Bromeliad Weevils in Florida

Bromeliad Weevils In the Neotropics, bromeliads are known host plants for at least 25 species of weevils in 4 genera: Cactophagus (5 spp.) Cholus (2 spp.) Diastethus (1 sp.) Metamasius (17 spp.)

Florida Bromeliad Weevil (Metamasius mosieri) Attacks seedlings Not a threat to Florida’s native bromeliads Rarely seen on ornamental bromeliads Smaller than Mexican bromeliad weevil

Invasive Insects in Florida As a result of growing trade, Florida is increasingly susceptible to invasive pests: About 450 million exotic ornamental plants are shipped into the U.S. annually. 80-85% arrive through Miami. USDA/APHIS inspects < 2%. 271 species of exotic insects were newly recorded in Florida between 1970 and 1990. Immigrations during that period averaged 13/year. There were 122 interceptions of Metamasius spp. weevils entering Florida between 1973 and 1987.

Immigration of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil (Metamasius callizona) to Florida First found in 1989 in a Ft. Lauderdale nursery; already established in natural areas Probably entered Florida on Tillandsias from Veracruz, Mexico Movement by natural dispersal and human transport of infested plants

Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Distribution in Florida, 2001 Reported in 17 Florida counties since 1989 Now found in 16 counties (not seen in Miami-Dade Co. since before Hurricane Andrew)

Weevil Presence in Key Natural Areas Savannas Preserve State Park Now infests bromeliads in 5 state parks, 1 National Wildlife Refuge, private gardens and preserves, and numerous county parks (longest infested parks are in Broward and Palm Beach Counties) Lake Kissimmee State Park Savannas Preserve State Park Highlands Hammock State Park Myakka River State Park Loxahatchee NWR Koreshan Historic Site Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Within 4 miles of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Big Cypress National Preserve

Identification of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Mexican bromeliad weevil (M. callizona) is black with a single band yellow/orange/ red) on upper half of elytra. Florida bromeliad weevil (M. mosieri) is red and black with 2 black spots on the upper portion of the elytra. Larvae are similar in appearance, but differ in size (M. callizona larvae are larger); rear out to adult for identification

Native Bromeliads Susceptible to the Weevil (Now Under Attack) Tillandsia utriculata (giant airplant) Tillandsia fasciculata (cardinal airplant) Tillandsia flexuosa (twisted airplant) Tillandsia paucifolia (potbelly airplant) Tillandsia balbisiana (northern needleleaf)

Native Bromeliads That May be Susceptible to the Weevil Catopsis floribunda (Florida strap airplant) Catopsis nutans (nodding strap airplant) Guzmania monostachia (West Indian tufted airplant) Tillandsia pruinosa (fuzzywuzzy airplant) Tillandsia variabilis (leatherleaf airplant) Catopsis berteroniana (powdery strap airplant)

Native Bromeliads Unlikely to be Susceptible to the Weevil Tillandsia recurvata (ball moss) Tillandsia setacea (southern needleleaf) Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss) Tillandsia bartramii (Bartram’s airplant) Tillandsia simulata (broad needleleaf)

Ornamental Bromeliads: Known Susceptible Genera Aechmea Ananas Canistrum Cryptanthus Dyckia Guzmania Hohenbergia Neoregelia Nidularium Orthophytum Quesnelia Tillandsia Vriesea List is not inclusive; many bromeliads have not been tested.

Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Life Cycle Pupal (resting) stage is passed in cocoon made from shredded plant material (in middle of plant or base of stem). Adults feed mainly on leaves, but may feed on inflorescence. Larvae mine the meristemmatic tissue, tunneling deep into the base of the plant. Females lay eggs in slits in the leaves close to where they feed.

Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Biology All life stages may be present in the same plant. In south Florida, the weevil appears to breed continuously all year. Development time is approximately 8 weeks from egg to adult (on pineapple, under lab conditions); time from adult emergence to egg laying is unknown. Photo by O.R. Creel

Weevil Damage to Host Plants Tunneling by larvae and feeding damage from adults produces holes in base of stem. O.R. Creel Center of plant can be pulled out easily.

