BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 29N–46N

General News

Environment Prize years, the formerly devastating pest was When the Mist Clears, Recognizes Biocontrol’s controlled across all of continental Africa. What Will We See? Diversity In a rare ‘silver bullet’ success story, control has been sustained ever since, with this one One of the perceived disadvantages of Amongst the three recipients of the 2003 natural enemy keeping the pest in check. weed biological control is that because Tyler Prize for environmental achievement However, the programme was also respon- agents are generally chosen that will target are two leading lights of the biocontrol sible for introducing the concept of biolog- a single weed at a time, there is a danger world, Hans Herren of ICIPE (International ical control to many countries. The that the plant targeted will simply be Centre of Physiology and Ecology, outstanding success of the programme was replaced by other unwanted exotics. There- Kenya) and Yoel Margalith (Ben-Gurion instrumental in facilitating acceptance of fore it is important not only to demonstrate University of the Negev, Israel). (The third this approach in Africa, and contributed that a weed has been reduced and main- recipient of the Tyler Prize is the pioneering substantially to building the capacity that tained below a desired threshold, but also to cancer scientist, Sir Richard Doll.) Although enabled countries to use biological control show the end result that is really wanted: both Herren and Margalith are well known against other pests. that the weed has been replaced by more and respected for subsequent work, the cen- desirable vegetation. This will be the true tral achievements for which they are hon- In 1976, during a World Health Organiza- measure of whether or not a weed biolog- oured illustrate two different biological tion sponsored project in Israel, Yoel Mar- ical control project has been successful. control approaches that have led to progress galith discovered a strain of Bacillus Mist flower (Ageratina riparia,Aster- in securing the world’s food supply and thuringiensis in the Negev Desert which aceae) is an aggressive and fast growing human health over the last three decades: was significantly more toxic to mosquitoes weed originating in Central America. It’s a than other known bacterial strains at that • Classical biological control of an perennial herb or sub-shrub, 0.3-2 m tall time. Later identified as B. thuringiensis exotic pest through the introduction of which produces masses of small white ssp. israelensis (Bti), it proved to have that a natural enemy from their common flowers that develop into highly mobile useful combination of being both lethal and area of origin seeds. The plant is particularly problematic relatively specific to dipteran immature in wet areas (such as riverbanks) in tropical • Inundative biological control using an stages. In particular, it was highly patho- and warm temperate regions including entomopathogen as a microbial agent, genic to culicids and simuliids. Its potential northern Australia, Hawaii and South which may be formulated and applied for controlling the vectors of diseases such Africa. In New Zealand it has invaded pas- as a biopesticide, against an as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and river tures and native forests in the North Island. indigenous or exotic disease vector blindness (onchocerciasis) was quickly rec- Landcare Research has been conducting an ognized. Its commercial potential has since active biological control programme During the 1980s, Hans Herren, then at the been exploited and many Bti-based prod- against this weed. Following the example International Institute of Tropical Agricul- Bti of a successful biological control pro- ture (IITA), led the team that coordinated ucts are now registered. The use of gramme against mist flower conducted in the implementation of one of the largest and transformed mosquito and blackfly control Hawaii, two natural enemies of the weed: most successful classical biological pro- in many countries, with extensive control the white smut fungus Entyloma agerat- grammes in the world. The Africa-wide programmes based on Bti implemented in inae, and the gall fly Procecidochares Biological Control Program was respon- West Africa, the USA and Europe. For alani, were introduced into New Zealand in sible within Africa for introducing the South example, Bti was used against river blind- 1998 and 2001 respectively. American encyrtid , Anagyrus ness along the Volta River in eleven lopezi (=Epidinocarsis/Apoanagyrus African countries. The sight of millions In 1999 Landcare Research established a lopezi), to control the , was saved and repopulation of deserted small, multi-year project, in an area of Phenacoccus manihoti, which was devas- river valleys initiated. What has made Bti native forest near Auckland (the Waitakere tating cassava production across vast areas even more useful is that little resistance has Ranges), to look at what plants replaced of Africa at that time. Uncontrolled, it was been reported, perhaps owing to synergistic mist flower as its cover (hopefully) feared that the pest, which had been acci- action of the complex of toxic proteins. Use declined. Small (4 m2) permanent moni- dentally introduced from cassava's own of Bti led to malarial infections from mos- toring plots were established in the summer home range in the New World, would cause quitoes resistant to other pesticides drop- of 1999/2000, some with mist flower and catastrophic losses to a crop that has vital ping by 90% along the Yangtze River, others without the weed. In the plots with significance as a security food crop in China, which has a population of over 20 mist flower, the health of the weed declined Africa. Widespread famine affecting up to million people. Thus Bti has had an enor- between 1999/2000 and 2001/2002, with 200 million people across tropical and sub- mous effect on human health and environ- the percentage of leaves infected by the tropical Africa was feared. At first, head- mental quality and, with increasing global white smut fungus increasing from 18% to line-catching touches, such as distributing travel and the emergence and spread of dis- 62%, and the total percentage of dead the natural enemies by a low-flying light air- easessuchasWestNilevirustonew leaves increasing from 8% to 23%. During craft, received more publicity than the regions, the existence of this environmen- these two years the total percentage cover spread of the biocontrol agent and its impact tally benign yet effective tool assumes new of mist flower decreased from 74% o 16%, on the pest and cassava yields. The scien- significance. a decline of more than 50%. We attribute tific evidence was clear, however, and this decline in cover to defoliation caused public acceptance followed when, within 12 ❑ by the white smut fungus: the gall fly had

Are we on your mailing list? BiocontrolNews 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. 30N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 not yet reached the plots and there appeared Biocontrol of Invasive dures were developed to address three key to be no other environmental or manage- Insect Threatening questions: ment changes that could have caused such Galápagos Islands •DoesI. purchasi weaken plant growth a dramatic loss of foliage. and contribute to the mortality of In January 2002, biological control was native flora and fauna in the When the plots were first examined, in used for the first time in the Galápagos Galápagos? 1999/2000, there were found to be signifi- Islands with the release of the Vedalia cantly fewer native plant species in the beetle Rodolia cardinalis to control the • Are there any natural enemies of I. plots with mist flower than in the plots invasive cottony cushion scale, Icerya pur- purchasi already present in the without it. In contrast, there was no signifi- chasi. In the presence of town officials and Galápagos that could be used to cant difference between the number of with the collaboration of college students, suppress this insect? beetles were released simultaneously on the exotic species (excluding mist flower) in • Will R. cardinalis have any detrimental inhabited islands of Santa Cruz, San plots with mist flower compared with those effects on nontarget organisms or the Cristòbal, Isabela, and Floreana. The without the weed. This appears to confirm environment in general? the view of land managers that mist flower release programme was a joint effort between the Galápagos National Park Field surveys and experimental studies was having a negative impact on the regen- Service (GNPS) and the Charles Darwin demonstrated that high infestations of the eration of native species while not inhib- Foundation (CDF) and followed a 6-month cottony cushion scale were influencing the iting other exotics. At least the presence of intensive educational campaign to inform survival of native plant communities mist flower was not correlated with a the public of the threats of invasive species including threatened species or their habi- higher number of other exotic species. and of the rigorous studies carried out to tats. However, the paucity of baseline data evaluate the safety of introducing this bio- on these endangered plant species, and the Encouragingly, we didn’t find more exotic logical control agent. Since then, beetles effects of other stress factors such as lack of species arriving in plots with mist flower as have been released in priority areas on the water and nutrients, made it difficult to iso- the cover of the weed declined. Even better, islands of Marchena, Fernandina, Pinta, late the effects of I. purchasi in the field. the change in the number of native species Pinzòn and Rabìda where endangered spe- Since it was introduced in 1982, the cottony was significantly different between the plots cies of plant are seriously affected by I. pur- cushion scale has colonized 15 islands in the with or without mist flower: The number of chasi. Since releases began, just over 1500 archipelago where it attacks 31 endemic native plant species present increased in adult beetles have been released. species and 31 native plant species, 16 of plots with mist flower (as the weed declined which are threatened according to the IUCN in percentage cover over the 2 years). In This is the culmination of a 6-year research (World Conservation Union) criteria. Mor- contrast, there was a small unexplained programme by the Department of Terres- tality has been recorded on nine endemic decrease in the number of native plant spe- trial Invertebrates of the Charles Darwin and 10 native species so far, including pop- Research Station (CDRS) to evaluate the cies in the plots without mist flower. ulations of threatened species such as the risks associated with using biological con- Overall, it appears that the biological con- Critically Endangered daisy tree Scalesia trol to mitigate the impacts of I. purchasi. trol of mist flower is benefiting native spe- atractyloides and the white mangrove, hab- In 1996, serious outbreaks of I. purchasi on itat of the Critically Endangered mangrove cies rather than other weedy exotics. several islands alerted the GNPS and CDF finch. One species has been reclassified as to the threats of this pest to plant species of threatened explicitly as a result of damage Further information: Fröhlich, J.; Fowler, conservation value. Chemical control was caused by I. purchasi. Furthermore, local S.; Gianotti, A.; Hill, R.; Killgore, E.; quickly ruled out as a possibility for extinctions of specialist endemic Morin, L; Sugiyama, L.; Winks, C. (2000): reducing pest numbers and biological con- fauna dependent on threatened plant species Biological control of mist flower: transfer- trol was considered the only viable solu- have been observed. ring a successful programme from Hawai’i tion. Legislation for the release of exotic to New Zealand. In:Spencer,N.R.(ed) natural enemies in the Galápagos is only No monophagous natural enemies of I. pur- Proceedings of the X International Sympo- now being developed, and at this time chasi were found in the Galápagos, elimi- sium on Biological Control of Weeds. responsibility for importation decisions lay nating the possibility of using augmentative Bozeman, Montana, USA, 4-9 July 1999, with the GNPS. Consequently, a technical biological control. The cottony cushion pp. 51-57. advisory committee was formed with ten scale has been successfully controlled in 60 members of the CDF and GNPS to evaluate countries by R. cardinalis, but virtually By: Jane Barton (née Fröhlich), 353 Pun- the possibility of employing biological con- nothing was known about the feeding range garehu Rd, RD 5, Te Kuiti, New Zealand trol for the first time on the Galápagos of this biological control agent and whether Email: [email protected] Islands. The committee concluded that it has had any impact on native fauna. Con- given the immediate threat of the cottony sequently, tests were deemed necessary to R. cardinalis Jane Barton works under subcontract for cushion scale to rare or endangered species evaluate whether would use Galápagos invertebrates as alternate prey. Landcare Research. The project was sup- an evaluation of the risks associated with Beetles were donated by CSIRO Ento- ported by Auckland Regional Council, with the introduction of R. cardinalis should be mology (Brisbane, Australia) and no- contributions from Northland Regional carried out at the same time as studies to confirm that the impacts of I. purchasi mer- choice tests carried out in a newly con- Council, the Department of Conservation, ited the introduction of this biological con- structed insect containment facility at the Environment Waikato and the New Zea- trol agent. Charles Darwin Research Station [See also land Government. Auckland University stu- BNI 20(3), 71N (September 1999), Host dents (Jonathan Boow, Krystian Ragiel and A risk assessment methodology was drawn specificity testing of Rodolia cardinalis... Kate Edenborough) carried out most of the up based on the guidelines of the FAO’s one hundred years late? ]. Immature stages fieldwork. Code of Conduct for the Import and of R. cardinalis were unable to complete Release of Exotic Biological Control development or feed on a wide range of ❑ Agents. This was expanded on and proce- prey species. Similarly, adult R. cardinalis News 31N were unable to use a small range of Homop- sales). Ten years on, the infested area has resources. However, the management of tera as temporary sources of food. Rodolia increased to more than one million acres TSA is achievable with the application of cardinalis wasonlyabletofeedonMarga- (some 404,700 ha) of improved pastures, biological controls as the best long-term rodes similis, the closest relative to the cot- citrus groves, sugarcane fields, ditches, veg- strategy to reduce the impact to an accept- tony cushion scale, but this species is etable crops, sod (turf grass) farms, forest able level. subterranean and would not be at risk from lands (including oak- and cypress-domi- predation. nated tree islands in pasture, which provide Until now, three types of control have been shade for cattle), and natural areas. Car- used to limit the spread of TSA: chemical, At the request of the advisory committee rying-capacity falls in TSA-infested pasture mechanical, and regulatory. Herbicides and additional research was carried out to con- both because the plant’s foliage is unpalat- mowing only provide temporary weed sup- firm experimentally that the beetle would able to cattle and because dense TSA stands pression and, in addition to being expen- not impact insectivorous vertebrates such prevent cattle access to shade. TSA also sive, they are not always practical in as the finches and other small birds. This causes as-yet unquantified losses to vege- inaccessible areas. Moreover, herbicides was because R. cardinalis adults reflex table growers (a sector worth some $1.7 bil- can have negative environmental effects, bleed heavily from their joints producing a lion annually in Florida) because six plant which include leaving undesirable chem- haemolymph that might contain a toxic viruses are transmitted by insect vectors ical residues in the ecosystem and in com- alkaloid. Experimental trials were carried from TSA to important solanaceous crops. modities, and adversely affecting non- out on two species of Galápagos finch, but target organisms. Several southern states neither species showed adverse reactions Although probably first introduced to are trying to prevent the spread of TSA by after being fed R. cardinalis. Florida by unwitting human vectors (likely means of regulatory control, regulating the pathways are on footwear or through escape movement of cattle, hay, sod, manure, seed A risk analysis was presented to a technical from cultivation), the rapid spread of TSA and soil from infested areas to areas free of advisory committee in 2001 and it was con- in the southeastern USA is attributed to its infestation. For