Biocontrol News and Information 31(1), 1N–8N www.cabi.org/BNI General News

BNI News in 2010 Given the new understanding of cochineal–host specificity, the prospects for successful biolog- The new decade brings changes for BNI. The news ical control of Hudson pear seem good. In addition, and review sections are now on the main CABI web- the newly revealed host specificity of the cochineal site, at www.cabi.org/BNI, along with a link to the should make testing relatively straightfor- abstracts database on CAB Direct. To bring BNI in ward, especially as there are no Australian native line with CABI’s other news and information jour- Cactaceae, and a different biotype of D. tomentosus nals, the news section has been re-organized and has previously been approved for introduction. rationalized. Although now shorter than before, we hope it will be no less useful; our challenge is to use Contact: Bill Palmer, Biosecurity the space wisely to keep readers up to date with what Queensland/Alan Fletcher Research Station. is happening in the biocontrol world. We will con- ([email protected]). tinue to welcome readers’ contributions, although Web: www.dpi.qld.gov.au long articles will be rare and need to be agreed in advance. Please contact the Editor ([email protected]) Royce Holtkamp, NSW Department of Industry & about potential news items, conference announce- Investment. ([email protected]). ments and reports, and new publication notices. Web: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

New Cochineal Strain tested against Cactus in Biocontrol Agent Provides Canadian Lilies with Protection against the Lily Leaf Recent research in lies behind a new The parasitic eulophid wasp Tetrastichus setifer was biocontrol project aimed at containing the spread of recently approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Hudson pear (Cylindropuntia rosea) in Australia. Agency for release in Canada for biological control of Infestations of the cactus are most severe in New the lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii. This biological con- South Wales, where it was probably introduced by trol agent attacks lily leaf beetle larvae and kills its opal miners, but it is also now found in other states host in the prepupal stage, reducing overall adult and is expected to spread. The biggest problem with emergence and infestation of lilies. this densely branched, highly invasive cactus is its long, strong spines, which injure and even kill native The lily leaf beetle, a pest of cultivated and native lilies, was accidentally introduced into North and farm , and are a serious nuisance to bush America in Montreal, Canada, in the 1940s. Over the walkers and farm vehicles because they can pene- past seven decades it has expanded its range consid- trate boots and tyres. erably. It is now a common pest throughout eastern Canada and the northeastern USA, and it has been Biological control of cactus has a well-known reported as far west as Alberta. Its extensive native history. The cochineal insect, Dactylopius tomen- range – northern Africa to Scandinavia and east to tosus, has been associated with Opuntia/ the Pacific – suggests that lily leaf beetle is capable Cylindropuntia spp. and used in biological control of becoming established throughout the North Amer- programmes for a very long time – sometimes with ican continent. spectacular success, but not invariably. Recent research by Catherine Mathenge has provided The lily leaf beetle feeds mainly on true lilies ( insight into this variation by revealing that cochineal Lilium) and several species in the closely related are highly specific to individual host species. genus Fritillaria. Populations of the reach Thus for biological control introductions, biotypes high densities and complete defoliation of is need to be collected from the specific target weed. common. Because cultivated lilies are themselves This research has underpinned the successful control introduced from Asia and Fritillaria does not occur of C. fulgida var. fulgida in South Africa. [see articles outside of cultivation in Canada, the lily leaf beetle is in BNI 30(2), 17N–19N (June 2009).] primarily a horticultural pest. However, considering the enormous popularity of lilies in urban and sub- Mathenge’s findings may explain why D. tomentosus urban gardens, its importance as a pest should not be already present in Australia (it was introduced underestimated. against the related weedy cactus C. imbricata with some success) attacks Hudson pear but is not partic- Even more worrisome is the fact that the lily leaf ularly damaging to it. Under the new project funded beetle has recently been reported infesting popula- by NSW (New South Wales) Department of Industry tions of Canada lily, Lilium canadense, in Quebec & Investment, a strain of D. tomentosus collected and New Brunswick. This native species is listed as from Hudson pear by collaborators in Mexico will be threatened or vulnerable throughout its range. host tested in the quarantine facility at the Alan Although the beetle has not yet been reported from Fletcher Research Station in Queensland. populations of the native wood lily L. philadel-

