COMPARISON OF HERBIVORE INSECT COMMUNITIES OF HERACLEUM-SPHONDYLIUM AND H-MANTEGAZZIAUUM IN SWITZERLAND (SPERMATOPHYTA, APIACEAE)

The invertebrate herbivore communities of Heracleum sphondylium, nativ e to Switzerland and Western Europe, and of H mantegazzianum, an intro duced invasive weed originating from the Caucasus, were compared at se veral locations in Bem, Switzerland. The aim of this study was a compa rative description of the native fauna of both plants, anc: an evaluat ion of that of the native weed for potential species for biological co ntrol of the invasive weed. A total of 42 phytophagous arthropod speci es was found, 34 on H sphondylium and 34 on H mantegazzianum. The arth ropod guilds of 26 phytophagous species being common to both plant spe cies were very similar. Nine species (2 mirid bugs, 1 cicadellid, 2 ap hids, 1 curculionid beetle, 1 oecophorid moth, 2 agromyzid flies) were specific to Apiaceae, the remaining species were polyphagous. The her bivores attacking above-ground organs did not have a major impact sn t he growth of H mantegazzianum. The weevil Liophloeus tessulatus, howev er, causes root damage and deserves further investigations as a potent ial biological control species.