Biological Control of Hoary Cress

Biological control of hoary cress

Project started: 2001 Project scientist: Hariet L. Hinz Funded by in 2014: • Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee • Montana Weed Trust Fund through Montana State University • USDA, APHIS, CPHST • BLM through University of Idaho • Dep. of Agriculture, South Dakota • BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Consortium chair: Mark Schwarzländer for U.S. Brian Connely for Wyoming Potential biocontrol agents for hoary cress

Aceria draba TAG recommended release in May 2013!

Ceutorhynchus merkli Ceutorhynchus turbatus

TAG requested additional tests Ceutorhynchus cardariae Melanobaris sp. pr. semistriata Psylliodes wrasei

Ceutorhynchus assimilis Ceutorhynchus cardariae

Gall-forming weevil Stems, leaves, leaf stalks Partial second generation Oviposition at temperatures as low as 2.5 ºC (= 36.5 ºF) Paper on biology and field host range in native range published (J. Appl. Entomol.) Additional tests recommended

• No-choice tests with additional test species (especially in the genus Lepidium) • Expose all species that supported development in no-choice tests under multiple-choice conditions • Additional impact studies with non-targets • More tests to show that C. cardariae cannot maintain a population on non-targets with an annual life cycle • Try finding factors underlying the weevil’s apparent inconsistency in host plant acceptance Ceutorhynchus cardariae

Additional tests 2013-15 No-choice development tests with 35 new test species; all native to NA; incl. 3 T&E species  from 10 species adults emerged but on average at a much lower rate than on L. draba Ceutorhynchus cardariae

Streptanthus anceps Additional tests 2013-15 5 4

No-choice development tests with 35 3 new test species; nearly all native to NA; 2 incl. 3 T&E species 1 0

Mean number of galls developed of number galls Mean pop1 pop2 pop3 pop4 pop5

 from 10 species adults emerged but 2.0

on average at a much lower rate than 1.5

on L. draba 1.0

0.5

Variability in suitability between 0.0 Mean number of adults emerged of number adults Mean pop1 pop2 pop3 pop4 pop5 populations of certain test species Cooperations

• With the University of Neuchâtel • Trying to find chemical compounds that are correlated with the suitability of plants to act as a host of C. cardariae • Ideally, try and predict, based on metabolomic data, if a plant will be resistant or susceptible to the weevil

Ted TurlingsGaetan Glauser Veronica Marcari Thomas Junier Ceutorhynchus cardariae

Additional tests 2013-15 Multiple-choice cage tests with 7 native NA plant species that supported development in NCT

 5 species attacked, but to a much lower degree as hoary cress (12-13 adults emerged from controls vs. 0.2-1.2 from test plants) N Distribution point L. draba L. nitidum 5 m S. anceps pop1 S. flavescens S. glandulosus 2.5 m spp. glandulosus 1 m

W E

S 20 Lepidium draba Results from open-field test 2015 15

Mean number of galls developed of number galls Mean 0 1.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 Lepidium nitidum Streptanthus anceps Distance 20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

Mean number of galls developed of number galls Mean 0 1.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 0 1.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 Distance Distance

S. flavescens S. glandulosus 20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

Mean number of galls developed of number galls Mean 0 1.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 0 1.0 2.5 5.0 10.0 Distance Distance C. cardariae - conclusions

Completed most additional tests requested by TAG Spill-over attack could occur on some plant species if they grow in close proximity to L. draba Plan to submit additional host range data this winter to TAG Ceutorhynchus turbatus Seed-feeding weevil Host-range tests 2004-15: No-choice tests with 77 test species and varieties (> half native to NA)  eggs on 12 test species

In larval development tests with nine species, only the closely related European L. campestre supported development

During tests, 57-84% of L. draba seeds are destroyed by adult or larval feeding vs. usually < 10% in test species Ceutorhynchus assimilis

Root-gall forming weevil Specific strain in southern France, northern Spain and Italy Work shared with USDA, ARS, EBCL Lays eggs in autumn, under favourable conditions all through winter (≤ 41 ºF) Establishment and persistence likely in WA, OR and CA but rather unlikely in WY, MT and ID Ceutorhynchus assimilis

No-choice development tests 2013-15 55 test species exposed  adults emerged from 13 species

Multiple-choice cage test 2013 and 14 12 test species and hoary cress exposed  eggs laid on 4 test species  but: 0.7-2.8 eggs on test plants vs. 58 eggs on L. draba

Multiple-choice cage test autumn 2015 7 test species and hoary cress exposed Ceutorhynchus merkli

Shoot-mining weevil Inconsistent test results at CABI Conducted two open-field tests in southern Russia Apart from L. draba, larvae or mining only found in one test species, the European, Nasturtium officinale However, attack levels on L. draba not satisfactory Additional field surveys

Conducted opportunistic surveys in combination with other projects (PPW), unfortunately no additional potential agents found

Georgia Bulgaria

Armenia Plans for 2016

Summarize additional host range data and re- submit petition for C. cardariae to TAG Maintain rearing at CABI and send C. cardariae as requested to US quarantine facilities Continue host range tests with C. turbatus and C. assimilis at CABI Conduct further tests with C. merkli in southern Russia?? Biological control of dyer‘s woad

Project started: 2004

Project scientist: Hariet L. Hinz

Funded by in 2015: • Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee • USDA, APHIS, CPHST • BLM through University of Idaho Counterparts: Jim Hull (Task Force Chair, Idaho) Andy Currah (Consortium chair, WY) Potential agents Ceutorhynchus peyerimhoffi

Metaculus sp.

Aulacobaris fallax

Psylliodes isatidis

Ceutorhynchus rusticus Potential agents Ceutorhynchus peyerimhoffi

Metaculus sp.

Aulacobaris fallax

Psylliodes isatidis

Ceutorhynchus rusticus Ceutorhynchus rusticus

Root-crown mining weevil Larvae develop in plants from autumn until spring Larval mining can reduce biomass by 46% and seed production by 72%; heavy attack can kill overwintering rosettes Ceutorhynchus rusticus

No-choice development tests 2005-14 Including tests set up in autumn 2014, we have now exposed 104 species in no-choice tests (67 native to NA)

 Adults emerged from 7 so far

Adult emergence from controls not always satisfactory Open-field test with C. rusticus in autumn 2014

A Test plants (Stanleya pinnata and S. viridiflora)

B Dyer’s woad

= release point of 16 C. rusticus pairs

Distance in plot A = 50 cm Distance in plot B = 2 m In 2014 Results fromopen-field testwith

Mean # eggs 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 1 2 ststntraSaly int S. viridiflora pinnata Stanleya tinctoria Isatis C. rusticus 2.0 m 2.0 m 0.5 Ceutorhynchus peyerimhoffi

Seed-feeding weevil No-choice tests in 2009-2015: 107 test species exposed (2/3 native NA, 4 T&E species)  eggs found in 27

Development tests conducted with 25 of the 27 species  alive mature larvae only found in two test plant species apart from dyer’s woad

Unfortunately, one is a federally listed T&E species… Ceutorhynchus peyerimhoffi

Seed-feeding weevil Oogenesis test with Boechera hoffmannii in 2015: On 1 of 2 plants established eggs and dead larvae found

Multiple-choice field cage test with B. hoffmannii and Streptanthus heterophyllusin 2015: No eggs or feeding on B. hoffmannii; 2.7 eggs on S. heterophyllus vs 21.0 eggs on dyer’s woad Study to quantify impact of C. peyerimhoffi

Up to 70% of seeds destroyed Metaculus sp.