example, cattle are held in cluded that sufficient evidence existed to tremendous reproductive potential and ease an area free from TSA fruit for a 5- to 7-day demonstrate the costs and benefits of liber- of spread. It produces high numbers of period to allow for the seed to pass through ating R. cardinalis into the Archipelago. A viable seeds and can regenerate vegetatively the rumen. post-release monitoring programme from an extensive root system. Spread is involving the participation of the local aided by cattle and wildlife which ingest the A biological control project on this invasive community has been initiated to determine seeds. The weed can also be spread in TSA- non-native weed was initiated in January whether the beetles have established and contaminated hay, sod, seed, soil, compost, 1997 by University of Florida researchers are reducing cottony cushion scale numbers machinery and running water. in collaboration with Brazilian and Argen- on threatened plant species. Additionally, tinian researchers. The Florida Department information is being gathered on the TSA has been reported in nine other states of Agriculture & Consumer Services – feeding behaviour of the beetle. This infor- (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Division of Plant Industry and the USDA- mation is particularly important as it will Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, APHIS-PPQ (US Department of Agricul- determine whether the beetle is having any Tennessee and Pennsylvania). The weed ture – and Plant Health Inspection negative impact on the Galápagos biota, has the potential to expand its range even Service – Plant Protection and Quarantine) which in turn will allow us to evaluate further in the USA, based on temperature have been providing funding for the whether the risk assessment was accurate in and photoperiod threshold experiments project. its predictions. conducted in controlled environmental chambers. TSA was placed on the Florida From exploratory surveys conducted in By: Charlotte Causton, Research Asso- Noxious Weed List in 1994 and the Federal South America, several were identi- ciate, Department of Terrestrial Inverte- Noxious Weed List in 1995, and it is listed fied as potential biological control agents of brates, Charles Darwin Research Station, as one of the most invasive species in TSA. Two chrysomelid leaf beetles, Gra- A.P. 17-01-3891, Quito, Ecuador Florida by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant tiana boliviana and Metriona elatior were Email: [email protected] Council. initially selected for screening because of ❑ the extensive plant defoliation attributed to The Tropical Soda Apple Task Force was these beetles in their native range. Three formed to develop appropriate control strat- other promising candidates currently Tropical Soda Apple egies for this unwanted biological pol- undergoing host range determination in Biocontrol Bears First lutant. The Task Force, composed of Florida-quarantine are two more chrys- Fruit research, regulatory and industry expertise, omelid leaf beetles, Platyphora sp. and G. developed recommendations for research, graiminea, and a curculionid flower bud Tropical soda apple (TSA), Solanum education/awareness and regulatory pro- weevil Anthonomus tenebrosus. viarum, also known as ‘the plant from hell’, grammes. It has been active in assisting is a perennial prickly bush (family: with the development of Best Management Gratiana boliviana was approved for field Solanaceae) native to Brazil, northeast Practices (BMPs), locating funding for release in the USA by TAG (Technical Argentina and Paraguay. It has been research, and ongoing industry/public Advisory Group for Biological Control spreading rapidly in the USA since it was awareness of the importance of taking Agents of Weeds) in April 2002. APHIS discovered in Glades County, Florida in appropriate action to control TSA. Regula- review and analysis of the potential envi- 1988. TSA has become a serious weed of tory measures have gone in the direction of ronmental impacts associated with pasture and natural habitats, displacing TSA management using established BMPs, releasing G. boliviana into the environment other vegetation and forming impenetrable voluntary compliance and contract specifi- are documented in detail in an Environ- thickets. In 1992 approximately 150,000 cations requiring regulated articles to be mental Assessment (EA) (February 2003). acres (60,700 ha) of pasture-land was esti- free from TSA (e.g. sod has to be certified A high level of specificity and significant matedtobeinfestedandeconomiclossesto TSA-free). The eradication of TSA from defoliation of TSA were demonstrated in Florida cattle ranchers at this time were put Florida is not feasible owing to the general host-specificity tests conducted at the at US$11 million (or 1% of total state beef infestation of the state and lack of tools and Florida Biological Control Laboratory 32N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 quarantine in Gainesville, the USDA-ARS Daniel Gandolfo, USDA-ARS South ment of nymphs, and adult oviposition pref- (Agricultural Research Service) quarantine American Biological Control Laboratory erences, mating and feeding on different in Stoneville, Mississippi and the USDA- Email: [email protected] plant species, indicated that only species of ARS South American Biological Control Jatropha could act as a host for A. trilin- Jeff Mullahey, University of Florida – West Laboratory in Hurlingham, Argentina, and eatum (four other species of this genus Florida REC Director, Milton in extensive field surveys and open-field occur in Australia, all originally introduced Email: [email protected] tests conducted in South America. Field as ornamentals), but only J. gossypiifolia releases of G. boliviana in the USA are Richard Gaskalla, FDACS-Division of was accepted for oviposition (with one planned for May 2003. Plant Industry Director minor exception). In addition, adult A. tri- Email: [email protected] lineatum matedandfedonlyonthehost A virus indigenous to Florida is also plant. An application for release of A. trilin- showing promise as a biocontrol agent. The James Cuda, University of Florida eatum was submitted in June 2002, and per- tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus Email: [email protected] mission to release has now been granted. (commonly called the tobacco mild green ❑ Insects are being mass reared, and first mosaic virus, TMGMV) is a common virus releases are planned for both Queensland that produces a mild mosaic disease in Bug for Bellyache Bush and the Northern Territory in May 2003. tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). In TSA, however, it has a deadly impact. Young Biocontrol Immature and adult A. trilineatum feed only on seeds, and in laboratory studies plants are killed most rapidly but even A seed-sucking bug from South America is mature plants succumb. Typically plants adults proved capable of completely set to become the latest Neotropical biocon- destroying them. In the field, where seeds die within 14-21 days of being inoculated trol agent to be released against invasive with the virus. In field trials 83-97% control aremoreabundant,theimpactisasyet rangeland shrubs in Australia. Bellyache unknown but it is hoped that insect popula- (complete kill) was achieved for plants of bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) is a noxious different sizes and ages. tions will reach high levels, and that under weed across a large proportion of northern these conditions seeds will be killed or at Australia. It is naturalized in tropical least damaged and their weight and via- The ease with which the virus multiplies in Queensland, Northern Territory and tobacco provides an excellent basis for bility reduced. Bellyache bush is spread by Western Australia, and its potential distri- seed, so a reduction in seed production mass-producing it. In addition, application bution includes enormous tracts of these of the virus is simple: leaf extract prepared should reduce the rate of spread and the rate states. Native to the New World tropics and of recruitment in established infestations. from infected plants is applied to a few a member of the Euphorbiaceae, it has been leaves of the target plant either by hand or In addition, as the seeds are the most toxic introduced to other regions as an orna- part of this plant, poisoning of livestock with a simple mechanical implement. How- mental or medicinal plant and has been ever, further development as a