Species interactions involved in the success of the invasive plant, Centaurea maculosa
Primary Collaborators:
Ray Callaway: University of Montana Hormoz BassiriRad: University of Illinois at Chicago Cathy Zabinski: Montana State University Cyphocleonus achates
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At least 13 species of insects have been introduced as biological controls to control the invasive plant, Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed). However, C. maculosa continues to be one of the worst invaders in western North America. We investigated the roles of neighboring native plants, allelopathy and arbuscular mycorrhizae on the response of C. maculosa to herbivory by clipping, the root-boring moth, Agapeta zoegana, and the root-boring weevil, Cyphocleonus achates. Results showed:
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