Hostname: page-component-77f85d65b8-grvzd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-04-20T23:15:18.239Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Impact of Ceutorhynchus litura feeding on root carbohydrate levels in Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Gary L. Hein  and
Robert G. Wilson
Robert G. Wilson
Affiliation:
Panhandle Research & Extension Center, University of Nebraska, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Canada thistle is a serious perennial weed found throughout the northern regions of the United States and Canada. The weevil, Ceutorhynchus litura (F.), was first released in Canada in 1965 as a potential biological control agent for Canada thistle; however, its impact as a control agent has been sporadic. The objective of this study was to characterize C. litura impacts on the carbohydrate profile in Canada thistle roots through the growing season and to evaluate the potential for this biological control agent in causing stress to Canada thistle. Field plots, infested with C. litura, were established and extensively sampled for C. litura infestations. By sampling C. litura–damaged and undamaged Canada thistle shoots–roots through the season, we were able to establish the profile of free sugars and fructans in the roots and compare these levels to the presence and extent of insect damage. Levels of all free sugars and fructans were consistently found to be depressed in roots from C. litura–damaged shoots early in the summer during and shortly after the larval feeding period. Ceutorhynchus litura feeding in Canada thistle shoots appears to disrupt the movement of photoassimilates from leaves to roots. Late-season levels of free sugars and fructans indicate that roots do recover from these depressed levels, and in several instances, significant overcompensation occurred in the damaged roots. Measurement of free sugars and fructans to identify sublethal impacts of control tactics may allow the strategic combining of complementary tactics to maximize the impact of stresses on Canada thistle.

Keywords

Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. CIRARCeutorhynchus litura (F.), Coleoptera: CurculionidaeBiological controlcarbohydratesfructans

Information

Type
Weed Management
Information
Weed Science , Volume 52 , Issue 4 , August 2004 , pp. 628 - 633
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Literature Cited

Ang, B. N., Kok, L. T., Holtzman, G. I., and Wolf, D. D. 1994. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) response to simulated insect defoliation and plant competition. Weed Sci 42:403–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Behrens, R. and Elakkad, M. A. 1981. Canada thistle interference in crops. Proc. NCWCC 36:167–169.Google Scholar
Beuerman, D. S. N., Hensley, D. L., and Carpenter, P. L. 1984. Translocation of glyphosate in Cirsium arvense . Hortscience 19:296–298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Donald, W. W. 1990. Management and control of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Rev. Weed Sci 5:193–250.Google Scholar
Donald, W. W. 1994. The biology of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Rev. Weed Sci 6:77–101.Google Scholar
Hodgson, J. M. 1968. The Nature, Ecology, and Control of Canada Thistle. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin 1386. 32 p.Google Scholar
Hoeft, E. V., Jordan, N., Zhang, J., and Wyse, D. L. 2001. Integrated cultural and biological control of Canada thistle in conservation tillage soybeans. Weed Sci 49:642–646.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ozer, V. Z. and Koch, W. 1977. Gehalt von wurzein der ackerkratzdistel (Cirsium arvense) an inulin and zucker in abhangigkeit von mechanischer und chemischer bekampfung. Bekampfung 2. Pflanzen schutz 8:169–170.Google Scholar
Peschken, D. P. and Beecher, R. W. 1973. Ceutorhynchus litura (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): biology and first releases for biological control of the weed Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) in Ontario, Canada. Can. Entomol 105:1489–1494.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peschken, D. P. and Derby, J. L. 1992. Effects of Urophora cardui (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Ceutorhynchus litura (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the weed Canada thistle Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Can. Entomol 124:145–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peschken, D. P. and Wilkinson, A. T. S. 1981. Biocontrol of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense): release and effectiveness of Ceutorhynchus litura (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Can. Entomol 113:777–785.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rees, N. E. 1990. Establishment, dispersal, and influence of Ceutorhynchus litura on Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) in the Gallatin Valley of Montana. Weed Sci 38:198–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[SAS] Statistical Analysis Systems. 1999. The SAS System for Windows. Release 8.02. Cary, NC: Statistical Analysis Systems Institute.Google Scholar
Tworkoski, T. 1992. Developmental and environmental effects on assimilate partitioning in Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Weed Sci 40:79–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Den Ende, W., Michiels, A., Van Wonterghem, D., Clerens, S. P., DeRoover, J., and Van Laere, A. J. 2001. Defoliation induces fructan 1-exohydrolase II in witloof chicory roots. Cloning and purification of two isoforms, fructan 1-exohydrolase IIa and fructan 1-exohydrolase IIb. Mass fingerprint of the fructan 1-exohydrolase II enzymes. Plant Physiol 126:1186–1195.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Waes, C. J., Baert, J. B., Carlier, L., and Van Bockstaele, E. 1998. A rapid determination of the total sugar content and the average insulin chain length in roots of chicory (Cichorium intybus L). J. Sci. Food Agric 76:107–110.3.0.CO;2-6>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilson, R. D. and Michiels, A. 2003. Fall herbicide treatments affect carbohydrate content in roots of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Weed Sci 51:299–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilson, R. G., Kachman, S. D., and Martin, A. R. 2001. Seasonal changes in glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans in the roots of dandelion. Weed Sci 49:150–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zwölfer, H. and Harris, P. 1966. Ceutorhynchus litura (F.) (Col. Curculionidae), a potential insect for the biological control of thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., in Canada. Can. J. Zool 44:23–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar