Evaluating the climatic suitability of Engytatus passionarius Minghetti et al. (Heteroptera, Miridae) as a biological control agent of the invasive stinking passion flower Passiflora foetida L. in Australia through ecological niche models

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105461
• Publication Date: 2024-02-12T07:07:52Z
• Authors: Eugenia Minghetti; Pablo M. Dellapé; Mariano Maestro; Sara I. Montemayor
• Keywords: Sticky-plant specialization; S; QH301-705.5; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6; MVE; Invasive plant; Agriculture; Sticky-plant specialisation; Biology (General); https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1; Climatic niche; Plant bug; ENM

Passiflora foetida is a climbing vine, native to the Neotropical Region that causing major economic and ecological damage in Australia, where it rapidly spreading. Traditional control options, such as cutting, manual uprooting, herbicide applications are only effective for local management. Currently, plant bug Engytatus passionarius most promising biological agent. Specificity tests performed its range Argentina suggest highly specific plant, has not been observed field associated with other plants. As climate determines establishment of insects, knowing if environmental conditions suit their requirements key introducing species region. Also, an overlap between climatic niches indicator similar requirements. To explore possibilities successful E. niche models (ENM) were built vine was measured. The ENM projected Australia recognized suitable several regions P. present, both current future scenarios. Moreover, almost completely overlapped vine. All aforementioned evidence seems indicate good chance become agent foetida.