Pasture Weeds

Tropical Soda Apple Beetle

Tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum, is a South American plant which invaded Florida in the 1980s. It is primarily a problem in rangelands and pastures where it displaces forage grasses resulting in lower stocking rates. Cattle do not feed on the foliage, but consume the fruits, thereby transporting seeds to new areas in their digestive tracks.

Gratiana boliviana, a South America beetle, has been introduced into Florida as a biological control agent of tropical soda apple. The beetle, which has been released at several hundred locations in Florida, has been shown to lower the density and fruit production of tropical soda apple.

Presenter

Bill Overholt is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida’s Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce, Florida. Dr. Overholt’s research is focused on biological control of invasive plants using natural enemies found in the plant’s native range. He conducts foreign exploration for natural enemies, studies their biology in a quarantine laboratory, and evaluates their performance once released in Florida. His program is currently targeting Hydrilla verticillata, Brazilian peppertree, air potato and tropical soda apple.