In collaboration with Massimo Cristofaro, BBCA, Italy and Radmila Petanovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia Found in 2006 in Turkey and described as M. rapistri, an oligophagous species Likely that mite on Isatis is different and specific to dyer’s woad, more analysis would be needed Plans for 2016

Monitor plants exposed to C. rusticus in no-choice development tests in autumn 2015 for adult emergence in spring

Complete no-choice tests and repeat multiple-choice cage test with C. peyerimhoffi  Prepare petition for field release in winter 2016

Conduct morphological and molecular analysis on specimens of the mite Metaculus sp. on dyer’s woad and develop methods for host-specificity tests Biological control of perennial pepperweed

Project started: 2006 Project scientists in 2015: Sonja Stutz, Esther Gerber & Hariet Hinz (CABI) in collaboration with Massimo Cristofaro (BBCA, Italy) Funded by in 2015: • Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee • USDA, APHIS, CPHST • BLM, Idaho Consortium chair: Nancy Peiropan in Wyoming Potential biological control agents

Phyllotreta reitteri  Work discontinued due to wide fundamental host range

Melanobaris sp. near semistriata  Work postponed since adults would need to be collected in eastern Turkey, which is under military and police control Ceutorhynchus marginellus

Gall-forming weevil

Population under study originating from southern Russia

No-choice oviposition and larval development tests at CABI in quarantine (2008-2014): • Tests with 102 species/varieties • Adults emerged from 33 Ceutorhynchus marginellus

Multiple-choice cage tests (Russia) 26 species exposed  6 species attacked

Open-field tests (Russia) 17 species exposed  3 Lepidium species attacked: L. perfoliatum (EU) and L. huberi and L. virginicum (NA) Multiple-choice cage and open-field tests in southern Russia Ceutorhynchus marginellus

Survival tests 4 NA Lepidium species tested  L. crenatum, L. huberi: suboptimal hosts  L. eastwoodiae: similar survival and fecundity as on controls  L. virginicum: no clear results Lepidium crenatum USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database Additional field surveys

To find Melanobaris sp. near semistriata and the eriophyid mite Metaculus lepidifolii and to search for potential new agents

Georgia Bulgaria

Armenia Additional field surveys

Georgia

20 sites surveyed: • M. lepidifolii was detected on two sites Tbilisi but in low densities • No new agents found Additional field surveys Armenia 15 sites surveyed: • Larvae of two root-mining weevil species

Yerevan • Scale insect (Porphyrophora sp.) • Symptoms of mite attack but no mites Metaculus lepidifolii

Eriophyid mite collected in Turkey

Mite was recorded near Kayseri in 2008: • Open field test attempts have been performed several times in Western and Eastern Turkey • Until 2014, we were not able to get any establishment on the test plants (including the control) in field conditions Metaculus lepidifolii 2015

Open-field Test in 2015: • Set up an official cooperation with the Erciyes University, Kayseri; • Setting of a “field station” in Cappadocia (in the hotel room); • PPW wild populations checked under the stereo-microscope to detect mite presence • Inoculation of the test plants with infested cuttings Metaculus lepidifolii 2015

• Open-field test: 11 plant species, replicated 10 times • PPW (Turkey) was infested (80% of replicates) • PPW (USA) was infested but very low numbers of mites Metaculus lepidifolii 2015 Metaculus lepidifolii 2016 Plans for 2016 If a suitable field site can be found conduct a large scale open-field test with C. marginellus in Russia

Confirm that M. lepidifolii from Turkey does not attack the most common US genotype of PPW

Conduct additional surveys in China and/or Kazakhstan to obtain a mite strain better adapted to the most common genotype of PPW in the USA Biological control of Russian knapweed, Rhaponticum repens

Project started: 1997 Project scientists: Urs Schaffner, since 2007 in collaboration with Massimo Cristofaro (BBCA) Funded by in 2015: Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee, USDA-APHIS-CPHST, Montana Weed Trust Fund Consortium chair: Nancy Pieropan (Wyoming) Two biological control agents established in North America

Aulacidea acroptilonica • Released in 2008 • Established in Montana, Wyoming (USA) and Alberta (Canada)

Jaapiella ivannikovi • Released in 2009 • Etablished in several states in the USA and in Alberta • Outbreak densities observed in Colorado Galeruca sp. from Uzbekistan

• Taxonomy unclear, two different IDs • Adults and larvae in early spring • Host-range under no-choice conditions likely to be restricted to genera Centaurea and Saussurea • Open-field experiment in Uzbekistan with 3 critical test plant species; Saussurea was also attacked

• Work on this species suspended Aceria acroptiloni

• Attacks young shoots, later on flower buds • In the field on Russian knapweed only • Described in the 1970s, but the three female forms are three different species; revision underway • Causes high impact on growth (40- 70%) and seed output (95-98%) of Russian knapweed Aceria acroptiloni – host range testing

• Open-field host-range test improved in 2012 • First successful host-range test under quarantine conditions in 2013 (ransferring mite-infested flower buds with bracts removed)

Goals for 2015: • Continue and extend host-range testing in the field • Continue no-choice tests in quarantine Aceria acroptiloni – open-field host range testing

2014: 26 plant species Mites found on: •Rhaponticum repens (low numbers) •Lactuca serriola (on a single plant)

2015: 31 plant species; inoculation by: •Transferring infested flower buds onto test plants •Transplanting infested Russian knapweed plants into the common garden Results from 2015 pending Russian knapweed mite – quarantine host range testing 2015: •257 tests set up with 10 plant species •Live mites found on Russian knapweed and artichoke, but on none of the other test plant species 2013-2015: 31 plant species tested Mites found > 2 weeks after inoculation on: •Rhaponticum repens •Cynara scolymus •Centaurea americana •Centaurea rothrockii (single mites) Russian knapweed mite – conflicting results from host range testing

Quarantine testing: • Mites survived for 3-4 weeks on artichoke and two Centaurea spp. • No mites survived on any of the other test plants Open-field testing: • Mites found on two distantly related test plant species (Aster and Lactuca) • No mites found on artichoke and Centaurea spp. 2016: closely monitor open-field experiment in Iran Russian knapweed – work plan 2016

Aulacidea acroptilonica and Jaapiella ivannikovi from Uzbekistan: • Collect galls and send to US quarantine (upon request) Aceria acroptiloni from Iran: • Continue host-range testing under field conditions • Continue host-range testing in quarantine • Emphasize on understanding the different results from quarantine and open-field host range testing • Confirm molecular identity of the mites found in the host-range tests Biological control of Russian olive