biocontrol may be reduced. However, a single agent declared a weed in a number of countries. species is not expected to provide complete agent means tackling host specificity In Australia bellyache bush invades range- issues. Literature records indicate that the control, and research on other potential land, particularly in riparian areas, forming agents is continuing. Successful establish- virus infects at least 15 species in four fam- dense thickets which eliminate other more ilies. It has been recorded causing severe ment of a diet-based rearing method for a useful species. In addition, all parts of the new Lagocheirus species of cerambycid symptoms in only a few species, but these plant are highly toxic. Although in low include several Capsicum pepper varieties. stem weevil means that testing of that spe- doses it is reputed to have medicinal value, cies can begin in the Queensland quarantine This would preclude the use of the virus in in Australia it has been cited as the cause of these crops, and further screening is facility. In addition, the stem boring weevil death of over 300 grazing in one Cylindrocopturus jatrophae has also been assessing whether any other cultivated shire in one year alone. plants are susceptible. However, it is pos- imported for screening in quarantine. Two sible to use the virus in TSA-infested fields In 1997, the Northern Territory Govern- further species, a stem-mining tineid moth, without risk of wide dispersal. The fact that ment began funding a CSIRO (Australia’s Xylesthia sp., and an unidentified brentid TMGMV is not an insect-transmitted virus, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial beetle have been earmarked as potential and therefore is unlikely to have uncon- Research Organisation) Entomology agents. Elsewhere, the rust fungus has been trolled secondary spread from infected project aimed at the weed's biological con- identified as Phakopsora jatrophicola by plants, is an important safety feature. trol, and further funding from the Queens- CABI Bioscience (UK Centre). A prelimi- land Department of Natural Resources was nary study showed that this rust has some Development of the virus as a bioherbicide made available from 1998. Surveys for nat- potential as a biocontrol agent. involves registration by the US Environ- ural enemies conducted in eight countries in In order to be able to measure the impact of mental Protection Agency (EPA), a process tropical America and the Caribbean this and future agents, Northern Territory which may take about 2 years. However, (Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Queensland government field scientists with the chrysomelid beetle about to be Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad are collecting baseline ecological parame- released and this promising bioherbicide in and Curacao) led to 60 species of phytopha- ters for comparison with data after the development, the University of Florida bio- gous insects and one rust fungus being iden- agents are established. control programme is making significant tified from the plant, and promising (i.e. progress against this noxious weed. damaging) candidates were selected for fur- To improve future agent selection, a post- ther study. Host specificity testing at doctoral researcher funded by the Coopera- Contacts: CSIRO's Long Pocket Laboratory’s quaran- tive Research Centre for Australian Weed Julio Medal, University of Florida tine facility on more than 70 species of Management, S. Raghu, is taking an inter- Email: [email protected] Euphorbiaceae ruled out some of the poten- esting approach. He is evaluating the ability tial agents, but a species of seed-feeding of the weed to respond to different types of Raghavan Charudattan, scutellerid bug, Agonosoma trilineatum, simulated herbivory. Agents utilizing the University of Florida proved to be highly specific. These tests, parts of the plant most susceptible to stress, Email: [email protected] which looked at the potential for develop- resulting in a negative impact to the plant, News 33N will be the focus of subsequent investiga- Anecdotal reports in Australia suggest that Calotrope is on the increase in many parts tions into their suitability and safety for bio- livestock stressed by drought may die from of northern Queensland, as well as the control. eating the plant. Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. There are no recent Contact: Tim Heard, CSIRO Entomology, Within Australia there is some confusion audits, but it seems the weed infests tens of Long Pocket Labs, 120 Meiers Rd, regarding the spread and distribution of the thousands of hectares. If it continues to Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia plant owing to the use of several different spread unabated, millions of hectares are Email: [email protected] names. These include rubber bush, rubber potentially threatened. There are anecdotal Fax: +61 7 3214 2885 tree, kapok tree, king’s crown, cabbage tree accounts of infestations increasing in area ❑ and giant milkweed. The common name by 250% over a 5-year period. If not con- changes from one district to the next. To trolled, vast areas of Australia will become covered in this weed. Australia Saddled with add to the confusion, some of these names are used for completely different weeds in another Invasive Weed While biological control frequently sup- different regions. Additionally there is a plies the best long-term solution, interim second species, C. gigantea, which has Camels brought to Australia during a measures are needed urgently. Scientists at white flowers and is larger than C. procera 1930's gold rush are blamed for the intro- the Department of Natural Resources and duction of a drought-resistant tree, which is but is otherwise similar in appearance. Mines (NR&M) Tropical Weed Research thriving in the current drought and Within Australia, C. procera is able to pro- Center, Charters Towers, are conducting spreading through large areas of northern duce abundant viable seeds while C. trials near Georgetown in northern Queens- Australia's rangelands. gigantea produces flowers but no viable land to assess the effectiveness of several seeds develop. Its reproduction in Australia herbicides using varying rates and different Calotrope, Calotropis procera,isasmall is limited to vegetative propagation and application methods. In conjunction with tree rising to 3-5 m in height. It originates in hence relies on human intervention. It is the Australian Agricultural Company, they arid regions of Asia and Africa and is thus not considered a weed. are planning aerial application trials in the believed to have been brought to Australia Gregory River area later in the year. in camel saddles, in which the kapok-like The Asclepiadaceae have very complex seed comose (tuft of hair) was used as pad- pollination mechanisms and self pollination Herbicides will play only one role in the ding. The camels and saddlery were is often genetically prevented. It is possible containment and ultimate control of this brought from India to Chillagoe in north- that C. gigantea was introduced as a living weed. Pasture management practices in the east Queensland during a gold rush in the plant or cutting and that there is insufficient form of effective control of grazing pressure 1930s. When the saddles broke down, genetic difference between individual and mechanical control will also be essen- seeds, which had been inadvertently plants to allow successful cross-pollination. tial tools to reduce the risk of further calo- included, were released. Alternatively, complex relationships with trope spread. Evidence from the Northern The plant has large oval leaves. They are a pollinating insects may provide the explana- Territory suggests that a reduced stocking dull, greenish grey and are coated with a tion. The genus Calotropis is largely polli- rate and a well maintained competitive pas- waxy bloom. There are relatively few nated by specific members of the carpenter ture is able to reduce the spread and inva- leaves per branch and these are restricted to bee subfamily, Xylocopinae. Although siveness of calotrope and in some situations the ends of the branches. The branches are present in Australia, they are not well repre- out-compete established calotrope. brown when young. The stems become sented, and it may be that species capable of NR&M Weed Scientist Peter Wilkinson corky with age, taking on an ash grey pollinating C. gigantea are absent. has recently found a disease on calotrope colour. Calotrope plants grow