Surveys in Argentina and Uruguay reveal Cyrtobagous salviniae (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) populations adapted to survive temperate climates in southeastern USA.

ABSTRACT. Cyrtobagous salviniae is widely used in several countries including the United States, South Africa and Australia for biological control of Salvinia molesta Mitchell (Salviniales:Salviniaceae). Despite considerable success in tropical and subtropical regions, the effectiveness of C. salviniae on S. molesta is inconsistent in temperate regions, indicating the need for populations adapted to cooler climates. The objectives of this study were to determine the regions of South America that are climatically similar to S.