Project started: 2007 Project scientist: Urs Schaffner, in collaboration with Massimo Cristofaro (BBCA) FundedConsortium by in chair: 2015: •Lars Wyoming Baker Biological (Wyoming) Control Steering Committee • Montana Weed Trust Fund through Montana State University Russian Olive – prioritizing candidates for biological control

• Conflict of interests when planted trees would die • Therefore, focus on biological control agents that reduce reproductive output • If the management goal for specific habitats is reduction in Russian olive density, biological control may have to be combined with other management options Assumption: • Invasion of riparian habitats in North America occurs through seed dispersal Russian Olive – field surveys Aceria angustifoliae (Acari)

• Damages shoot tips where flowers and fruits develop • Host-specificity: - Open-field test in Iran - Quarantine tests at CABI • Taxonomic studies in Serbia (Dr Radmila Petanovic) • Experimental impact studies in Turkey • (Observational impact studies previously done in Turkey) Aceria angustifoliae – quarantine tests 2015

No. shoots No. shoots No. mites/ Origin Taxon inoculated with mites leaf Elaeagnus angustifolia 15 13 12.0 ± 6.4 NA Elaeagnus commutata 12 0 0 NA Shepherdia rotundifolia 24 0 0 NA Shepherdia argentea 90 0 NA Karwinskia humboldtiana 15 0 0 NA Condalia hookeri 18 0 0 NA Colubrina texensis 18 0 0 Aceria angustifoliae – host-range under field conditions

• NA test species shipped to Iran • Set-up of common garden with Russian olive and test plant species • Test and control species repeatedly inoculated in 2011- 2015 Aceria angustifolia – open-field test 2015

Origin Taxon # of trees # of trees with # of mites mite attack Elaeagnus angustifolia 10 4 Low NA E. commutata 10 0 E. umbellata 10 0 C Hippophae rhamnoides 10 0 NA Shepherdia argentea 10 0 Rhamnus cathartica 10 0 NA Ziziphus spina-christi 10 0 Frangula alnus 10 0 C Malus pyrus 10 0 NA Prunus armeniacus 10 0 C Morus nigra 10 0

Aceria angustifolia – summary of pre-release studies

• 31 test plant species tested under no-choice conditions, including: a) all North American members of the family Elaeagnaceae, and b) representatives of 10 out of the 13 genera of the family Rhamnaceae with native NA species • 72 % of inoculations of the target weed successful • In total, 8 mites found alive on Elaeagnus commutata two weeks after inoculation; no live mites found on any of the other test plant species • Observation studies revealed a significantly lower number of fruits on mite-infested branches Aceria angustifoliae – impact

Experimental approach (Iran):

• In mid April 2015, 10 Russian olives have been planted at the Mashhad University Field Station; • At the end of May, 2015, 5 branches per tree have been infested by using the “sandwich technique”; • Infestation rate and impact on flower and fruit productions was evaluate in the summer (July) Aceria angustifoliae – impact

Experimental approach (Iran):

Experimental approach (Turkey):

• In mid April 2015, 20 Russian olive saplings have been purchased and transplanted in a field plot at the Erciyes University Campus, Kayseri, Turkey; • Plants were still too small to perform any open field impact test (only leaves, without flower production); • Impact test will be carried out in 2016. Aceria angustifoliae – impact

Experimental approach (Turkey):

• In April 2015, 20 Russian olive saplings have been purchased and transplanted in a field plot at the Erciyes University campus, Kayseri, Turkey • Plants were still too small/stressed to perform any open field impact test (only leaves without flower production) • Impact test will be carried out in 2016 Aceria angustifoliae – impact

Experimental approach (Turkey):

• In April 2015, 20 Russian olive saplings have been purchased and transplanted in a field plot at the Erciyes University campus, Kayseri, Turkey; • Plants were still too small/stressed to perform any open field impact test (only leaves without flower production); • Impact test will be carried out in 2016. Aceria angustifoliae – impact

Comparative approach (2011):

July 15 August 25 25 25 *** *** 20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5 No fruitsNo per branch No fruitsNo per branch

0 0 unattacked attacked unattacked attacked shoot shoot shoot shoot segments segments segments segments Aceria elaeagnicola

• According to the literature, a Aceria elaeagnicola feeds exclusively on Russian olive • The species was found in 2013 in Turkey and 2014 in Armenia • Vagrant rather than gall-former Aceria elaeagnicola – biology

• Aceria eleagnicola collected in Serbia and transferred onto potted Russian olive trees

• Results are pending Ananarsia eleagnella (Gelechiidae)

• According to literature, host-range is restricted to genus Elaeagnus • Feeds inside fruits, damages the seeds • First generation mines in shoot tips

• Ongoing studies on biology and oviposition behaviour under lab and field-cage conditions Ananarsia eleagnella – no-choice host range testing

• Single choice experiments offering fruits of E. angustifolia and a test plant species to larvae of A. eleagnella

• Results are pending Ananarsia eleagnella – Open-field host range testing

• A. eleagnella occurs in high densities at the experimental farm of Mashhad University • In 2014, first three test plant species in the common garden experiment produced fruits

• Results from 2015 are pending Russian olive - work plan 2016

Aceria angustifoliae • Continue open-field host range test in Iran • Continue impact studies in Turkey • Write petition for field release in winter 2016 Aceria elaeagnicola • Study biology • Obtain more information on impact Ananarsia eleagnella • Continue with field host-range test in Iran • Continue with single-choice lab tests Search for new biological control candidates in Iran, China and Uzbekistan Camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum

Project not officially started yet Project scientists: Hariet L. Hinz (CABI) Massimo Cristofaro (BBCA) Radmila Petanovic (University of Belgrade) Hariet L. Hinz (CABI CH) Potential funding in 2016: BIA

US counterparts: Mark Schwarzländer (UoI) Camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum

Perennial shrub with prickly thorns Legume (pea) family Native to arid areas of the Old World Declared noxious weed in 8 states Most invasive in the southwest and a new invader in the northwest Preliminary literature survey

• Root-boring buprestid beetles (up to three different species) • A root-boring moth • At least two leaf beetles (Galericunae and Chryptocephalinae) • Four seed feeding weevils (Bruchidius fulvus and 3 Tychius spp.) • A gall forming wasp (Erytomidae) • A gall forming leafhopper • A fungal pathogen (Rhizoctonia bataticola) Opportunistic field surveys

Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Uzbekistan - Eriophyid mite (new species!) - At least three species of Lepidotychius weevil - One weevil in genus Ptochella - Two species of Diorhabda leaf beetle

Lepidotychius winkleri Mite attack in Turkey Mite attack on apices of plants

Diorhabda leaf beetle

Plans for 2016

Depending on funding:

Conduct additional surveys Start with observational studies on some of the species Description of the mite Start to develop test plant list and obtain plants Biological control of toadflaxes

Project started: 1960’s…1980’s…2000’s Project scientists: Ivo Toševski and André Gassmann Funded by in 2015: •Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee •USDA-APHIS-CPHST •Montana Weed Trust Fund through MSU •South Dakota Dep. of Agriculture •BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Consortium chairs: Rosemarie DeClerck-Floate (Can) Andrew Norton (USA), Josh Shorb (WY) Biocontrol agents – summary (1) Rhinusa antirrhini Species released (Can1993) Establ. on DT

Calophasia lunula (1962/68) Eteobalea serratella Established on DT/YT (YT:1991/96) Establ. not confirmed

Gymnetron linariae Eteobalea intermediella DT/YT: 1996). (DT:1991/96) Establ. Establ. not confirmed not confirmed Biocontrol agents – summary (2) Species released

Mecinus janthinus (Can 1994) Mecinus janthiniformis Established on YT (1991/96) (Released as M. janthinus) Established on DT Successful species!