rapidly, and, in conjunction with Department of Pri- reaching more than a metre in the first Calotrope prevails in the hot tropics and is mary Industries, identified it as a fungal season and reaching full height in 3-4 years. spreading rapidly in northern Australia. It pathogen, with the proposed name, Phaeo- At maturity the tree has 3-5 stems, which survives the driest seasons, establishing on ramularia calotropidis, which has not pre- have few branches. The trunk is 40-130 land from which vegetation has been viously been reported in Australia. The mm in basal diameter when mature. removed by mining, flooding, drought, effectiveness of this disease is not known at overgrazing or construction work. It present. If the disease does not harm native Towards the end of the second growing matures quickly into a perennial small tree season, bunches of attractive white flowers or useful plants, it may be useful as a myco- and once established is difficult to displace. herbicide. However, development of reli- with purple tips appear at the ends of each This is due to its ability to colonize exposed branch. Thereafter flower production is able biocontrol methods takes time and areas, put down a deep tap root and reach more conventional control measures should almost continuous. Fruiting pods are mango reproductive maturity rapidly. like in appearance. They are thin-skinned be employed until then. and mostly full of air. The seeds are pro- The drought now gripping large areas of In the mean time landowners should avoid duced along a central structure. They are ini- Australia greatly favours the spread of calo- overgrazing and should mechanically tially white, maturing to dark brown. Once trope. The deep tap root allows the plant to uproot the plant or apply registered herbi- mature, the pod splits, releasing about 300 survive and flourish in dry periods. Once cides for the control of their calotrope seeds.Thecomoseortuftofhair,atoneend established, the mature plant flowers nearly problem. of the seed, aids in wind and water dispersal. year round and so there are seeds available By: Peter Wilkinson, Tropical Weeds Calotrope is a member of the Asclepiad- whenever germination rain falls. This Research Center, Department of Natural aceae, the milkweed family. They are so- allows the plant to colonize denuded areas. Resources and Mines, PO Box 187, named because, when injured, a milky latex It out-competes useful native pasture Charters Towers, 4820, Australia is produced. This protects the plant and plants, rapidly covering areas which would Email: [email protected] heals the wound. The latex of calotrope is otherwise support grazing. Where thickets Fax: +61 7 4787 3969 very bitter to taste and is toxic, causing occur, mustering cattle becomes difficult deaths of livestock in some countries. and access to watering points reduced. ❑ 34N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2

Revisiting History with wise, Cornops is not expected to threaten An article based on the report appeared in Water Hyacinth two other African that Water Hyacinth News No. 6, see: experienced some damage in the labora- www.impecca.net/ Biocontrol of water hyacinth (Eichhornia tory. One incidence of oviposition only was crassipes) has a long history. It was first recorded on Monochoria africana but com- The study found that: attempted in 1971 with the release of the plete development was never recorded. • Water hyacinth infestations increased mite Orthogalumna terebrantis in Zambia, Equally, although some individuals com- rapidly from 1997 and reached a and other agents were released there and in pleted development on Eichhornia natans, maximum in 1998 with infestations Zimbabwe shortly after. In the next three neither feeding nor oviposition was particularly severe in the northern part decades, biocontrol introductions of up to recorded, and, as it is a submerged plant, of the lake. six arthropod agents were made in 34 coun- lack of emergent leaf material and sub- tries around the world. There is therefore a merged petioles are expected to preclude • A sharp decline in water hyacinth lot of experience to draw on, but as knowl- establishment by Cornops on this species in occurred in 1999. edge has increased, earlier work can also be the wild. • A low level of water hyacinth has been reconsidered with the benefit of hindsight A series of adult choice trials are being maintained, although there was a small and advancing technology. Two recent ini- finalized. Once these results have been ana- lake-wide increase in 2001. tiatives have done just that. The first is a lysed a release report will be submitted to new look at a previously discarded prospec- The report notes that Neochetina weevils the National Department of Agriculture and tive biocontrol agent, and the second a ret- were first released in Uganda in late 1995, the Department of Environmental Affairs rospective look at the water hyacinth in Kenya in January 1997, and in Tanzania and Tourism for comment. However, it infestations on Lake Victoria. in August 1997. It points out that the notice- could still be a year before this very dam- able reductions around the lake that began Old Agent Reassessed for New Region aging agent for water hyacinth sees the out- sometime after early 1999 coincided with side of a quarantine laboratory. The Cornops aquaticum was rapidly increasing Neochetina weevil pop- discovered in some of the earliest surveys Remote Sensing for Historical ulations, but also followed the El Niño rains for water hyacinth natural enemies in South Perspective of late 1997/early 1998. It describes how America. In 1974 it was described as one of records show that the lake rose by 1.8 m, Just how much water hyacinth there was on and argues that severe weather created high the most damaging insects associated with Lake Victoria at the height of the infesta- the plant in its region of origin. However, it wind and wave action that may have been tions in the late 1990s and what happened crucial to the break up of plants already was rejected as a biocontrol agent for the to it has been hotly debated in various fora USA, when subsequent investigations indi- waterlogged and damaged through weevil (including this journal). This is not merely activity. cated that under laboratory starvation trials a matter of historical interest, for questions it could feed and complete development on of whether water hyacinth populations are The low post-weevil level of water hya- species other than water hyacinth. More on the rebound still surface regularly, and cinth is just what would be expected in a recently, as the suite of agents released in stakeholders are therefore justifiably con- classical biological control success, but the South Africa has still left gaps in control, cerned about the sustainability of the con- report points out some anomalies in dates researchers have been looking at this prom- trol exerted by the introduced Neochetina of releases and observed reductions in ising insect again. weevils. Part of the trouble has been a lack water hyacinth infestations. It concludes Over the last 5 years, researchers at the of reliable lake-wide year-on-year data on that changes in water hyacinth infestations Plant Protection Research Institute, South the water hyacinth infestations. in Ugandan and Kenyan waters were con- sistent with weevil action (although the role Africa have been testing the some 150 A report* available on the US Geological of weather in hastening the disintegration South African species in the water hyacinth Survey EROS Data Center (EDC) website of the mats should not be discounted). family Pontederiaceae and related families. fills some of the gaps: These no-choice trials with immature and However, it points out that water hyacinth adult Cornops are considered the most cau- http://edcintl.cr.usgs.gov/lakespecialfea- decline along the southern shores in Tan- tious of host specificity tests. ture.html zania followed too rapidly after weevil introduction to be attributed to them, and The report is a result of a study by EDC and The results of the tests indicated that under other factors, particularly the weather at Clean Lakes, Inc. funded by a USAID/ laboratory conditions Cornops could com- this time, are likely to have been critical. Uganda, Greater Horn of Africa Initiative plete development on five other species (GHAI) cooperative agreement with Clean The report also deals with Lake Mihindi in besides water hyacinth. Two of these, Lakes, Inc. Scientists from EDC processed the Kagera River system in