence, growth and development of Carduus nutans. |
| Author: Wardle,-D.A.; Nicholson,-K.S.; Ahmed,-M.; Rahman,-A. |
| Source: J.-APPL.-ECOL. 1995 vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 225-233. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1995 |
| Abstract: A study on the interactions between Carduus nutans L. (nodding thistle), and pasture grasses and legumes was conducted in a New Zealand perennial pasture. 3 times 8 x 3 times 8 plots were sown with each of 10 forage species (six grasses and four legumes), or maintained free of pasture (bare ground plots). A 2 x 1 m subplot was established in each plot in which total thistle seedling emergence and pasture species composition were assessed over a 26-month period; in the remainder of each plot 10 thistles were labelled and monitored for subsequent growth rate, development and survivorship. Thistle seedling emergence was greater in some of the legume-sown treatments than in the grass-sown treatments for the first few months of the study. Seedling emergence was negatively related to sown grass cover and the cover of volunteer Poa annua L. in the plots. However, seedling emergence in the bare ground plots was often substantially less than for the other treatments, probably because at least some pasture cover was necessary to provide an adequate microclimate for establishment. The preflowering mortality of thistles was lowest in the bare-ground treatment, intermediate in the legume-sown treatments and highest in the grass-sown treatments. All thistles which survived to flowering in the bare-ground and legume plots behaved as annuals, while between 3 and 16% of thistles in the various grass-sown plots continued into their second year as rosettes, and many of these flowered as biennials. Preflowering thistle mortality was strongly related to the grass (including P. annua) content of the plots. Flowering thistles in the bare ground plots grew larger than in the sown plots and produced substantially more capitula. Generally, the thistles in the legume-sown plots also grew larger than those in the grass-sown plots. Grass-sown plots were likely to be invaded by P. annua in the first few months following sowing, while the legume-sown plots tended to be invaded by broadleaved weeds. The sown grass - P. annua associations appear to be substantially more effective than the sown legume - broadleaved weed associations in reducing the problem of nodding thistle invasions. |
| Title: Below-ground herbivory in Carduus nutans (Asteraceae) and the potential for biological control. |
| Author: Sheppard,-A.W.; Aeschlimann,-J.-P.; Sagliocco,-J.L.; Vitou,-J. |
| Source: BIOCONTROL-SCI.-TECHNOL. 1995 vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 261-270. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1995 |
| Abstract: The impact of root-feeding insects attacking the 'biennial' Carduus nutans L. in the southern part of its native European distribution was studied as part of a biological control programme against this weed for Australia. Surveys were conducted from Spain to Greece to parallel previous studies in central Europe and three populations of the weed were monitored in detail over a 2-4-year period in southern France. The damage levels and attack patterns of each insect species were recorded. The most common species damaging the roots and meristems were the weevils Hadroplontus (= Ceutorhynchus) trimaculatus F. and Trichosirocalus horridus Panzer and the syrphid fly Cheilosia corydon Harris (= grossa Fallen). In manipulative experiments, made to assess their impact on the host plant, C. corydon reduced seed production by up to 45%, while the two weevils mainly altered plant architecture. The results are discussed in relation to previous experience of using root feeders for the biological control of C. nutans. |
| Title: Predispersal seed predation on Carduus nutans (Asteraceae) in southern Europe. |
| Author: Sheppard,-A.W.; Cullen,-J.M.; Aeschlimann,-J.-P. |
| Source: ACTA-OECOL. 1994 vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 529-541. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1994 |
| Abstract: Predispersal seed predation of the "biennial" Carduus nutans L., by insects in the southern part of its native European distribution was studied as part of a biological control program against this weed for Australia. Three populations of the weed were monitored in detail over a 2-4 year period in southern France to quantify levels of seed loss, attack patterns and the impact of each capitulum feeding species. Capitulum damage and seed predation reduced seed production by between 81-99%. Four insects were largely responsible for this; the receptacle weevils Rhinocyllus conicus, Larinus jaceae and L. sturnus and the tephritid gall-fly Urophora solstitialis. Seed predation caused a shift of peak seed production from the large early capitula to the later more numerous small capitula from the mid to late flowering period. Attack by R. conicus and U. solstitialis was spatially dependent on capitulum density of C. nutans among sites. Sites with greater densities of capitula were attacked by a greater number of these insects per capitulum. No such pattern was found at any other spatial scale. The implications of the seed loss on C. nutans populations in southern Europe are discussed in relation to other factors in the dynamics of this weed. Comparisons with existing studies from new environments demonstrate that a) predispersal seed predation is much greater in native populations than has been described in infestations of this weed in other countries where biological control has been successful and b) the main agent of this control, R. conicus, is causing similar amounts of seed predation in native populations as in countries where it has been released without natural enemies. |
| Title: Interference effects of the invasive plant Carduus nutans L. against the nitrogen fixation ability of Trifolium repens L. |