Weevil Damage to Host Plants Flower stalk may be damaged by larvae or adults. Leaves turn brown. O.R. Creel

Weevil Damage to Host Plants Plant may produce a clear or brownish gel. Adult feeding marks may be seen on leaves.

Weevil Damage to Bromeliad Populations in Natural Areas Mexican bromeliad weevil prefers larger plants, so breeding populations are rapidly destroyed. Tillandsia fasciculata populations are somewhat more resistant than those of Tillandsia utriculata.

Weevil Damage to Bromeliads in Florida’s River Systems The weevil is spreading through the Sebastian, Indian River, Loxahatchee, Peace, Caloosahatchee, Myakka, and Manatee River Systems.

Management Considerations: Preventing Further Weevil Spread Preventing spread is important both for natural areas and for collections/nurseries. Movement of plants has largely been responsible for county-to-county dispersal of the weevil.

Management Considerations: Preventing Further Weevil Spread Minimize movement of ornamental bromeliads when possible. Inspect plants before moving. Apply pesticide dip (if barerooted) or spray before moving plants off property or upon receiving new plants.

Management of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil in Natural Areas Pesticides cannot be used (concern for non-target effects in natural areas and inaccessibility of plants in canopy) Most likely effective strategy is classical biological control: importation of a natural enemy (biological control agent) from pest’s homeland, and releases in pest habitat with goal of establishment

Candidate Biological Control Agent for Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Parasitic fly Admontia sp. (Family Tachinidae) Specialist on bromeliad weevils Imported from Honduras, where it attacks M. quadrilineatus In Florida quarantine, found to parasitize M. callizona Non-target testing needed for release permit

Biological Control of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Adult fly deposits maggots at entrance to weevil tunnel. Each fly maggot seeks out a weevil larva and feeds from within. Maggot comes out of weevil larva to pupate, killing weevil.

Biological Control of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Releases will be made in natural areas in south Florida, where weevil populations are high. Parks and other protected lands are priority areas. Goal is not to eradicate weevil but to reduce damage.

Management in Natural Areas: Seed Collection Project Records of collection sites are maintained in database at http://fcbs.org. Growers propagate seeds. When weevil populations decline, seedlings will be returned to places of collection. E. Hall Volunteers from Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies (FCBS), with state permits, collect small amounts of bromeliad seed of species at risk.

Management of Mexican Bromeliad Weevil on Ornamental Bromeliads Monitor plants frequently for damage and isolate damaged plants! Chemical control: No chemical trials have been conducted for Mexican bromeliad weevil. Growers have successfully used carbaryl (Sevin). Effectiveness in killing eggs is unknown (eggs are protected). W. Berg/FCBS

Management Considerations: Preventing Establishment of New Weevils in Florida Monitor plants for other potential exotic weevils that may have escaped detection. Import only seeds of bromeliads when possible. Subject imported bromeliads to pesticide dip or spray.

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to FL Metamasius cincinnatus Metamasius flavopictus Metamasius dimidiatipennis Metamasius sellatus

Other Bromeliad Weevils That Could Potentially Immigrate to FL Immediately notify a Plant Inspector from DOACS/Division of Plant Industry if you find any of these weevils in your bromeliads. Metamasius quadrilineatus Metamasius nudiventris Metamasius rugipectus

How To Get Involved (Details at http://savebromeliads.ifas.ufl.edu) Become a volunteer seed collector Monitor bromeliads in natural areas for weevil presence or damage Support FCBS weevil research fund Educate others about the bromeliad weevil problem Practice responsible plant importation and movement (import only seeds when possible)

For More Information: Featured Creatures article on M. callizona: http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/orn/m_callizona.htm Bromeliad Biota: http://bromeliadbiota.ifas.ufl.edu FCBS: http://fcbs.org Bromeliad Society International: http://www.bsi.org Save Florida’s Native Bromeliads: http://savebromeliads.ifas.ufl.edu University of Florida Insect Management Guides on EDIS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Author: Barbra Larson, University of Florida Photos: University of Florida FDACS/DPI Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies O.R. Creel J. Salas E. Hall Entomology and Nematology Department University of Florida Copyright 2002