Are we on your mailing list? Biocontrol News and Information is always pleased to receive news of research, conferences, new products or patents, changes in personnel, collaborative agreements or any other information of interest to other readers. If your organization sends out press releases or newsletters, please let us have a copy. In addition, the editors welcome proposals for review topics. 2N Biocontrol News and Information 31(1) phicum, which is threatened or endangered in parts Coccinellids for Combating Cycad Scale: of its range, the larvae survived well on the plant in Promising News from Palau and the USA the laboratory. Moreover, as the range of the lily leaf beetle expands westward, it will eventually come The Pacific Biocontrol Strategy Development Work- shop held in Auckland, , in November into contact with several other native lilies, roughly 2009 heard how introduction of the coccinellid beetle, half of which are threatened or endangered. Thus, against the cycad aulacaspis lily leaf beetle, now considered a garden pest, is on scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) in Palau is showing the verge of becoming a threat to native plant biodi- promising results. Ornamental cycad plants that had versity as well. been reduced to withered brown remnants following attack by the scale are showing signs of regeneration, No effective native natural enemies have been and it is hoped that the releases will slow further observed in and control measures for spread of the pest. the beetle have relied mostly on pesticide applica- tions or picking beetles by hand. In 1998, a Aulacaspis yasumatsui has been identified as a collaborative biological control programme directed major threat to wild cycad populations and conserva- against lily leaf beetle was initiated between the Uni- tion collections around the world, as well as a costly versity of Rhode Island, USA, and CABI Europe – pest for horticultural sectors. The scale, which attacks primarily species in the genus Cycas, is Switzerland (CABI E-CH). Surveys throughout cen- native to Southeast Asia but has been introduced to tral Europe, where the pest and lilies are native, other countries in the New World (where it was first showed that the beetle is well controlled by three reported as a pest in Florida, USA, in 1996), Africa larval parasitoids, not only at natural sites but also and Asia, as well as the Pacific. in private gardens and lily plantations. In 2001, fol- lowing host-specificity screening tests, classical Following the pest’s arrival in Guam in 2003, Palau biological control of lily leaf beetle was begun in banned imports of cycads in an effort to prevent inva- North America, with the release of over 3000 females sion, but it eventually evaded these quarantine of the larval parasitoid T. setifer in eastern Massa- restrictions and was found in Palau in 2008. As of chusetts. Tetrastichus setifer is now well established October 2009, 36 infested sites had been recorded, all at several release sites throughout New England, involving introduced cycad species on the main and has spread more than 10 km from the original islands of Koror and Babeldaob. At risk, however, are the abundant native cycads found on the isolated release sites. Parasitism rates up to 100% have been Rock Islands; in Guam, it has been reported that recorded and local beetle densities have declined. some 60% of native cycads have died as a result of A. yasumatsui infestation. Increasing problems for lily growers with lily leaf beetle, the threat to lily species native to Canada, Rhyzobius lophanthae, a generalist predator of and the success of T. setifer in the USA have gener- diaspid (armoured), scales from Australia has been ated interest in introducing the parasitoid into introduced as a control agent for diaspids to many Canada. Therefore, researchers from Carleton Uni- countries since it was first introduced to the US state versity (Ottawa, Canada), Agriculture and Agri-Food of California in 1892. More recently, it was intro- Canada (AAFC), CABI E-CH and the University of duced to Guam as part of the biocontrol effort against Rhode Island submitted a petition to the Canadian A. yasumatsui in 2003. The material released in Food Inspection Agency in November 2009 to release Palau was sourced from there. With help from Uni- T. setifer for biological control of lily leaf beetle in versity of Guam entomologist Dr Aubrey Moore, cultures of the biocontrol agent were successfully Canada. Approval was granted in January 2010. established and releases made at 29 sites (including Release is planned for spring 2010 and a post-release the Rock Islands). The coccinellids were subse- monitoring project will be implemented. The host quently found at 26 of these with evidence of local specificity of T. setifer and its capacity to parasitize a dispersal, and at a further 7 sites where no releases significant proportion of available hosts is expected had been made. to have a substantial impact on lily leaf beetle in Canada. The R. lophanthae culture is being maintained to allow releases when new infestations are found. As By: Tim Hayea, Naomi Cappuccinob, Peter Masonc, a d well as maintaining vigilance for new outbreaks, the Marc Kenis , Richard Casagrande & Lisa project has conducted a public awareness campaign d Tewksbury asking people not to cut down their cycad plants to allow R. lophanthae to feed on the scale. a CABI Europe – Switzerland. ([email protected] / [email protected]). The biocontrol project in Palau is a collaborative ven- bDepartment of Biology, Carleton University, Canada. ture involving the University of Guam, the US ([email protected]). Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). cAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa. ([email protected]). Meanwhile, the search for new and effective natural enemies of the cycad aulacaspis scale continues to be dDepartment of Plant Sciences, University of Rhode conducted by Dr Ronald D. Cave of the University of Island, USA. ([email protected] / [email protected]). Florida and Dr Ru Nguyen of the Florida Depart- News 3N ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During Of these, a small external leaf-feeding weevil exploration in Thailand in October 2007, they found Cleopus japonicus (buddleia leaf weevil), belonging a bright orange coccinellid causing devastation to to the very host-specific Cionini, became the cycad aulacaspis scale populations on Cycas sia- focus partly due to ease of rearing. Cleopus japonicus mensis in a forest near Sub Tao. Predation by beetles is multivoltine, and both the slug-like larva and the on infested plants in this area was widespread. adult cause damage. Approval to release C. japonicus Numerous larvae, pupae and adults were shipped to was attained from the Environmental Risk Manage- Florida where colonies are now maintained in quar- ment Authority in November 2005. In 2006, New antine in Gainesville and Fort Pierce. A return trip Zealand Forest Research Institute (Scion) entomolo- to the same area in June 2009 resulted in the collec- gists released the weevil as the first biological control tion of numerous adults and larvae on C. siamensis agent worldwide for buddleia. in a dipterocarp forest on the grounds of the Sakaerat Environmental Research Center and the Prior to its release, a population dynamics model effectiveness of the predator to control the scale developed for the weevil indicated potential for posi- insect was again observed. The predatory beetle tive benefits from releasing it in New Zealand (see [1] belongs to the genus Phaenochilus but is new to sci- and references therein). However, buddleia has an ence; Dr Natalia Vandenberg (USDA taxonomist) impressive ability to respond positively to the effects and graduate student Adriano Giorgi (University of of defoliation. Georgia, USA) are formally naming and describing the species. Adults and larvae of Phaenochilus n. sp. Five sites within commercial forests in the North have been exposed to other armoured scales, soft Island were chosen for initial releases in 2006, and scales, whitefly nymphs, aphids, mealybugs, psyl- establishment was confirmed in all sites the fol- lids, thrips, citrus leafminer larvae, other coccinellid lowing spring. The edge of the population has been larvae, and green lacewing larvae. Predation was measured to be moving outwards at a rate of approx- noted only on other armoured scale species and a few imately 100 m per annum. Population density built whitefly nymphs. Due to its host specificity, vora- up relatively rapidly, and the first appearance of sig- cious consumption rate, and extended adult nificant buddleia defoliation, with the removal of up longevity, it is a good candidate for biological control to 95% of green leaf tissue in localized areas, was of the pest. A petition for field release of Phaeno- recorded in the autumn of 2008. Cautious excitement chilus n. sp. was submitted to APHIS PPQ (USDA after this event was replaced by optimism, when the and Plant Health Inspection Service – Plant pattern of defoliation was repeated in the autumn of Protection and Quarantine) in January 2010 and is 2009. Leaf damage recorded on buddleia peaked in awaiting decision. March and April (early autumn in New Zealand), corresponding with an increase in the number of Contact: Warea Orapa, SPC, Fiji. larvae. ([email protected]). Ronald D. Cave, University of Florida, USA. To a greater extent than expected, C. japonicus ([email protected]). appears to be undergoing a summer aestivation, even in central New Zealand’s relatively mild sum- Secretariat of the Pacific Community (www.spc.int). IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group mers. This was not apparent in the first year of (www.cycadsg.org/pages/CAS.htm). monitoring, but in the following two years when summer above-average daily maximum tempera- tures of 30oC were attained, only one single larva Buddleia Leaf Weevil off to a Promising Start in was recorded on buddleia in January (mid summer). New Zealand Recent research by Thomas et al. [2, 3] on the impact Adorned with long panicles of purple flowers and of leaf removal on B. davidii has revealed that con- abundant blue-green leaves, Buddleja davidii (bud- tinued defoliation across multiple growing seasons is dleia or butterfly bush) is an attractive shrub that is needed to suppress buddleia. One complete season of native to China. It is also a major weed species that repeated 66% leaf defoliation caused buddleia to has filled most of its potential distribution in Europe, compensate with 52% greater total emergent leaf and has the potential to spread much further in area and longer leaf retention. The promising results Africa, North and and Australia. In from these and other studies are that repeated defo- New Zealand it was first recorded as naturalized in liation induces changes in nitrogen remobilization in 1946. It has become a serious problem in forests of the plant, and causes a subsequent decline in bio- the central North Island, where it hinders the estab- mass production of roots and flowers. The next step lishment of native and exotic trees. It is especially will be to examine the interactions between