| Author: Wardle-D-A; Nicholson-K-S; Ahmed-M; Rahman-A. |
| Source: Plant-and-Soil. 1994; 163 (2) 287-297. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1994 |
| Abstract: Carduus nutans L. is an invasive pasture/grassland species which may undergo rapid population growth through positive feedback. Plants of C. nutans produce a vegetative rosette, and after several months produce stems containing flower-heads, during which time the rosette leaves die and decompose. We investigated the influence of C. nutans on the nitrogen-fixation ability of Trifolium repens L. in three experiments. The first experiment was set up in a "mixture" design, and demonstrated that seedlings of T. repens were more susceptible to competition with other T. repens seedlings than to C. nutans seedlings. Nodule numbers and acetylene reduction per unit root, and acetylene reduction per unit nodules were adversely affected by increasing T. repens, but not C. nutans densities. The second experiment was of an additive design, with separate partitions to isolate above-ground and below-ground interference. Flowering C. nutans plants strongly inhibited T repens root growth, nodulation and acetylene reduction, but usually only when shoot interference was permitted. This appears to be due to decomposition of rosette leaves, which was maximal at this stage. The third experiment involved monitoring effects of tagged C. nutans individuals against T. repens in the field. This experiment showed that acetylene reduction was severely influenced by flowering C. nutans (when rosette leaves were decomposing), even when only mild reduction of T. repens growth was observed, and these effects persisted for some months after the C. nutans plants had died. The results of these experiments in combination suggest that decomposing rosette leaves have a strong potential to inhibit T. repens nitrogen fixation. It appears that allelopathy is involved, since alternative explanations (e.g. root competition by C. nutans; effects of C. nutans on soil moisture, microbial nutrient immobilisation and light availability; facilitation of herbivores by C. nutans) can be effectively discounted. Although invasive species are often assumed to be associated with soil nitrogen build-up, we believe that some invasive species such as C. nutans have the potential to induce long-term decline of soil nitrogen input. |
| Title: Influence of plant age on the allelopathic potential of nodding thistle (Carduus nutans L.) against pasture grasses and legumes. |
| Author: Wardle-D-A; Nicholson-K-S; Rahman-A. |
| Source: Weed-Research. 1993; 33 (1) 69-78. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1993 |
| Abstract: The allelopathic influence of four developmental stages of nodding thistle (small rosette, large rosette, bolting and dead plants) on eleven test species (six grasses (Dactylis glomerata, Phalaris tuberosa, Bromus wildenowii, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Holcus lanatus) four legumes (Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense, T. subterraneum, T. repens) and itself) was investigated using aqueous extract bioassays, aqueous leachate bioassays, and bioassays based on addition of ground material to soil. The aqueous extract and leachate bioassays indicated that nodding thistle was most allelopathic at the rosette stages, while the bioassays involving amendment of soil with thistle tissue showed bolting live and dead plants to be the most allelopathic. It is proposed that nodding thistle is allelopathic at two phases of its development, i.e. at the early bolting stage when the larger rosette leaves are decomposing and releasing soluble inhibitors, and at the stage when bolting plants are drying and releasing insoluble inhibitors. Nodding thistle seedlings appear to be stimulated by addition of thistle tissues to soil, indicating that thistle plants may weaken pasture and simultaneously encourage recruitment of its own species. This is consistent with previous studies detecting high densities of thistle seedlings in the vicinity of decreased parent plants. The six grass species were generally more tolerant to thistle allelopathic effects than were the four legume species, but no consistent differences emerged between different grass or legume species. |
| Title: Host specificity testing, release and establishment of Urophora solstitialis (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a potential biological control agent for Carduus nutans L., in Australia. |
| Author: Woodburn,-T.L. |
| Source: BIOCONTROL-SCI.-TECHNOL. 1993 vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 419-426. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1993 |
| Abstract: The seed-fly Urophora solstitialis was imported into Australian from southern France. Previous workers had shown that this seed-fly limited its attack to selected members of the genus Carduus. Host specificity studies revealed that no native Australian plant tested from the family Asteraceae was a suitable host plant. Permission to release the fly was granted, and it was released in three regions of the New South Wales tablelands. The fly underwent a second generation at two of the release sites, and reasons for its failure to do so at the third are suggested. It has successfully established itself in all three regions, having completed a full seasonal cycle in the field. |
| Title: Field test of the weevil Hadroplonthus trimaculatus and the fleabeetle Psylliodes chalcomera against musk thistle (Carduus nutans). |
| Author: Dunn-Paul-H; Campobasso-Gaetano. |
| Source: Weed-Science. 1993; 41 (4) 656-663. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1993 |