Rhinusa pilosa (Can 2014) Established on YT Rhinusa pilosa Host plant: yellow toadflax

Shoot-gall forming weevil Oviposition occurs on the upper part of the shoot Overwinters as adults Univoltine Released in BC and in Alberta in May 2014 Gall development was confirmed at all seven release sites in 2014 Adult survival low in 2015

Elkford, BC Rhinusa pilosa species complex Confirmed localities for Rhinusa pilosa in the west Palearctic New pop. found in 2014

? ?

? ? ? ?

? genotype under study genotype Rp-A bis genotype Rp-A genotype Rp-B Rhinusa pilosa species complex

Rhinusa pilosa populations from Linaria vulgaris in south-east Europe consist of two genotype groups on mtCOII gene: Rp-A genotype group mostly of South European distribution (Balkan peninsula) Rp-B genotype group mostly of East European distribution; Released populations of R. pilosa in Canada originate from Rp-A genotype group (actually only one of 22 genotypes recorded in EU is present in NA); Genetic drift and inbreeding may affect the success of R. pilosa in NA  Increase genetic diversity in NA!

(Toševski et al., 2014, Systematic Entomology) Rhinusa pilosa species complex

Rhinusa pilosa: field release program started in 2014 with Laboratory population established in 2008 (Lethbridge, Canada) Status in 2015: Only one out of 22 genotypes recorded in Europe is present in NA! Problem: drift and inbreeding may affect successful establishment of R. pilosa in NA Solution: increasing genetic diversity of R. pilosa in NA; in addition a genotype was recently discovered in Northern Europe that might be better adapted to colder climates in NA Potential benefits of population genetics of the Rhinusa pilosa species complex Selecting genotypes for specific purpose

The genotype recently discovered in northern Europe (≈60º N) might be better adapted to much lower temperature regime

This genotype group may contribute to successful establishment of R. pilosa in colder areas in the USA and Canada

Rhinusa pilosa galls from north central Denmark, 2014 Biocontrol agents – summary (3) Species not released yet

Mecinus heydeni Mecinus laeviceps Target: YT Target: DT

Rhinusa rara Mecinus peterharrisi Target: DT Target: DT Rhinusa rara Host plant: Dalmatian toadflax

Shoot-gall forming weevil Oviposition in late winter on the lower part of the shoot Overwinters as adults Univoltine Host range studies completed in 2015 R. rara galls on DT, Serbia As for R. pilosa, larval development restricted to a few EU Linaria spp. A few atypical galls without larval development on two native NA Sairocarpus species PETITION WILL SUBMITTED IN 2016 Mecinus spp. Dalmatian toadflax Yellow toadflax

M. laeviceps: test almost completed M. heydeni: test almost completed (77 plant species; 55 NA): (74 plant species; 49 NA): Some larval development on two native Some larval development on four NA species native NA species Adults do NOT overwinter in Oviposition 2 months earlier than M.j. stems (unlike M. j.) Larvae in shoot base Adults do NOT overwinter in stems (unlike M. j.).  pot. advantage for establishment

M. peterharrisii: under study (17 plant species; 10 NA) Occurs at higher elevations Potential advantage for establishment in Northern regions >300 adults have been collected in 2015 for tests in 2016 Mecinus spp.

The host range of all Mecinus species is quite similar

Oviposition and larval development on a few NA native species, e.g. Sairocarpus, Nuttallanthus, Maurandella, in no- choice tests

Mecinus spp. are less specific than Rhinusa spp. under no- choice conditions, but sequential and multiple-choice field cage tests show more promising results. Plans for 2016+

Prepare petition for Rhinusa rara on Dalmatian toadflax

Mass rear R. pilosa and R. rara for release in NA Complete host range testing with Mecinus heydeni and M. laeviceps (1-2 years) Continue screening M. peterharrisii

All species are complementary in terms of their period of attack, plant part attack, overwintering mode, and geographical distribution Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Project started: 1988 Project scientist: Hariet L. Hinz Funded by in 2015: USDA-APHIS-CPHST Counterparts: Rosemarie DeClerck-Floate (Can) Mark Schwarzländer (USA) Mogulones Mogulones crucifer borraginis

Mogulones Longitarsus trisignatus Quadriguttatus

Cheilosia Rabdorrhynchus pascuorum varius Mogulones Mogulones crucifer borraginis Released in Canada 1997 prohibited in U.S.

Mogulones Longitarsus Trisignatus Quadriguttatus Research post- Released in Canada poned in 1997

Cheilosia Rabdorrhynchus pascuorum varius USDA APHIS PPQ issues Pest Alert for Mogulones crucifer in 2010 Mogulones borraginis

Seed-feeding weevil Larvae develop in the seeds; adults feed on the flowers One weevil pair can reduce seed output by up to 60% Host range results 1993 – 2010

Single-choice oviposition tests

 Of 56 test plant species tested (18 native to NA), seven species accepted for oviposition, only one (C. grande) native to NA

 Total of 3 eggs found in tests in C. grande fruits vs. 61 eggs in respective control plant fruits

Larval development tests • Tests with 17 plant species • Successful larval development restricted to species in the genus Cynoglossum, including the native C. grande In three single-choice cage tests offering C. grande together with houndstongue, C. grande was never attacked Oogenesis test with M. borraginis

Females only fed houndstongue or only fed C. grande; dissected females and checked for egg development

C. grande C. officinale

Mature eggs Host range results 1993 – 2010

Seed volume measurements

 Calculated resource for larval development of test plant species through estimation of fruit volume

 Developmental studies showed that complete M. borraginis larval development requires 14.8 ± 0.4 mm3 of fruit

 Of 24 test plant species (16 native NA) measured, only two natives, Lithospermum ruderale and Hackelia californica as well as the 2 congeners of houndstongue have fruit sizes close or exceeding the threshold Plans for 2016

Submit petition for Mogulones borraginis Maintain rearing of M. borraginis at CABI Send M. borraginis to US quarantine facility in view of future field releases Biological control of hawkweeds