buddleia problematic in valued Pinus radiata plantations, growth and reproductive traits and defoliation by C. where it reduces growth of young plants by shading. japonicus. Successful biological control of buddleia could lead to a reduction in the use of herbicides currently Concern arose during the original host-specificity employed as the only effective means of weed control testing of C. japonicus surrounding a potential in establishing pine plantations, and result in signif- threat to Hebe speciosa, which is a culturally impor- icant cost savings to forestry companies. tant native plant to New Zealand Maori, because a single C. japonicus larva developed into an adult on Two weevils were identified in China as potential it. During the ensuing additional testing, no further biological control agents for buddleia, based on their individuals developed on either H. speciosa or other apparent host specificity, dispersal and abundance. Hebe species that were tested. However this example 4N Biocontrol News and Information 31(1) heightened the importance of monitoring field host has established rapidly and is off to a promising ranges of weed biological control agents post-release. start. The laboratory host testing of C. japonicus revealed 1 that, apart from ornamental Buddleja species, Kriticos, D.J., et al. (2009) A process-based popula- plants most at risk from non-target attack in New tion dynamics model to explore target and non-target Zealand are exotic weed species in the Scrophular- impacts of a biological control agent. Ecological Mod- elling 220(17), 2035–2050. iaceae, Scrophularia auriculata and virgatum, followed to a much lesser extent by 2 Thomas, M.M., et al. (2008) The impact of defolia- Myoporum laetum (Myoporaceae) and species in the tion on nitrogen translocation patterns in the woody Hebe genus (previously placed in the Scrophular- invasive plant, Buddleja davidii. Functional Plant iaceae). Verbascum virgatum was the only non- Biology 35, 462–469. target species present in New Zealand outside the 3 genus Buddleja which was found to be a complete Thomas, M.M., et al. (2008) Influence of defoliation host for C. japonicus. The other species are likely to on reproductive capacity and growth of Buddleja suffer from light feeding damage only, with no possi- davidii. Weed Research 49, 67–72. bility of self-sustaining populations of C. japonicus. By: Toni Withers & Michelle Watson, Scion, Rotorua, New Zealand. It was predicted that C. japonicus larvae pose the ([email protected]). most immediate threat by either dropping from the buddleia canopy onto non-target plants beneath, or falling upon abscised leaves of buddleia onto foliage DFID’s Biocontrol Best Bets of other plants below. Adult C. japonicus were pre- dicted to be a minimal threat to non-target plants, Biocontrol technologies figure in two of the projects unless buddleia plants become locally scarce, as they selected for funding under the first round of the UK are able to fly to new buddleia host plants and are Department for International Development (DFID) thus more selective. Research into Use (RIU) ‘Best Bets’ initiative. This innovative competitive funding mechanism is pro- This was studied further at four of the release sites viding UK£5 million of grant aid to a number of using three selected B. davidii plants that harboured large-scale technology promotion activities. C. japonicus and were within 20 m of the release area. One each of four non-target plants (S. auricu- Developed from a television reality show model, lata, V. virgatum, H. speciosa and M. laetum) were project ideas are pitched to an expert panel which planted at the edge of each buddleia canopy (as these recommends how the programme money should be plants are otherwise not sufficiently abundant invested, although the process is far less confronta- tional than the television version and the application locally to allow effective non-target monitoring). process is intended to be developmental and result in There was evidence that adult weevils visited all learning for both applicant organizations and RIU. non-target plants occasionally during the trial, but The objective is to identify promising proposals that numbers recorded were too low on the non-target take existing agriculture research knowledge and plants for meaningful analysis. The suspicion that put these into use in ways that will benefit the poor larvae would be able to spill over onto plants growing (and others) in developing countries through part- directly beneath the buddleia canopy was borne out nerships in which the private sector plays a major as larvae were recorded on all non-target species role. during the trial, with S. auriculata carrying the greatest number. However, the number of larvae on In the first round of the Best Bets programme, more B. davidii was substantially higher at all times. It than 100 project proposals from East, central and was at the warmest sites that spill-over of larvae southern Africa were short-listed to eight. Two repre- from heavily defoliated buddleia onto non-target sentatives of each short-listed project then ‘pitched’ plants was greatest. This field trial has verified the their proposal to an independent panel drawn from results of host-specificity testing of C. japonicus in leaders in the African business, finance, research both the laboratory and previous open-field trials. and development communities in Nairobi, Kenya, in Feeding damage and survival on