Rwanda, which (pickerel weed) and andanalysedremotelysensedimageryin was more than half-covered with water (canna), are introduced and order to develop a geo-referenced database hyacinth by early 1997. Weevils were not potentially invasive in South Africa and to quantify the distribution and extent of released here until September 2000. Dra- thus of no conservation concern. (A taste water hyacinth in Tanzanian, Ugandan and matic reductions in this infestation, coinci- for pickerel weed, however, precludes Cor- Kenyan Lake Victoria, and in some lakes in dent with declines observed in Lake nops' use in the USA because the plant is the Rwandan-Tanzanian Kagera River Victoria, are suggested to have been the indigenous there.) basin over a 5-year period from the early result of flood waters associated with heavy Amongst the indigenous African Ponteder- stages of the infestation. The study also rainfall breaching an outlet; the water hya- iaceae, some specimens of Cornops were analyses this information in relation to cinth may simply have been washed away. able to complete development on Heteran- potentially influential factors such as However, unlike Lake Victoria, by Sep- thera callifolia and plants were quite weather, water level fluctuations and con- tember 2000 the water hyacinth infestations heavily attacked, but adult females were trol measures. In particular, it looks at the had returned. While it may not be entirely unable to oviposit on the thin petioles so the relationship between dates of weevil intro- valid to make direct comparisons between grasshopper is not expected to put this spe- ductions (which varied around the lake), El water bodies of such differing sizes, Lake cies at risk outside the laboratory. Like- Niño events, and water hyacinth decline. Victoria had weevils and continuing News 35N reduced water hyacinth populations been estimated to seasonally cost the New New Zealand (which approves products for (including along its southern shore where Zealand wine and grape growing industry use by organic growers) has accredited weather was also concluded to be the likely up to NZ$18 million in lost grape sales and BOTRY-Zen for use in organic wine pro- cause of the initial decline) whereas Lake in addition up to $12 million annually in duction. Botry-Zen Ltd has now gained full Mihindi had no weevils (at this time) and a disease control costs. product Registration in New Zealand and resurgence of the weed occurred. has recently initiated field trialling in the Botrytis bunch rot (the correct term for the European Union (EU) and in California The report contains clear explanations of disease) can occur at any time during the (USA). The existing New Zealand factory remote sensing tools and methods, and growing season although it’s most destruc- is being expanded considerably and off- invaluable discussions on their use as a tive when warm temperatures follow rain- shore manufacturing licensing is being monitoring tool. It provides fascinating fall either at flowering or later in the closely evaluated so that the product will be insights into the development of water hya- growing season. The fungus can develop on available in commercial quantities once cinth infestations on Lake Victoria, and in dead and dying flower parts, young shoots Registration is achieved. It is envisaged that doing so raises new questions that will and newly emerged leaves and as a moist final Registration in the EU and the USA doubtless fuel renewed debate. Impor- rot on berries in the bunch. Often following will be concluded early in 2005. tantly, it includes recent data showing that rainfall, the fungus is visible as a grey felt- low levels of water hyacinth suitable for like mat of spores on the infected tissues. The BOTRY-Zen product contains a live growth remain in most parts of the lake, and The disease spreads easily from berry to preparation of the spores of the non-inva- concludes that continued active and aggres- berry in the bunch later in the season and sive, non-pathogenic saprophytic fungus sive management will reduce the likelihood from these infected berries masses of air- isolated by HortResearch. It acts as a true of a major resurgence. Whilst the weevils borne spores are produced which are liber- antagonist, aggressively occupying the same are still very much in evidence, additional ated into the vineyard to infect other physical space and out-competing Botrytis measures may be necessary to contain pop- berries. While limited/managed infection for the nutrients in dead and senescent mate- ulations in the long term and a sustainable still allows for high quality ‘botrytised’ rial in the vines, especially flower tissues management plan is needed. This study wine production, in most cases the fungus such as stamens, flowers caps and aborted contributes substantially to the baseline continues to rot grapes on the vine reducing fruitlets. A significant added bonus is that knowledge needed to develop a strategy by yield and causing winemaking problems. In this mechanism of action makes it unlikely providing data on the development of the addition, mechanical harvesting means that that resistance to the product will develop. water hyacinth infestation in different parts even low numbers of infected bunches can of the lake. not be separated during harvesting opera- Trials in New Zealand vineyards since 1997 have demonstrated that BOTRY-Zen, *Albright, T.; Moorhouse, T.; McNabb, tions, thereby contaminating the entire applied twice over the flowering period and T. (2002) The abundance and distribution of crop. Not only does Botrytis bunch rot twice over bunch closure, provides protec- water hyacinth in lake Victoria and the affect grape-growing but serious damage is tion against Botrytis infection at compa- Kagera River basin, 1989-2001. Sioux Falls, also incurred worldwide on berry fruit, rable levels to, or better than, standard SD/Martinez, CA, USA; USGS/EROS Data kiwifruit, and tomato crops. fungicide programmes. Center/Clean Lakes, Inc., 42 pp. Conventional control of B. cinerea is based Contact: [Cornops] Martin Hill, on repeated sprays of chemical ‘botryi- BOTRY-Zen does not control other grape Department of Zoology and Entomology, cides’, but efficacy may be limited by the diseases such as powdery or downy mildew Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, development of resistant Botrytis strains but research commissioned by Botry-Zen Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa and regulatory restrictions on the timing Ltd has shown that some commonly used Email: [email protected] and number of applications. In addition, fungicides are compatible with BOTRY- there is growing consumer pressure to Zen, with some being able to be tank [Remote sensing] Tom Albright, reduce the number of chemical pesticides mixed. This is an exciting new develop- SAIC – USGS/EROS Data Center, used in the vineyard. These impediments ment with both botrytis and powdery Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA opened the way for researching a biological mildew almost completely controlled this Email: [email protected] approach to control the disease. HortRe- last season with tank mixes. Research is [Remote sensing] Tom Moorhouse, search, with support from the Winegrowers continuing at HortResearch to assess com- Clean Lakes, Inc., Martinez, of New Zealand (now ‘New Zealand Wine- patibility with other fungicides used for California, USA Growers’) and Technology New Zealand these diseases. Email: [email protected] looked for a suitable antagonist: an The discovery and underpinning research Website: www.cleanlake.com organism that could out-compete and sup- was undertaken and funded by HortRe- ❑ press botrytis without having any detri- mental effects on the vine itself. The search. Subsequent developmental research scientists isolated a naturally occurring was jointly funded by HortResearch and by Biocontrol Agent Out- saprophytic fungus from dead leaf litter the Wine Institute of New Zealand Incorpo- Competes Wine Disease whichprovedtobeanaggressiveandsuc- rated and the New Zealand Grape Growers cessful competitor of B. cinerea.HortRe- Council whose commercial arms, Wine- In recent years, New Zealand’s wine has search then applied for a patent relating to growers of New Zealand Ltd and New Zea- gained a fine reputation and some 1% of the the use of this saprophytic fungus as a bio- land Grape Growers Ltd formed a joint world market. As in many other wine- logical control agent. venture called Winegrape Tech. Winegrape growing