A Comparison of the Viability of Thistle Weevils From Fire Ant Suppressed Site to Weevils From a Site Where Fire Ants Were Not Suppressed
The thistle weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, was introduced to the United States as an agent of biological control for another non-native species, the musk thistle, Carduus nutans. Musk thistle are noxious weeds of pastures which reduce forage for grazing livestock. A high weevil population is necessary to achieve control of musk thistle. The study site is situated at the southernmost boundary of the invading thistle, the thistle weevil, and another invasive non-native, the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. The research compared the viability of R. conicus from a S. invicta suppressed site to the viability from a non suppressed site. Although the evidence suggests there is a difference in viability where fire .ants are controlled, the difference is not statistically significant. The presence of the red imported fire ant is not a factor in thistle weevil viability.
Rhinocyllus conicus, United States, Carduus nutans, Musk Thistle, Thistle Weevil, Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Science and Mathematics Education, Secondary Education
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