Project started: 2000 Project scientist: Ghislaine Cortat Funded by in 2015: • Montana Weed Trust Fund through MSU • USDA, APHIS, CPHST • BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Consortium chairs: USA: Jeff Littlefield (Montana State University) Canada: Rosemarie DeClerck-Floate (AAFC, Lethbridge) Aulacidea subterminalis Biocontrol agents in NZ

Oxyptilus pilosellae

Cheilosia psilophthalma Cheilosia urbana

Macrolabis pilosellae Aulacidea subterminalis  Biocontrol agents for NA Oxyptilus pilosellae

Cheilosia () psilophthalma Cheilosia urbana ()

Macrolabis pilosellae Aulacidea subterminalis

Cynipid wasp inducing galls on the stolons of P. aurantiaca, P. flagellaris and P. officinarum

Host-specificity testing conducted by Jeff Littlefield

First releases in BC and Montana in summer 2011

Establishment confirmed on P. flagellaris in BC Cheilosia urbana

Root-feeding hoverfly attacks several Pilosella species One generation per year

A joint petition for field release in Canada and the U.S. has been submitted in December 2014 Plants targeted: P. aurantiaca, P. caespitosa, P. floribunda, P. glomerata, P. officinarum and P. piloselloides Puccinia hieracii var. piloselloidarum

Rust collected in Europe, on several Pilosella species Accidentaly introduced to NZ, established on P. officinarum

CABI conducted field collections and shipments to AAFC Studies put on hold since infection on P. caespitosa failed Aulacidea pilosellae

Cynipid wasp inducing galls on the midrib of leaves, stolons and stems of several Pilosella species

Two forms are known that differ in life history, host preference and distribution A. pilosellae ex P. officinarum

Bivoltine Normal host is P. officinarum Collected from Switzerland, southern Germany, eastern Germany and Poland A. pilosellae ex P. officinarum

2003-2015: host range tests with a colony pooled from southern collection locations 42 species and plant populations exposed in no-choice development tests Attack on most targets, but preferred host is P. officinarum Limited attack on 3 native Hieracium species in no- choice tests. So far no attack in choice tests No attack on species outside the genera Pilosella and Hieracium Impact on P. officinarum

Competition by Festuca idahoensis and three densities of A. pilosellae ex P. officinarum Grass competition had the largest impact Wasp attack reduced shoot height by up to 60% and total stolon length by 26% A. pilosellae ex Pilosella spp.

Univoltine Preferred hosts in the field are P. caespitosa and P. glomerata Collected from Poland, the Czech Republic and eastern Germany A. pilosellae ex Pilosella spp.

2003-2015: host range tests with a colony pooled from all collection locations 43 species and plant populations exposed in no-choice development tests Attack on most targets, but preferred hosts are P. caespitosa and P. glomerata Limited attack on one Eurasian and 4 native Hieracium spp. in no-choice tests. Only very limited attack on one species in choice tests No attack on species outside the genera Pilosella and Hieracium Plans for 2016

• Continue with no-choice tests with A. pilosellae ex P. officinarum

• Continue with no-choice tests with A. pilosellae ex Pilosella spp.

• Expose test species attacked under no-choice conditions in multiple-choice cage tests Biological control of common tansy

Project started: 2006

Project scientist: André Gassmann and Ivo Toševski

Funded by in 2014: • BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; • Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture • Canada-Saskatchewa Growing Forward 2 Bi-Lateral Agreement • Alberta invasive Species Council • Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund through MSU Test plant list 57 species are included in the test plant list, including 28 native NA species; The most critical test plants are: Native NA Tanacetum species including "Tanacetum huronense", "Tanacetum camphoratum", and "Tanacetum douglasii “; all of which are synonymized under T. bipinnnatum in the Flora of North America.

Tanacetum huronense Achillea alpina Artemisia tridentata Biocontrol candidates – summary (1)

Isophrictis striatella (Gelechiidae)

Cassida stigmatica (Chrysomelidae)

Phytoecia nigricornis (Cerambycidae)

Longitarsus noricus (Chrysomelidae) Rhopalomyia tanaceticola (Cecidomyiidae) Results so far Five candidate agents rejected so far because of lack of specificity in no-choice and choice conditions

Example 1: Galls by R. tanaceticola on T. camphoratum NA

Example 2: Few tests carried out with Isophrictis striatella but Artemisa alpina NA is a suitable host in no-choice conditions; The impact on the target plant is also questionable (mining in the FLH and dry shoots) Biocontrol candidates – summary (2)

? Platyptilia ochrodactyla (Pterophoridae) ? Microplontus millefollii (Curculionidae) Microplontus millefolii

Stem-mining weevil

Areas surveyed: The species was found to be most abundant in the area of St-Petersburg, Russia Microplontus millefolii

No-choice tests carried out with 18 species: Some oviposition and larval development on T. camphoratum NA, T. huronense NA and T. parthenium

In repeated caged choice tests and open- field tests in Russia only very occasional attack on these plant species Platyptilia ochrodactyla

Flower feeding and stem-mining moth

Larval mining clearly stunts shoots Platyptilia ochrodactyla Very few no-choice oviposition tests Oviposition difficult to obtain in captivity Synchronisation between the flowering period and the moth reproductive activity difficult More collection sites and larval material needed to synchronise adult emergence with plant phenology

Left: collection site in Germany with dry stems from previous year, early May; right: similar site in early Sept. Plans 2016

Microplontus millefolii: Continue no-choice oviposition tests Carry out a large scale open-field test in Russia

Platyptilia ochrodactyla: Continue no-choice oviposition tests Find additional collection sites Biocontrol candidates – summary (2)

?? ? Ozirhincus tanaceti  Platyptilia ochrodactyla (Cecidomyiidae) (Pterophoridae) ? Microplontus millefollii (Curculionidae) ? Potential species

? Oncotylus punctipes (Miridae) ? ? Dichrorampha spp. (Tortricidae) Meliboeus graminoides (Buprestidae) Additional candidate agents (1) ?

Dicrorampha spp. (Torticidae): A complex of over ten root-boring species, most of them polyphagous; identification of larvae difficult

Meliboeus graminoides (Buprestidae):

Root-boring beetle not found yet; biology and geographical distribution largely unknown (central Russia?) Additional candidate agents (2) ?

Ozirhincus tanaceti (Cecidomyiidae) A seed finding midge; specificity? Impact certainly negligeable infested

healthy

Oncotylus punctipes (Miridae) A sap sucking bug; specificity? Impact?