the exotic weeds V. November 2009. Four of the projects were finally virgatum and, to a lesser extent, S. auriculata were selected for investment totalling more than £1.5 mil- predicted in the laboratory testing, with a clear pref- lion, and two of these include significant biocontrol erence being shown for the target weed, buddleia. components. Thankfully no New Zealand native plants, including H. speciosa, are likely to receive any non-target ‘Safe and affordable armyworm control tools’ impacts from C. japonicus. (SAACO-Tools), led by CABI Africa in partnership with the Eco-Agri consultancy services and the Min- It remains uncertain whether the rates of dispersal istry of Agriculture, Tanzania, will tackle armyworm and population increase measured to date by C. outbreaks in East Africa. Current heavy reliance on japonicus will be sufficient for this agent to be consid- imported pesticides and centralized armyworm fore- ered a success for New Zealand forest managers. casting does not meet the needs of the rural This is because the criteria for economic success smallholders. The project will establish a system for require C. japonicus to be able to exert sufficient the production, distribution and marketing of defoliation pressure to suppress buddleia height SAACO-Tools, i.e. a tool for local forecasting of out- within the first three years within newly planted for- breaks, and a cheaper biological pesticide for ests, a big ask! What is certain is that C. japonicus controlling them. News 5N

‘Farmer-applied biocontrols and seed treatments’, plants’ potential distribution, spread rate, difficulty led by the Real IPM Company Ltd (Thika, Kenya), of control, and impacts on the agricultural and con- will promote yield improvement in smallholder servation sectors. In addition, through analysing maize, sorghum and millet in Kenya’s Nyanza Prov- successful biocontrol programmes from around the ince. Working with small-scale farmers who save world, it will predict the best targets for biocontrol in their own seeds, the project aims to increase produc- New Zealand. tivity by using a mycoherbicide to control the parasitic weed Striga, and encouraging seed The management component has two objectives. The priming. Integrating the two techniques is expected first is to provide better weed control tools to improve to facilitate significant increases in yields. cost-effectiveness and efficacy, and reduce non- target damage. According to the leader of the The next round of RIU Best Bets will be held in Beating Weeds programme, Simon Fowler, “More Ghana in March 2010. research is needed into factors which limit agent effi- Source: DFID (www.researchintouse.com/index.php? ciency.” Work is planned on improving section=5&subsection=74). understanding of biocontrol agent ecology and evolu- tionary interactions, and exploring the potential of bacteria and viruses as control agents. In addition, Landcare Secures More Beating Weeds Funding recognizing that herbicides are commonly used for weed control, research will also look at substantially New Zealand’s Landcare Research has announced improving and refining herbicide efficiency and min- funding for six years from the Public Good Science imizing damage to non-target species. The second Fund for a second phase of the ‘Beating Weeds’ pro- objective is to quantify benefits of weed control for gramme. This collaborative venture is led by native biota and ecosystem services, rather than Landcare with major research inputs from two other focusing on management effort or impacts on target Crown Research Institutes (AgResearch and Scion), weeds. This will be done by developing bioeconomic universities (Auckland, Canterbury, Lincoln and models that combine new knowledge of invasive Massey) and the Department of Conservation. weed and native plant population ecology and the Beating Weeds II is divided into two parts: ‘Improved economics of different control methods. The aim is to targeting of weeds’ and ‘Improved environmental help managers to maximize ecosystem gains for the weed management’. amount spent on weed control.

The targeting component focuses on tackling weeds Source: What’s New in Biological Control of Weeds, before they become widespread, and includes contin- No. 50, November 2009. Landcare Research, uing current work on prioritizing potential and New Zealand Ltd 2009. emerging threats. Research in this area aims to enable end-users to do this by developing a robust, Contact: Simon Fowler, Landcare Research. quantitative system using models incorporating the ([email protected]). Conference Report

International Congress on Biological Invasions together towards managing biological invasions under global change”. The International Congress on Biological Invasions (ICBI; www.icbi2009.org) was held in Fuzhou, The congress drew more than 500 participants from China, on 2–6 November 2009, in response to the 44 countries. Australia was particularly well repre- global challenge of IAS (invasive alien species) and in sented, with participants from both the public and conjunction with the International Day for Biological private sectors. There were two plenary sessions Diversity – IAS in 2009, as well as the International (with keynote speeches, country reports, case studies Year of Biodiversity in 2010. It was planned, sup- and international organization reports), 14 symposia ported and jointly sponsored by the Chinese (covering basic research, technology development Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and CABI, and knowledge management, etc.), two pre-congress and organized by the Fujian Agriculture and For- workshops on ‘Managing invasive species risks: from estry University and Fujian Academy of Agriculture assessment of risks to management and recovery’ Sciences, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri- and ‘Canada–China Workshop’, and a sat- ellite meeting, ‘Bio-resource utilization of invasive Food Canada, CSIRO Australia, Kansas State Uni- plants’, as well as a poster session. versity, USA, USDA-APHIS (US Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection ICBI 2009 concluded with unanimous support for the Service), FAO/IAEA (UN Food and Agriculture ‘Fuzhou Declaration’ which has three main out- Organization/International Atomic Energy Agency), comes. (1) It calls on governments, international the Institute of Plant Protection of CAAS, the Chi- organizations and conventions to reaffirm their com- nese Society of Plant Protection, and GISP (Global mitment to implementing Article 8h of the Invasive Species Programme), with supplementary Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) financial support provided by The Crawford Fund (www.cbd.int/convention/articles.shtml?a=cbd-08). and AusAID. The aim of the congress was to (2) It establishes an International Expert Group on “strengthen international collaboration and work Biological Invasions to provide scientific, technical 6N Biocontrol News and Information 31(1) and policy guidance to ICBI. (3) It recommends that tists from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and the ICBI becomes a regular (four-yearly) international UK. The workshop developed a draft regional event on biological invasions. strategy and plans for the immediate future as well as the medium- and long-term on how the region can Publications in association with the congress include utilize biological control in agriculture, forestry and a ‘virtual issue’ of the Journal of Applied Ecology, environmental management in the Pacific. edited by Philip E. Hulme, with papers on ‘Key per- spectives in the management of biological invasions. Participants learnt about current biocontrol projects Access to these papers is free online (www.journal in the region, including those against: cycad ofappliedecology.org/view/0/virtualissueoct09.html). aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) in Palau – Plans are underway for a special issue of Biological the subject of an article in the General News section Invasions which will include the three best papers of this issue; Mikania micrantha in Fiji Islands and from each congress symposium, as judged by the PNG; Chromolaena in PNG; coconut scale (Aspidi- symposium convenors. A book entitled Research on otus destructor) in Cook Islands; and rhinoceros biological invasions in China, co-authored by CAAS beetle in Samoa. Future targets for biological control and CABI staff, with support from the CABI Devel- that were discussed included African tulip tree opment Fund, was distributed to the congress (Spathodea campanulata) and invasive ants. participants. A presentation from Mic Julien (CSIRO Australia) demonstrated the potential for simple, cheap and Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting fast results by moving safe biocontrol agents from one Pacific country to another, as illustrated by the The 4th Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) seen was held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 19–20 October in PNG being repeated in Fiji. Similarly, known 2009. This is the prime international meeting of the agents can be introduced from outside the region; e.g. biocontrol industry, and novel and safe biological tried-and-tested agents for Mimosa pigra from Aus- crop protection products were presented and new tralia with potential for PNG, and those for noogoora trends in the global market discussed. With the sup- burr (Xanthium pungens) for Fiji. The Pacific region port of the European Commission, the meeting was could also benefit from on-going research in other organized by the International Biocontrol Manufac- countries; e.g. from New Zealand efforts to identify turers Association (IBMA) and the Research biocontrol agents for banana passionfruit (Passiflora Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL). ABIM- mollissima). Lucerne provides an annual meeting place specifi- cally adapted to the needs of the biocontrol industry. Particular challenges for biocontrol work in the region were identified: extreme weather events and During the two days of the conference, over 350 del- climate change; and limited expertise, financial egates representing more than 200 companies and resources and quarantine facilities. However, with organizations from all over the globe exchanged biological control often the only logical response to experiences and obtained information on the latest invasive pests for the Pacific, traditional knowledge products and developments on the world market. of rural communities should also be exploited. The vast majority of company representatives were reported to be highly satisfied with the outcome of Discussions focused on lessons learnt in conducting the conference. biocontrol work and ways to develop a strategy for safely using this tool for managing invasive pest In the scientific programme, 25 presentations cov- threats in the region. For example, based on experi- ered