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Combined effects of two arthropod herbivores and water stress on growth of Hypericum species

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Abstract

The interaction between physiological stress and arthropod herbivory was studied using two perennial species of Hypericum. Seedlings of H. perforatum, a herb introduced to Australia and weedy in places, and H. gramineum, an indigenous species, were subjected to water stress and/or herbivory by a mite, Aculus hyperici and an aphid, Aphis chloris. Both arthropods have recently been released in Australia for biological control of H. perforatum. Individually, stresses reduced measures of plant growth. Combinations of the three stresses decreased plant growth by slightly more than the product of their separate effects, suggesting that there is a weak positive interaction exacerbating the damage caused by each stress. Seedlings of the target weed and the ‘non-target’ indigenous species were equally affected by the arthropods. The implications for weed biological control are discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Richard H. Groves

    Present address: CSIRO Unit of Biological Control, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34982, Montferrier sur Lez, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Botany and Zoology, The Australian National University, 0200, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Anthony J. Willis, Julian E. Ash & Richard H. Groves

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  1. Anthony J. Willis
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  2. Julian E. Ash
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  3. Richard H. Groves
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Willis, A.J., Ash, J.E. & Groves, R.H. Combined effects of two arthropod herbivores and water stress on growth of Hypericum species. Oecologia 96, 517–525 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320509

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320509

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