Bikasha collaris explained

Bikasha collaris is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae.^[1] It is found in China, Taiwan, and Japan.

It has been considered as a biological control for an invasive tree Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) by the USDA due to its specialist feeding.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Description

B. collaris adults have a yellowish-red head and a black notum. The eggs are light yellow and glassy. The larvae emerges as light yellow and darkens as they grow. The pupae are initially white, but as they age, the hind legs and eyes become darker.

Natural history

B. collaris adults feed on the leaves of T. sebifera. Each adult produces about 25.5 ± 1.5 feeding holes per day. The larvae feed mainly on young roots and stems, making tunnels. Mature larvae leave the roots and move to the soil to pupate. It takes the larvae an average of 17.9 ± 0.3 days to reach the pupal stage, which average 8.6 ± 0.2 days.

Mating is frequently observed after a preoviposition period of 6.3 ± 0.3 days. The embryonic development takes on average 8.7 ± 0.1 days.

Notes and References

1. Web site: TaiBNET. taibnet.sinica.edu.tw. 2018-07-24.
2. News: 'Super invader' tree hits South, but flea beetle may be hero. The Washington Times. 2018-07-24.
3. 2011-03-01. The host range and impact of Bikasha collaris (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a promising candidate agent for biological control of Chinese tallow, Triadica sebifera (Euphorbiaceae) in the United States. Biological Control. 56. 3. 230–238. 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2010.11.014. 1049-9644. Huang. Wei. Wheeler. Gregory S.. Purcell. Matthew F.. Ding. Jianqing. 2011BiolC..56..230H .
4. 2017-05-01. Predicting spillover risk to non-target plants pre-release: Bikasha collaris a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera). Biological Control. 108. 16–21. 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2017.02.003. 1049-9644. Wheeler. Gregory S.. Duncan. James G.. Wright. Susan. free. 2017BiolC.108...16W .
5. Wheeler. Gregory S.. Steininger. M. Sedonia. Wright. Susan. 2017-04-28. Quarantine host range of Bikasha collaris, a potential biological control agent of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in North America. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 163. 2. 184–196. 10.1111/eea.12573. 2017EEApp.163..184W . 90368889 . 0013-8703.
6. Zou. Jianwen. Siemann. Evan. Rogers. William E.. DeWalt. Saara J.. October 2008. Decreased resistance and increased tolerance to native herbivores of the invasive plantSapium sebiferum. Ecography. 31. 5. 663–671. 10.1111/j.0906-7590.2008.05540.x. 2008Ecogr..31..663Z . 0906-7590.