The biology of Canadian weeds. 105. Linaria vulgaris Mill.

Biology and host specificity of Rhinusa pilosa, a recommended biological control agent of Linaria vulgaris

“…that currently occur in North America have found limited use in ethnobotany and/or gardening (e.g., L. purpurea (L.) Mill. ; see URL Missouri Botanical Garden 2013; also see Saner et al 1995, andVujnovic andWein 1997 for beneficial economic uses of L. vulgaris and L. dalmatica, respectively). With respect to their ecological value in North America, it is suspected to be minimal, although there are reports of Linaria pollination by native bumble bees (De ClerckFloate and Richards 1997).…”

A retrospective analysis of known and potential risks associated with exotic toadflax-feeding insects

“…Both L. dalmatica and L. vulgaris are self-incompatible (Docherty, 1982;Saner et al, 1995;Vujnovic and Wein, 1997). The frequency of hybridization within the Linaria is thought to be fairly high, although the occurrence of hybridization between L. dalmatica and L. vulgaris has not been recorded (Bruun, 1937;Janko, 1964;Olsson, 1974Olsson, , 1975.…”

“…The steppes of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia form the native range of Linaria vulgaris (Saner et al, 1995), while L. dalmatica is thought to originate in the Mediterranean region, reportedly from Yugoslavia to Iran (Vujnovic and Wein, 1997). The host race argument has been used to support the petition and subsequent release of host speciWc biotypes of two toadXax agents, Rhinusa antirrhini and Brachypterolus pulicarius, and a number of studies have investigated the possibility that geographically disparate populations of certain toadXax biocontrol species occurring on both L. dalmatica and L. vulgaris may have evolved distinct host races in response to the locally prevalent Linaria species (Groppe, 1992;Harris and Gassmann, 2004;Hering, 2002;Smith, 1959).…”

“…Dalmatian and yellow toadXax are widely distributed throughout North America. Between the two species, invasive toadXax populations occur in all US states except Hawaii (USDA-NRCS, 2004) and all Canadian provinces (Saner et al, 1995;Vujnovic and Wein, 1997). Three toadXax-feeding insect species are thought to have been adventitiously introduced on horticultural specimens of these weeds: the Xower-feeding beetle, Brachypterolus pulicarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Kateridae), and two seed-capsule feeding weevils, Rhinusa (formerly Gymnetron) antirrhini Paykull, and R. neta Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Smith, 1959).…”

“…Dalmatian toadXax, Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller, and yellow toadXax, L. vulgaris (Scrophulariaceae), are shortlived perennial herbs of Eurasian origin (Alex, 1962;Saner et al, 1995;Vujnovic and Wein, 1997). Dalmatian and yellow toadXax are widely distributed throughout North America.…”