regions, however, disease is a con- Tech has the right to commercially exploit stant threat. ‘Bunch rot’ or ‘grey mould’ of In April 2001, Botry-Zen Ltd was set up to the HortResearch patent rights and other grapes, caused by the fungus Botrytis cin- commercialize the registered product intellectual property rights associated with erea, is arguably the most important dis- BOTRY-Zen, marketing it as an alternative the saprophytic fungus organisms them- ease problem confronting the New Zealand Botrytis control product for grape growers selves and has granted to Botry-Zen Ltd an wine industry and is a significant problem who wanted to be able to describe their crops exclusive licence of those rights in all coun- for the wine industry worldwide. It has as ‘sustainably grown’. In addition, Bio-Gro tries that are parties to the Patent Co-opera- 36N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 tion Treaty. The research was also funded • To collaborate with international research, production and field trials with by the Foundation for Research Science research institutions in the exploration biological control agents and pheromones. and Technology and through a Technology and exchange of native natural Since February 2001, when it moved into a Business Growth grant. enemies under a previous cooperative newly constructed laboratory complex, agreement. staff have been busy with, amongst other Source: Botry-Zen Ltd website: activities, scaling up and increasing the During the 12 years of activities, the labo- range of biocontrol products. The new www.botryzen.co.nz/INDEX.HTML ratory has processed 181 introductions of facilities include a laboratory complex for biocontrol agents and other microorgan- Contact: John Scandrett, CEO, production and quality testing of biological isms involving 17 species of insect parasi- BotryZen Ltd, PO Box 1777, control agents, walk-in incubators and cold toids, two of predators, nine of mites, seven Dunedin, New Zealand storage rooms, along with glasshouses and of nematodes and 146 of different microor- Email: [email protected] experimental fields. The construction of the ganisms. Also several international biolog- Fax: +64 3 4772953 state-of-the-art laboratory complex was a ical control projects have received major landmark in the history of biological Philip Elmer (principle research scientist), cooperation from the quarantine laboratory, control of crop pests in the country. BCRL, HortResearch Ruakura Research Centre, including USDA-ARS (US Department of which is a Department of Scientific and Hamilton, New Zealand Agriculture – Agricultural Research Industrial Research (Government of India) Email: [email protected] Service), University of Florida (USA), recognised laboratory, was also the recip- IITA (International Institute of Tropical Peter Wood (viticulture scientist), HortRe- ient of its National Award for Excellence in Agriculture), IRD (Institut de Recherche search Hawkes Bay Research Centre, R&D Efforts in Industry in the Agro pour le Développement, France), CIAT New Zealand Industry Category for the year 1993. (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Trop- Email: [email protected] ical) and Amsterdam University (the Neth- BCRL has made several innovations and ❑ erlands) amongst others. standardized mass production techniques for a variety of natural enemies and their Other activities carried out by the labora- hosts. These include: Brazil Quarantine tory are: • Development of a breeding-cum- Laboratory Celebrates 12 • To manage the International shipment container for the predatory Years Information System on Biological mite Amblyseius tetranychivorus Control via the Internet: The Brazilian National Quarantine Labora- www.bdt.org.br/bdt/biocontrol • Design and development of a unique, tory ‘Costa Lima’ Embrapa Environment together with a discussion list: easy-to-use insect water trap for mass has for the last 12 years fostered interna- [email protected] trapping of sugarcane borers and pests tional exchange and undertaken quarantine of other field crops, in association with of beneficial organisms for biological con- • To maintain a database about sex pheromone lures trol. It is the only institution in Brazil biological control agents in Brazil. • Establishment of a mass production authorized, since 1991, by the Ministry of • To alert the public about bringing facility for continuous year-round Agriculture and Supply (MA) to introduce organisms into Brazil that are not laboratory production of Helicoverpa natural enemies for pest control and other officially approved, providing armigera and Spodoptera litura beneficial organisms for scientific research. pamphlets, information brochures, It is also one of the mandates of the labora- meetings, videos and lectures. • Doubling productivity of eggs of the tory to interact with foreign institutions for alternate laboratory host Corcyra The Brazilian Quarantine facility intends to export of biocontrol agents. cephalonica be an overseas laboratory for foreign ThemainservicesprovidedbytheQuaran- research institutions around the world in • Increasing temperature tolerance and tine Laboratory are: order to promote biological control pro- searching capacity of Trichogramma • To prepare documents needed by grammes, and biocontrol workers are wel- spp. come to contact us to discuss possible interested professionals to request • Devising blister packing for shipment initiatives. permits for importation (which are of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri grubs to issued by the Ministry of Agriculture). By: J. Tambasco; F. Lucchini; L. A. N. de avoid cannibalism during transportation • To assist interested professionals in Sá;E.A.B.DeNardoandM.A.B. • Development of technology for mass locating suitable sources of biocontrol Morandi production and formulation of agents for introduction. Lab. de Quarentena ‘Costa Lima’, entomopathogenic fungi • To collect and evaluate information Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Cx. P. 69, In addition, under an innovative industry- concerning import and export of 13820-000, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil institution partnership project with Tamil natural enemies. Email: [email protected] Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore it has successfully developed methods for • To provide information to the Ministry ❑ improving commercial scale production, of Agriculture concerning safety of formulation and field efficacy of nuclear proposed introductions, in consonance Indian Bio-Control polyhedrosis viral (NPV) pesticides under with a supporting Technical Committee Research Laboratories the National Agricultural Technology of Brazilian researchers expert in Progress Project, Indian Council for Agricultural biocontrol. Research (ICAR). Bio-Control Research Laboratories • To provide quarantine services. (BCRL), established at Bangalore in 1981, The efforts made by BCRL have played a • To monitor releases and evaluate is the R&D division of Pest Control (India) crucial role in popularizing and transferring efficacy. Private Ltd (PCI). BCRL is engaged in biocontrol technology from research labo- News 37N ratories to farmers’ fields in India. An thus the ERBIC-authored paper is very results obtained in this exercise confirmed a exclusive Field Extension and Education timely. number of expectations in relation to pre- Unit was established in 2002 to create vious experience. The authors also identi- awareness about biological control tech- The paper points out that although biocon- fied both under- and over-estimates of risk nology at the grass root level. Qualified trol has a good track record in terms of by this method (and under-estimates partic- supervisory staff and trained field assistants safety, the current popularity of commer- ularly where there is limited knowledge of are being recruited and posted in different cial inundative biocontrol may result in the release area ecosystem). In addition, parts of the country for carrying out field problems as an increasing number of activ- attention is drawn to variations between demonstrations to validate the performance ities are undertaken without appropriate risk index values for the same species in of biocontrol products in farmers’ fields. training or understanding of risk. It is this different release areas. Based on their col- The service network of 85 establishments area of biocontrol that the ERBIC project lective experience the authors give index of the parent company is increasingly being has focused