Scientists have discovered a new pest that preys on the dangerous invasive plant, Sosnowsky's hogweed, which has spread widely across Russia. This weed is resistant to damage from insects due to the presence of furanocoumarins in its leaves, stems, and roots, which weaken the activity of leaf-eating phytophages. However, it turns out that hogweed can be defeated by the larvae of a small fly.
The discovery was made in the Moscow region by scientists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, the S.I. Vavilov Institute of the History of Science and Technology, and the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University.
"The larvae of the sciarid fly Bradysia impatiens (Diptera, Sciaridae) inhabited the root of hogweed, where they formed clusters of 15-30 individuals. In total, more than 100 larvae were found. The larvae gnawed out the core of the root. This led to root rot, delayed growth of young leaves, chlorosis, and plant wilting," reports the Severtsov Institute on its website.
However, according to scientists, the sciarid fly Bradysia impatiens is known as a polyphagous pest that destroys plants in greenhouses. This species damages more than 25 plant species, as well as mushrooms and other fungal cultures.
"The pest has spread worldwide by now, so it is impossible to reliably determine its native range," the report says.
As the institute notes, the question of whether an invasive plant is being damaged by an invasive insect species remains open. But the mass development of larvae in the root of Sosnowsky's hogweed is a "unique event," according to the Severtsov Institute. It indicates that as the weed becomes naturalized in a new territory, it is gradually being exploited by phytophagous insects.
The scientists' work has been published in the Russian Journal of Biological Invasions.
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