the latest developments in market ences elsewhere, countries are to be urged to: (a) development, regulatory affairs and novel products consider eradication of pests before introducing bio- for plant protection. In addition to these presenta- control; (b) develop linkages between agriculture and tions, information was on display on stands and in biodiversity sectors so they are not at odds as has posters in the exhibition hall. All presentations are happened in the past; (c) strengthen biosecurity sys- now available for downloading. tems to stop new invasives entering the islands; (d) assess the extent or size of an invasion, get agree- The 5th ABIM, ABIM-Lucerne 2010, will be held on ment from all relevant stakeholders if the invasive is 25–26 October this year. The keynote themes and a targeted pest, and not use vertebrate animals for programme will be posted on the website. biocontrol or targets; (e) ensure completion of appro- Web: www.abim-lucerne.ch/ priate host testing, and not ‘rush in’ with biocontrol agents; and (f) take a regional approach and share costs and expertise so individual countries or organi- Pacific Biocontrol Workshop zations do not carry the burden. The Pacific Biocontrol Strategy Development Work- Public awareness was identified as critical to any shop, held in Auckland, New Zealand, in November successful biocontrol campaign. In some cases, bio- 2009 was attended by plant health and quarantine control agents must be accepted as part of an specialists from Fiji Islands, Cook Islands, Palau, integrated pest management strategy. Policy makers Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana must also be made aware of the benefits of biocontrol Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, American to facilitate the smooth introduction of useful biocon- Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Solomon Islands, Papua New trol agents, host-testing research and field release of Guinea (PNG), Vanuatu and Tonga, as well as scien- proven safe agents. News 7N

The Pacific Biocontrol Workshop ended by empha- The workshop was organized by the Secretariat of sizing that biocontrol is the only logical and the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Divi- sustainable solution for managing widespread or sion (LRD), Landcare New Zealand, the US localized invasive pests in the region, and stressing Department of Agriculture – Forest Service in the need to work together with the larger islands and Hawaii, the Pacific Invasives Initiative, and the countries to share knowledge, capacity and best Pacific Invasives Learning Network based at SPREP practice techniques. (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme). A steering group has now been set up to develop a regional biocontrol strategy for the Pacific and to Contact: Warea Orapa / LRD Helpdesk, SPC seek funding from donors for regional projects. ([email protected] / [email protected]). Conference Announcements

ENToM 2o1o Canada. ([email protected]). Web: www.iobcnrs.com/event_5-11-10.htm ENToM 2o1o, which takes place in Juan-les-Pins, , on 5–7 May 2010, aims to bring together the broad community of scientists working on ento- Biological Control for Nature mophagous organisms, from academics to applied scientists – notably those working in biological con- A Conference on Biological Control for Nature is trol – and thereby strengthen links between the being held in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, on disciplines. Although taking place under the aus- 3–7 October 2010. This meeting will explore the ben- pices of the 37th Annual Entomophagists’ Meeting, efits of classical biological control for the control of the organizers stress that the new name represents invasive insects and weeds in natural forests, and an expansion of its traditional remit to include all associated habitats such as wetlands, grasslands and entomophagous taxa: predators, fungi, nematodes, deserts. Applications to islands and other natural insectivorous plants and birds, as well as its tradi- systems will be included. The meeting will not tional area of insect parasitoids. address other forms of biological control (augmenta- tion, conservation, biopesticides), nor use of Contact: Xavier Fauvergue / Nicolas Ris (Xavier.Fau- biological control in plantation forestry. Numbers [email protected] / [email protected]). are limited to just 150 people so early registration is Web: https://colloque.inra.fr/entom2010 encouraged. Contact: Mark Hoddle / Roy Van Driesche Joint IOBC Nearctic/Neotropical Sections ([email protected] / [email protected]). Conference Web: http://biocontrolfornature.ucr.edu/ The Nearctic and Neotropical Regional Sections of the International Organization for Biological Control Invasive Species in Natural Areas of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC) are hosting a scientific conference on 11–13 May 2010 in Niagara The Northern Rockies Invasive Plant Council Falls, Ontario, Canada, with the theme ‘Biocontrol in (NRIPC) is holding the 2nd NRIPC Invasive Species the Americas – Past, Present and Future’. The in Natural Areas Conference in conjunction with sev- organizers say the current controversy over eral biocontrol consortia meetings and the W-2185 accessing and benefit sharing of biological resources Regional Workgroup at Coeur d'Alene Resort, Idaho, in other countries makes it important to better USA, on 25–29 October 2010. Although the meeting understand biological