Damage by mirids (?) Collaborators

Russia: Margarita Dolgovskaya and Sergey Reznik

Ukraine: Sergei and Andrii Mosyakin

Romania: Alecu Diaconu

Germany: Jona Friese Biological control of field bindweed

Project start: 2009 Project scientists: Ghislaine Cortat & Hariet in collaboration with Peter Toth (Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra) Funded by in 2015: USDA, APHIS, CPHST U.S. counterpart: Richard Hansen Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Perennial vine with an extensive root system Two biological control agents released in North America (establishment and impact variable) Dissmissed…

Longitarsus pellucidus (Col.: Chrysomelidae) Longitarsus rubiginosus

Associated with Convolvulus arvensis, and Calystegia sepium, in Europe Adults feed on the leaves; larvae feed on the roots 21 test plant species exposed … Because 21 test plant species exposed in larval transfer tests: development on several Convolvulus and Calystegia spp. Multiple-choice cage tests with L. pellucidus: all test plants attacked

Open-field test with both flea-beetles: L. rubiginosus emerged from two NA test plant species L. pellucidus only emerged from C. arvensis, but in low numbers Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Perennial vine with an extensive root system Two biological control agents released in North America (establishment and impact variable) Additional potential agents: - Melanagromyza albocilia - Emmelia trabealis - Hypocassida subferruginea Test plant list is being revised Seeds/plants of 40 test species already obtained, 29 native to NA Melanagromyza albocilia (Dip, Agromyzidae)

Stem- and root-mining fly Two generations per year Larvae produce an exit hole prior to pupation Stems above exit holes break easily and often die back 2010-15: • > 10’000 plants collected in Germany and dissected, • > 1400 puparia extracted • Establishing a rearing colony failed Melanagromyza albocilia (Dip, Agromyzidae)

Oviposition tests • 13 spp. Convolvulus, Calystegia, Dichondra, Hyosciamus and Ipomoea spp. (7 native to NA) • Eggs found on six spp. Development tests • 6 species exposed  Larvae or pupae in two native NA species (Calystegia purpurata and C. macrostegia New potential agents

Emmelia trabealis (Lep.: Noctuidae) Can locally defoliate field bindweed One generation per year

Hypocassida subferruginea (Col.: Chrysomellidae) Feeds on leaves and flowers of field bindweed Two generations per year Preliminary open-field test in 2013 In collaboration with Peter Tóth (Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra) Exposed field bindweed and sweet potatoes to both insects in the field Feeding of both insects on sweet potatoes negligible Development??

Needs to be further investigated and additional feeding and development tests with NA varieties of sweet potato conducted Plans for 2016

• Continue host range tests with Melanagromyza albocilia • Conduct an open-field test with M. albocilia either in Germany or the Slovak Republic • Continue with investigations on Emmelia and Hypocassida Biological control of Oxeye daisy

Project started: 2008 Project scientists: Sonja Stutz, Hariet L. Hinz and Urs Schaffner Funded by in 2015: Ministry of Forest and Range, British Columbia Montana Weed Trust Fund through MT State University Alberta Invasive Species Council Consortium chair: Alec McClay (Canada) Oxeye daisy in the native range

Leucanthemum vulgare (diploid) Leucanthemum ircutianum (tetraploid)  two species with similar geographic distribution Oxeye daisy in the invaded range

Leucanthemum vulgare (diploid) Leucanthemum ircutianum (tetraploid) almost exclusively L. vulgare Dichrorampha aeratana (Lep. Tortricidae)

• One generation; adults emerge in spring • Larvae mine in the roots No-choice larval development tests

2010-2015: 51 plant species tested

Larvae found in - Leucanthemum x superbum varieties (Shasta daisy) - Matricaria occidentalis - Matricaria chamomilla - Anthemis cotula - Leucanthemella serotina - Glebionis coronaria (contamination?) - Achillea ptarmica (contamination?) Multiple-choice tests

In field cages  Fewer eggs and larvae in Shasta daisies  Only one larva in L. serotina and M. occidentalis

Open field  Very few larvae in Shasta daisies  No larvae in species outside Leucanthemum genus Impact studies

control infested 25 with Poa pratensis 8 * 20 6 * 15 4 10 2 5 ** ***

# of flower heads 0 0

oxeye daisy Shasta daisy [g] belowground biomass oxeye daisy Shasta daisy

 Impact on oxeye daisy  No impact on Shasta daisies Cyphocleonus trisulcatus (Col. Curculionidae)

• One generation; overwinters as adult • Larvae feed on the roots No-choice larval development tests

2014-2015: 41 plant species tested

Adults emerged from: - all tested Shasta daisy varieties - Matricaria occidentalis - Matricaria chamomilla - Glebionis coronaria

Larvae found on - Achillea ptarmica Multiple-choice cage test

4 fieldcages with: Multiple-choice cage test

28 May - 9 June 2015

15 – 26 June 2015 Open-field test Open-field test

 Similar attack on Shasta daisy as on oxeye daisy Impact studies

October 2014 infested with 2 ♀ control plants for 1 week Impact studies

July 2015

 Significant impact on biomass and number of flower heads Other biological control candidates

Tephritis neesii Dichrorampha consortana

Dichrorampha baixerasana Oxyna nebulosa Workplan 2016

• Complete host-range tests for Dichrorampha aeratana • Prepare and submit petition for field release • Establish a rearing colony of a second biological control candidate and start with investigations on its host- specificity Biological control of Canada thistle

Project re-started: 2009 Project scientists: Carol Ellison and Kate Pollard (CABI UK) Huanhuan Wan and Hongmei Li (CABI China) Hariet L. Hinz (CABI CH)

Funded by in 2014/15: USDA, APHIS, CPHST

US counterpart: Rich Hansen Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Six biological control agents released in NA, plus several accidentally introduced So far no satisfactory control New initiative to look for co-evolved fungal pathogens Advantage: can be more host specific than insect biocontrol agents Field survey in China in 2009 and 2010

Why China? Large number of Cirsium species recorded from China Good eco-climatic match with NA 4 3 1 2 Xinjiang and Gansu Provinces

1 2 3 4

Potential agent prioritized: Pustula spinulosa

White blister rust (WBR) Originally thought to be Albugo tragopogonis WBR on C. arvense recently described as a distinct species Pustula spinulosa – inoculation tests

Chlorosis and one tiny pustule on the native NA Cirsium undulatum var. tracyi 40 days after inoculation

Pustula spinulosa infection of Cirsium arvense 9 days after inoculation Pustula spinulosa – open field test Pustula spinulosa – open field test

Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, all three exposed native North American Cirsium spp. became infected and molecular analysis confirmed P. spinulosa infection in at least one of the species In contrast to all previous experience Explanation: mycoparasite? Conclusions

Pustula spinulosa discarded as a potential biological control agent for Canada thistle Additional surveys unlikely to reveal other fungal pathogens or insects that are specific enough to be considered for field release in NA… Biological control of common reed

Project start: 1998 Project scientist: Patrick Häfliger Funded by in 2014 and 2015: • Army Corps of Engineers • US Fish and Wildlife Service through Cornell University • BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Counterparts: Bernd Blossey, Richard Casagrande Archanara geminipuncta • Eggs overwinter underneath the leaf sheaths • Larvae change shoots 3-4 times during their development • Early instars can kill whole shoots; older instars kill shoot tips • Occurs on land and water reed Archanara neurica

Biology comparable to A. geminipuncta, but: - a bit smaller - only one larva develops successfully per shoot - more cannibalistic  reduced densities in field Impact – A. geminipuncta