| Abstract: This study was conducted to determine if field evaluations could be used to select insects for biological control of musk thistle. Host specificity and larval development of a weevil, Hadroplonthus trimaculatus, and a fleabeetle, Psylliodes chalcomera, were studied in field trials near Rome, Italy, in which insects were allowed free choice of several hosts. Natural populations of these two insects, which do not occur in North America, were exposed to North American species of Cirsium, Carduus, and selected crops. Adult insects and larvae on host plants were identified and counted on test plants from North America and native attraction plants. In addition to infesting musk thistle, weevil adults and larvae were recorded on flodman thistle, wavyleaf thistle, and spinosissimum thistle. Consequently, this insect was not suitable for introduction into North America. The fleabeetle would be satisfactory for biological control since no adults or larvae were recorded on Cirsium spp. or economic plants. These studies show that field trials are a valid method for identifying specific and nonspecific candidate insects for biological control of weeds. Nomenclature: Musk thistle, Carduus macrocephalus Desfontaines, subsp. macrocephalus Nyman; musk thistle, Carduus macrocephalus Desfontaines, subsp. leiophyllus (Petrovic) Arenes; musk thistle, Carduus nutans L., subsp. leiophyllus (Petrovic) Arenes, -3 CRUNU; musk thistle, Carduus nutans L., subsp. macrocephalus (Desfontaines) Nyman, CRUNU; plumeless thistle, Carduus acanthoides L., CRUAC; nodman thistle, Cirsium flodmanii (Rydbon) Arthur, CIRFL; wavyleaf thistle, Cirsium undulatum Nuttal (Spreng), CIRUN; fleabeetle, Psylliodes chalcomera (Illiger); and weevil, Hadroplonthus trimaculatus (Fabricius). |
| Title: Hybridization of Carduus nutans and Carduus acanthoides (Compositae): Morphological variation in F-1 hybrids and backcrosses. |
| Author: Warwick-S-I {a}; Thompson-B-K; Black-L-D. |
| Source: Canadian-Journal-of-Botany. 1992; 70 (11) 2303-2309. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1992 |
| Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare patterns of morphological variation in F-1 hybrids and backcrosses obtained artifically in the greenhouse relative to the parental species Carduus acanthoides (2n = 22) and Carduus nutans (2n = 16), which form a naturally occurring hybrid complex in Grey County, Ontario (Canada). The identity of parental, hybrid, and backcross genotypes was confirmed using allozyme markers. The data were used to test for hybrid (H) intermediacy in morphological traits that differentiate the two parental taxa (acronyms A and N are used for C. acanthoides and C. nutans, respectively) and to determine patterns of variation on the same traits among the four classes of backcross plants (NH, HN, AH, and HA, seed times pollen parent, respectively). Canonical multivariate analysis indicated that in general, F-1 hybrids had intermediate morphologies compared with parental genotypes, although differences were observed among characters with respect to the degree of morphological intermediacy of hybrids. The backcrosses were divided into two groups, i.e., those backcrossed with C. acanthoides (AH and HA) and those with C. nutans (NH and HN). However, backcrosses also showed considerable morphological overlap with F-1 hybrids. These results exemplify the utility of joint comparisons of morphology and genotypic constitution (allozymes) in the hybridization studies, and they emphasize the limitations in describing hybrid classes solely by morphological criteria. |
| Title: Comparative growth response in Carduus nutans, C. acanthoides , and their F sub(1) hybrids. |
| Author: Warwick,-S.I.; Thompson,-B.K.; Black,-L.D. |
| Source: CAN.-J.-BOT.-J.-CAN.-BOT. 1990. vol. 68, no. 8, pp. 1675-1679. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1990 |
| Abstract: The growth response of F sub(1) hybrids relative to parental genotypes was compared in a natural hybridization system involving the diploid species Carduus acanthoides) L. (2n = 22) and C. nutans L. (2n = 16). The data were used to test models of hybrid intermediacy, superiority, or greater similarity to a single parent in response to variable soil conditions and intra- and inter-genotypic competition. Progeny from paired reciprocal crosses between the two species were used in the experiments. In each of the half-sib families produced, the rapid and early identification of F sub(1) hybrid genotypes and parental genotypes (resulting from selfing) was confirmed using allozyme markers (Pgi-2, Tpi-1, and Tpi-2). Growth of the F sub(1) hybrids was better than C. nutans) in poor soil, and both F sub(1) hybrid and C. nutans) genotypes produced significantly more dry weight than C. acanthoides in all soil treatments. F sub(1) hybrids grew at least as well as the maternal parental species C. nutans) and significantly better than C. acanthoides in the presence of intra- and inter-genotypic competitors. The F sub(1) hybrid genotypes formed a more aggressive competitive environment than C. nutans), as evidenced by the growth of all three genotypes. |
| Title: The mating system in sympatric populations of Carduus nutans , C. acanthoides and their hybrid swarms. |
| Author: Warwick,-I.; Thompson,-K. |
| Source: HEREDITY. 1989. vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 329-337. |
| Source Type: Journal |
| Publication Date: 1989 |
| Abstract: Levels of outcrossing were compared in two sympatric weedy species of Carduus , C. nutans and C. acanthoides and their hybrid swarms from Grey County, Ontario, Canada in order to determine whether: (i) a departure from random outcrossing could be demonstrated in the Grey County populations; (ii) there were species differences in outcrossing rates and selfing potential; (iii) differences were evident between pure populations of the parental taxa and the hybrid swarms; and (iv) there was evidence for spatial substructuring of the populations or inter-plant variation in outcrossing rates. Self-fertilization studies, conducted in the greenhouse on individuals of both species, indicated varying degrees of self-fertility, up to 60 per cent among plants of each species. |
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