An assessment of a biological control agent, Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae), to control Metamasius callizona (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an invasive herbivore destroying Florida's native bromeliads

Metamasius callizona is an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil that is destroying Florida’s native bromeliads. Lixadmontia franki is a tachinid that parasitizes bromeliad-eating weevils and is a potential biological control agent for controlling M. callizona . Fly releases and monitoring were made from June 2007 to May 2009 at 4 release sites. Two F2 generation flies were recovered after the first release; no other recoveries were made. At one release site, the decline of the bromeliad population was monitored. The population declined by 97.4% in 2 years because of the weevil infestation.;Laboratory research was conducted to examine L. franki’s ability to assess host density; describe the larval stages of L. franki ; and assess whether L. franki is ovoviviparous or viviparous. Lixadmontia franki showed the ability to assess host density. The fly has 3 larval stages that are easily distinguished. Data support that L. franki is ovoviviparous and not viviparous.