In the field, attacked stems had 21-64% lower biomass than unattacked stems

In an impact experiment, potted plants with high larval densities had 50% lower above-ground biomass than plants without larvae Host-specificity – both species

• 45 test plant species tested in quarantaine at the University of Rhode Island • 20 test plant species tested at CABI in a common garden or in a greenhouse • None of the plants supported complete development  Both moths specific to species in genus Phragmites Additional potential agents • Archanara dissoluta (Lep., Noctuidae) • Arenostola phragmitidis (Lep., Noctuidae) • Rhizedra lutosa (Lep., Noctuidae) • Chilo phragmitella (Lep., Pyralidae) • Schoenobius gigantella (Lep., Pyralidae) • Phragmataecia castanea (Lep., Cossidae) • Platycephala planifrons (Dipt., Chloropidae) invasive

Invasive native

Native

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca Falls, NY. Photo courtesy of Kristin Saltonstall Invasive: Phragmites australis Native: Phragmites australis americanus First hybrids discovered in field in 2014! Host-specificity

Both moth species develop on native NA Phragmites, but: - Females prefer invasive reed for oviposition - If eggs are laid on native NA reed, they suffer 40% higher mortality, because leaf sheaths fall off before or during winter Open-field oviposition tests at CABI 2013/14 Open-field oviposition test at CABI in 2015 Open-field oviposition tests Archanara neurica (2013) Average stem # A. neurica egg # A. neurica diameter (mm) batches eggs European 3.9 16 99 Introduced 3.7 12 125 Native 5.0 1 6

Archanara geminipuncta (2014) Average stem # A. geminipuncta # A. geminipuncta diameter (mm) egg batches eggs European 3.4 16 194 Introduced 3.5 7 118 Native 4.1 1 14 Open-field oviposition test 2015

Average stem # A. neurica eggs / # A. geminipuncta diameter (mm) batches eggs / batches European 3.3 207/34 15/3 Introduced 3.8 144/26 19/2 Native 4.9 33/7 8/1 Type I 5.0* 57/10 20/2

* Without side shoots Open-field oviposition test 2015

Average stem # A. neurica eggs / # A. geminipuncta diameter (mm) batches eggs / batches European 3.3 207/34 15/3 Introduced 3.8 144/26 19/2 Native 4.9 33/7 8/1 Type I 5.0* 57/10 20/2

* Without side shoots Conclusions and plans for 2016

• Both moth species are specific to species in the genus Phragmites • Both moth species strongly prefer invasive reed for oviposition under natural field conditions • Further studies needed to see whether larval development on Type I (Gulf Coast lineage of reed) is possible • A petition for field release of the two moths will be submitted this winter • We will maintain a colony of A. geminipuncta and and A. neurica at CABI Biological control of swallow-worts Vincetoxicum nigrum and V. rossicum

Project started: 2006

Project scientists: André Gassmann and Ivo Toševski Funded by in 2014: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada USDA, ARS Counterparts: Rob Bourchier (Canada) Lindsey Milbrath (USA) Biocontrol candidates – a summary  

Abrostola Hypena opulenta asclepiadis

Chrysolina aurichalcea bohemica Specificity ?

Euphranta connexa

Specificity ? Chrysochus asclepiadeus Hypena opulenta (Noctuidae)

Leaf-feeding moth Studied by URI

First released in Ontario, Canada in 2013 Established and overwintering confirmed under field cage conditions

Approval for field release in the USA pending Abrostola asclepiadis (Noctuidae)

Leaf-feeding moth Studied in collaboration with URI

Very specific Petition for field release to be submitted after approval of field release for H. opulenta in the USA Chrysochus asclepiadeus (Chrysomelidae)

Leaf-feeding and root-feeding beetle Attack can stunt growth and reduce plant biomass by up to 70%

Tested population: Ukraine Some adult and larval feeding on native NA Asclepias species in no-choice and choice conditions

Ongoing molecular work on beetle populations from Ukraine, Switzerland and France to determine potential future work Euphranta connexa (Tephritidae) Seed-feeding fly Specialist on the seed pods of V. hirundinaria in Europe

Tested population: Switzerland V. rossicum and V. nigrum suitable host plants

Host range studies: Nine species tested; a few eggs have been found in the pods of three of them; the suitability for larval development needs to be studied Plans for 2016

Depending on funding: Maintain colony of the beetle Chrysochus asclepiadeus from Ukraine Completion of molecular studies with C. asclepiadeus Depending on results, decide how to further proceed with this species

Continue host range testing with Euphranta connexa Project started: 1998 Project scientists: Esther Gerber, Ghislaine Cortat and Hariet Hinz Funded by in 2015: • US Forest Service through the University of Minnesota • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources • USDA, APHIS, CPHST Counterparts: Bernd Blossey, Jeanie Katovitch, Roger Becker, Laura van Riper (USA) Rob Bourchier (Canada)Photo: Vicky Nuzzo Ceutorhynchus constrictus

main heading – 32bold green – no more than 2 lines Add text here – 24/20 grey.Ceutorhynchus Ceutorhynchus The “indent” (increase list level)alliariae button creates bullets:roberti  First level bullet  Second level bullet  Third level bullet  Fourth level bullet

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Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis Ceutorhynchus constrictus

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Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis Agent prioritization

Demographic plant population model including impact data of potential agents (Davis et al., 2006) • The root-crown mining weevil C. scrobicollis will have the most significant impact on A. petiolata demography

C. scrobicollis

3 1 2 Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis – host range

• 76 species/subspecies tested, 45 in the family Brassicaceae, and the remaining in 23 different families • Complete development in 5 species under no-choice conditions (fundamental host range) • 3 of these also accepted under open- field conditions (“realized host range”): Nasturtium, Peltaria, Thlaspi • All 3 are European species Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis

Field release petition #1

• Petition for field release submitted to the USDA, APHIS Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control Agents of Weeds (TAG) in May 2008 • Reply in January 2009: 7 reviewers recommended release 3 recommended release with reservations 2 asked for additional information/tests Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis

Field release petition #2

• Results of additional tests submitted in September 2011

• Reply in May 2013: 12 reviewers recommended release, 1 recommended release with reservations 2 reviewers rejected release Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis

Reviewer’s concerns

• Lack of tests conducted with native NA plant species, in particular threatened and endangered (T&E) species • Insufficient coverage of species according to the new tribal arrangement in Brassicaceae (Franzke et al., 2011; Al-Shehbaz, 2012) Ongoing rearrangements within Brassicaceae

• 10 tribes (Hayek 1911) • 25 tribes (Al-Shehbaz 2006) • 31 tribes (Al-Shehbaz 2010) • 49 tribes (Al-Shehbaz 2012) “and it’s likely that a few more will be added when the 34 currently unassigned genera are placed in monophyletic, well assigned clades” Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis

Field release petition # 3

• Additional test plant list (16+) submitted to TAG in October 2013 • Response in November 2014: Except for one reviewer all other responses were favourable • Winter 2014/15 phone conferences with USDA, APHIS and TAG Chairman to clarify requirements Other potential conflict of interest