control programmes elsewhere is in the USA, it is by no means restricted to US and how technology can be shared to the mutual ben- researchers. Plenum speakers from Europe have efit of all parties. The keynote speaker for the been confirmed and colleagues from other continents meeting, Dr Jacques Brodeur, President of IOBC are encouraged to attend and present. Global, will provide an update on the IOBC Commis- Web: www.nripc.org/conferences.html sion on Biological Control and Access and Benefit Email: [email protected] Sharing. The conference will include symposia topics, addressed by invited speakers, on a wide range of topics including invasive pests, risks and Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control benefits of exploration for biocontrol agents in the Americas, ecosystem landscapes and habitat man- The 10th International Colloquium on Invertebrate agement for integrated pest management, Pathology and Microbial Control and 43rd Annual challenges and successes for commercialization and Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology implementation of biocontrol agents, microbial bio- will be held on 11–15 July 2010 at Karadeniz Tech- logical control, weed biocontrol, biological control nical University, Trabzon, Turkey. With insect- with egg parasitoids and more. Poster presentations specific pathogens as a subset of biological control are welcomed. agents, the meeting will be of interest to many BNI readers. Contact: Les Shipp, President, IOBC-Nearctic Regional Section, Agriculture and Agri-Food Web: www.sip2010.org/ 8N Biocontrol News and Information 31(1) Invasive Alien Plants in Mediterranean Type Combined Chromolaena and Parthenium Regions Workshops The 2nd Workshop on Invasive Alien Plants in Med- The 8th IOBC International Workshop on Biological iterranean Type Regions of the World is to be held on Control and Management of Chromolaena odorata 2–6 August 2010 in Samsun, Turkey. Ideas and pro- posals for sponsors and topics are welcome. This and Other Eupatorieae, and the 1st IOBC Interna- workshop, which is being organized by the Turkish tional Workshop on Biological Control and Plant Protection Organization, the Council of Europe Management of Parthenium hysterophorus will be and EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Pro- held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1–5 November 2010. tection Organization), will consist of two days of presentations and discussions, and will be followed Contact: Dr Costas Zachariades, ARC-PPRI, S. Africa. by two days of fieldwork. ([email protected] or Contact: Sarah Brunel, EPPO ([email protected]). [email protected]) Web: http://archives.eppo.org/MEETINGS/2010_ Web: www.arc.agric.za 'Quick Links' or conferences/mediterranean_ias.htm www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?pid=5229 Publications

Atkinson, P. W. (Ed) Vector biology, ecology and ISBN 9781402092015. Price: £99, $149, €109.95. control. Springer (2010) 260 pp. Web: www.springer.com ISBN 9789048124572 Price £117, $179, €129.95. Gisi, U.; Chet, I.; Gullino, M. L. (Eds) Recent Stewart, C. N., Jr. Weedy and invasive plant developments in management of plant diseases genomics. Wiley-Blackwell (2009) 272 pp. (Plant Pathology in the 21st Century, Vol. 1). ISBN 9780813822884 Price: £120, $199.99, €166.70. Springer (2010) 377 pp. ISBN 9781402088032 Walters, D. (Ed) Disease control in crops: biological Price £117, $169, €129.95. and environmentally-friendly approaches. Wiley- Prusky, D.; Gullino, M. L. (Eds) Post-harvest Blackwell (2009) 280 pp. ISBN 9781405169479 pathology (Plant Pathology in the 21st Century, Vol. Price: £99.50, $199.99. 2). Springer (2010) 211 pp. ISBN: 9781402089299 Web: www.wiley.com/ Price £90, $129, €99.95. Gnanamanickam, S. S. Biological control of rice Clout, M. N.; Williams, P. A. (Eds) Invasive spe- diseases (Progress in Biological Control, Vol. 8). cies management: a handbook of principles and Springer (2009) 108 pp. ISBN 9789048124640 Price: techniques. (Techniques in Ecology & Conservation) £90, $129, €99.95. Oxford University Press (2009) 320 pp. Lundgren, J. (Ed) Relationships of natural ene- ISBN: 9780199216321 Price: £65. Davis, M. A. Invasion Biology. Oxford University mies and non-prey foods (Progress in Biological Press (2009) 288 pp. ISBN 9780199218769 Control, Vol. 7). Springer (2009) 460 pp. Price: £32.50, $55. ISBN 9781402092343 Price: £117, $199, €129.95. Web: www.oup.co.uk/ Bruin, J.; van der Geest, L. P. S. (Eds) Diseases of mites and ticks (Reprinted from Experimental and Muniappan, R.; Reddy, G.V.P.; Raman, A. (Eds) Applied Acarology, 46:1–4). Springer (2009) 350 pp. Biological control of tropical weeds using . ISBN 9781402096945 Price: £112.50, $189, €124.95. Cambridge University Press (2009) 508 pp. Langor, D. W.; Sweeney, J. (Eds) Ecological ISBN 9780521877916 Price: £70, $126. impacts of non-native invertebrates and fungi on ter- Gange, A. C.; Brown, V. K.; (Eds) Multitrophic restrial ecosystems (Reprinted from Biological interactions in terrestrial systems: 36th Symposium Invasions, 11:1). Springer (2009) 157 pp. of the British Ecological Society (Symposia of the ISBN: 9781402096792 Price: £62.99, $109, €69.95. British Ecological Society). Cambridge University Inderjit (Ed) Management of invasive weeds Press (2009) 460 pp. ISBN 9780521100557 (Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Price: £29.99, $55. Ecology, Vol. 5) Springer (2008) 364 pp. Web: www.cambridge.org/