Renewed debate over the risk of non-target effects in biological control reflects, in part, the recent quantification of direct and indirect ecological effects of the flowerhead weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus Frol., in North America. To help resolve the issue, we review the published data for R. conicus from both Europe and North America: pre-release (1961-1968), post-release (1969-1985) and more ...

Although females rarely experience strong mate limitation, delays or lifelong problems of mate acquisition are detrimental to female fitness. In systems where males search for females via pheromone plumes, it is often difficult to assess whether female signaling is costly. Direct costs include the energetics of pheromone production and attention from unwanted eavesdroppers, such as parasites, p...

A current challenge in ecology is to better understand the magnitude, variation, and interaction in the factors that limit the invasiveness of exotic species. We conducted a factorial experiment involving herbivore manipulation (insecticide-in-water vs. water-only control) and seven densities of introduced nonnative Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) seed. The experiment was repeated with two seed ...

Wild herbs, which are edible plants that grow in mountainous areas, have diverse biological effects such as anti-obesity and anti-cancer activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of Aster scaber, Ligularia fischeri, Kalopanax pictus, Codonopsis lanceolata, and Cirsium setidens and to asses...

In order to identify and quantify fruit-lignans of Cirsium vulgare - authors introduced a special analysis system: with particular attention to the lignans enrichment/separation course. These synchronized, germination and enzymatic hydrolysis processes were followed by complementary gas and liquid chromatography, coupled with special mass selective detections (GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, LC-TOF/MS) and co...