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense)

• Currently studied as oilcrop (see also Pennycress Resource Network) • Attacked by C. scrobicollis and the two stem mining weevils Open-field test with pennycress in Switzerland Agent prioritization

Demographic model (Davis et al., 2006) predicted that release of multiple agents that simultaneously reduce rosette survival and seed production will be necessary to suppress the most vigorous A. petiolata populations

C. scrobicollis Agent reducing seed production 1 3 2 Ceutorhynchus constrictus – host range

• So far 94 species and subspecies tested, 78 in the family Brassicaceae, and the remainder in 16 different families • Complete development in two species under no-choice conditions: Brassica nigra and B. juncea (black and brown mustard) • Subsequent choice and open-field tests with both species Brassica nigra

Garlic mustard

Open-field test with B. nigra at natural field site of garlic mustard Open Open-field test with Brassica juncea at natural field site of B. juncea

Brassica juncea

Garlic mustard Ceutorhynchus constrictus – host range

• Three open-field tests revealed that neither Brassica species is attacked under natural conditions • No record in European literature of C. constrictus as pest of these two species • => risk of non-target attack in case released considered as minimal to negligible But… Ceutorhynchus constrictus – host range

• Complete open-field test with pennycress • Submit additional test plant data for C. scrobicollis to TAG • Maintain rearing of C. constrictus and send weevils to US quarantine facilites as requested • Complete host range tests with C. constrictus in collaboration with US counterparts Biological control of flowering rush Project started: 2013 Project scientists: Patrick Häfliger and Hariet Hinz Funded by in 2015: • Army Corps of Engineers • Montana Weed Trust Fund through University of Montana • Washington State Department of Agriculture and Ecology • Washington Department of Natural Resources • BC, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations US Counterparts: Jennifer Andreas (WSU) Greg Haubrich (WA Dep. Ag.) Flowering rush biocontrol - advantages

No native North American congeners  Should increase chances to find a host specific biocontrol agent  Will reduce the number of plants that need to be tested  Should speed up pre-release testing Flowering rush biocontrol - challenges

• Targeting triploids that mainly propagate by rhizome fragmentation  rhizome feeder • Flowering rush is relatively rare in Europe and grows in sensitive, often protected habitats • Three of the potential agents are redlisted or regarded as endangered  necessary to obtain permits • Phytosanitary certificates necessary to import flowering rush and test plant rhizomes into Switzerland Literature survey

22 species found in total 6 species recorded as monophagous on Butomus: • Bagous nodulosus (Col.: Curculionidae) • Bagous validus (Col.: Curculionidae) • Donacia tomentosa (Col.: Chrysomelidae) • Phytoliriomyza ornata (Dipt.: Agromyzidae) • Hydrellia concolor (Dipt.: Ephydridae) • Glyptotendipes viridis (Dipt.: Chironomidae)

All species found during our surveys Literature survey

All species found during our surveys Field surveys until 2015

Bagous nodulosus

• Typical adult feeding damage facilitates confirming presence at field sites • Found at 16 sites +; more common than expected • Established rearing with successful development from egg to adult and overwintering, but still high larval mortality Bagous nodulosus

• Oviposition from May to July • Larval development in leaves and rhizomes between June and August • Damage both through larval and adult feeding • Overwinters as adult Bagous nodulosus

Sequential no-choice oviposition tests in 2014/15 • Exposed cut leaves of test or control plants • Of 22 test plant species offered none was accepted for oviposition  Bagous nodulosus appears to be highly specific Bagous nodulosus 2014

Test plant species Native # replicates # replicates # status setup valid eggs Alisma plantago-aquatica EU 5 3 0 Elodea canadensis NA 7 4 0 Elodea densa I6 50 Hydrilla verticillata I8 50 Myriophyllum spicatum I5 30 Polygonum amphibium NA 5 3 0 Schoenoplectus americanus NA 2 1 0 Sagittaria graminea NA 6 3 0 Sagittaria latifolia NA 5 3 0 Sagittaria platyphylla NA 7 6 0 Butomus umbellatus I 399 529 Bagous nodulosus 2014

 B. nodulosus appears to be highly specific Test plant species Native # replicates # replicates # status setup valid eggs Butomus umbellatus EU 650 281 B. umbellatus (american) I84 115 Alisma triviale NA 11 5 0 Blyxa aubertii EU 3 2 0 Carex obnupta NA 9 4 0 Ceratophyllum demersum NA 5 1 0 Elodea canadensis NA 8 1 0 Echinodorus berteroi NA 9 4 0 Echinodorus cordifolius NA 8 2 0 Hydrilla verticillata I3 10 Hydrocharis morsus-ranae EU 6 3 0 Myriophyllum spicatum I8 40 Nuphar lutea NA 12 4 0 Potamogeton natans EU 6 2 0 Potamogeton lucens EU 4 1 0 Sagittaria graminea NA 6 3 0 Sagittaria latifolia NA 10 2 0 Schoenoplectus acutus NA 8 5 0 S. tabernaemontani NA 8 5 0 Bagous nodulosus

Impact experiment in 2015 • Preliminary impact experiment setup with 30 plants and 3 treatments (control, 1 pair, 3 pairs) • No results because of failure of larval development  will be repeated, as soon as an improved rearing technique is available Bagous validus

• Seems to be very rare; only found in 2015 at one site in southern Slovakia • 25 adults collected, but only 6 eggs obtained • Crucial to establish reliable rearing method at CABI Phytoliriomyza ornata

• Found at several sites • Larvae mine in leaves and flowering stems • Pupation in July/August • Probably 2 generations per year Plans for 2016

• Collect Bagous nodulosus and continue host- specificity tests • Improve rearing method for B. nodulosus • In case a reliable rearing method is available, conduct an impact experiment with B. nodulosus • Find more B. validus and establish rearing • Collect additional P. ornata to study its biology • Depending on funding: intensify field surveys in Europe and extend to Greece, Georgia and Scandinavia Saltlover, Halogeton glomeratus

Project not officially started yet Project scientists: Hariet L. Hinz (CABI) Massimo Cristofaro (BBCA)

US counterparts: Audra Rouge (Wyoming) Mark Schwarzländer (UoI) Saltlover, Halogeton glomeratus

Annual, succulent herb Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) Adapted to alkaline soils and to semi- arid habitats Native to Central Asia Declared noxious in 5 southwestern states and Alberta Invades stressed rangeland, abandoned croplands, domestic stock trails, oil and gas pipelines etc. Toxic to livestock especially sheep Potential for biological control

No native congeners  should incease chances of finding a specific enough agent USDA, ARS project in 70s, one agent released that did not establish Surveys in the 1960s in Pakistan found 15 insect species One root-boring beetle and one seed- feeding lepidopteran Eriophyid mites?? Coleophora parthenica Plans for 2016

If funding would be available:

Conduct thorough literature survey Conduct opportunistic field surveys in Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan Try to find moth species that did not establish and re-start work (e.g. additional tests) Start establishing a test plant list and obtaining test species