Markova T.O., Kanyukova E.V., Maslov M.V.
Euroasian Entomological Journal 2019; 18(1): 16-20
Data on hemiptera insects (Heteroptera) collected from the common ragweed are given, and the trophic relations and possible plant damage caused by bugs are discussed. Of the 13 species belonging to 8 families noted on common ragweed, 10 species, Adelphocoris triannulatus, Homoeocerus dilatatus, Molipteryx fuliginosa, Megalotomus junceus, Rhopalus maculatus, Eurygaster testudinaria, Carpocoris purpureipennis, Dolycoris baccarum, Carbula putoni and Menida violacea, are phytophages and three species, Himacerus apterus, Rhynocoris leucospilus and Pinthaeus sanguinipes, are predators using phytophagy as an additional water source. Nine species are widely distributed in Eurasia, 4 species are natives of Southeast Asia and the southern territories of the Russian Far East, of which Molipteryx fuliginosa and Menida violacea, according to our observations, have a negative impact on common ragweed. Feeding of bug larvae and imagos on common ragweed under natural conditions affected the ragweed, leading to the growth of vegetative and generative parts of the plant located above the place of damage, and also caused a withering of shoot apices and leaves and disrupted seed development. The severity of damage depended upon both the duration of insect presence and the level of plant colonization by bugs. Short-term feeding of bugs on leaves caused visible traces of punctures on veins, but did not cause a significant effect on the plant growth.