on (although some of the prin- ranges for three risk categories: low (usu- used to provide biocontrol inputs directly to ciples and approaches will apply to clas- ally meaning no objection to release), inter- the farmers all over India. sical biocontrol). The authors recognize mediate (where further specified that the challenge is to achieve a balance in information would be requested before a BCRL has been an active participant in developing protocols and guidelines to pre- decision was made) and high (indicating the All India Coordinated Research vent serious mistakes occurring in that release would normally be advised Project on Biological Control since its importing and releasing harmful exotic spe- against). inception. In 2003 it signed a Memo- cies while still allowing safe biocontrol to randum of Understanding with the Uni- proceed. They identify the most critical The potential for the use of such an index is versity of Agricultural Sciences, ecological issues as being able to estimate clear. For example, agents used against a Bangalore for collaborative teaching, (a) the probabilities of attack on non-target single pest could be ranked in terms of risk research and extension. In addition, it has organisms and (b) the dispersal and estab- for a given release area. In addition, while been operating collaborative projects with lishment capacities of the biocontrol agent. the current study does not allow conclu- international research organizations such The methodology described in this paper sions about risks for specific groups of nat- as Natural Resources Institute, UK. integrates information on the potential for ural enemies to be drawn, analysis of more an agent to establish in a non-target habitat, Contact: K. P. Jayanth, General Manager, cases might allow such generalizations to its potential dispersal distance, its host be made. The authors caution, however, Bio-Control Research Laboratories, range (number of species), and its potential A division of Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd., against narrow interpretation of the index, direct and indirect effects on non-target noting that different criteria may be more or PO Box 6426, Yelahanka, organisms. Bangalore 560 064, India less important in different circumstances, Email: [email protected] / One of the most difficult parameters to and that high risk values are not by defini- [email protected] assess is the potential for adverse effects on tion negative. They conclude that while Fax: +91 80 8468838 non-target organisms (and the ecosystems meaningful ranking of natural enemies in Website: www.pcilindia.com in which they function), especially for gen- risk categories now seems possible, such an eralist natural enemies that impact on many index should be used by biological control ❑ species. Host range forms a central element experts as an element in a wider assessment of the described risk evaluation process, of the safety of a potential biocontrol agent. Guidance for Inundative because a lack of host specificity could lead The authors recognize the biocontrol Biocontrol to unacceptable risk if such an agent were to establish and disperse widely whereas, in industry’s fear that the common trend The European Union-funded ERBIC (Eval- contrast, a strictly monophagous agent towards more stringent regulatory require- uating Environmental Risks of Biological would not be expected to pose serious risk ments by countries will lead to lengthy pro- Control Introductions into Europe) project however well established or widely dis- cedures and thus high costs, which in turn has published a paper proposing method- persed it became. Although few natural could threatens the sector’s financial via- ology for assessing the risk of biocontrol enemies are truly monophagous, many bility. However, they argue that the risk introductions*. However, BioControl’s have a restricted host/prey range. For clas- assessment procedure they propose is a first editor-in-chief and project team member sical biocontrol, the narrower the host step towards light and harmonized registra- Heikki Hokkanen notes in the Editorial to range, in general, the better. However, the tion that will not be prohibitive for the the issue, the topic is a controversial one, so biocontrol industry sometimes favours the industry. the paper should be viewed as opening sci- more polyphagous natural enemies pre- entific discussion on how to demonstrate cisely because they will control a range of *Van Lenteren, J.C.; Babendreier, D.; the safety or otherwise of candidate biocon- taxonomically unrelated pests. This ten- Bigler, F.; Burgio, G.; Hokkanen, H.M.T.; trol agents. dency is particularly likely to give rise to Kuske, S.; Loomans, A.J.M.; Menzler- non-target effects. Hokkanene, I.; Van Rijn, P.C.J.; Thomas, In the last issue of BNI, a news article on M.B.; Tommasini, M.G.; Zeng, Q.Q. proposals for the revision of the Code of In an illustrative case history exercise, the (2003) Environmental risk assessment of Conduct for the Import and Release of proposed methodology is applied to a exotic natural enemies used in inundative Exotic Biological Control Agents (ISPM number of natural enemy species currently biological control. BioControl 48,3-38. No. 3) reminded us that ISPM No. 3 does mass reared and released for biocontrol of not set out in detail how to assess whether a pests in glasshouse and open-field condi- **See the ERBIC website for further infor- proposed introduction is safe. No risk anal- tions in Europe, drawing on published mation: ysis process is explained, although the information and expert opinion. Agents are requirement for collection of information in assigned a numerical value (1-5) for the http://honeybee.helsinki.fi/MMSBL/ dossiers implied that risk analysis would be likelihood and magnitude of each criterion MAEL/Hankkeet/ERBIC/index.htm the basis of decisions. The article high- considered, and these values are used to lighted the need for detailed guidance, and calculate a risk index for each agent**. The ❑ 38N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2

UK Non-Natives Review As readers will be aware classical biolog- This represents an important endorsement ical control is considered novel in the UK of biological control by the UK govern- The UK Government has recently pub- as well as in Europe so it is an important ment and should lead to more use in the UK lished its non-native species policy review. fact that the review recommends that: “stra- of what has become the mainstay of sus- A series of working groups were set up to tegic funding should be made available to tainable control for arthropod and plant consider current arrangements for dealing support the development of novel control pests in many countries around the world. with the introduction, establishment and techniques for invasive non-native spe- spread of non-native species, and assess the cies”. Furthermore, in the draft of their first Review of Non-native Species Policy: main pathways through which non-native Science and Innovation Strategy, the species are introduced and spread. The Department for Environment, Food and www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ report makes recommendations to improve Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have followed up resprog/findings/non-native/index.htm measures to limit the ecological and eco- the review team's recommendation and nomic impact of invasive non-native spe- committed to launching a new research Science & Innovation Strategy: Delivering cies in Great Britain. In general the review programme on alien and invasive species the Evidence: follows the recommendations of the Con- including further work on biological con- vention on Biological Diversity (CBD) trol of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia www.defra.gov.uk/Science/S_IS/ guiding principles on invasive alien species japonica) which was one of the case study and the three-stage hierarchical approach. species in the original review. ❑ IPM Systems

This section covers integrated pest man- Specimens of E. saccharina have been col- ures include avoiding ‘stand-over’ cane agement (IPM) including biological con- lected in Africa since the early 20th cen- (cane allowed to grow longer than the rec- trol, and techniques that are compatible tury. Walker in 1865 first described it from ommended 12-14 months in coastal condi- with the use of biological control or mini- sugarcane in Sierra Leone, West Africa. In tions), whenever possible. In addition, cane mize negative impact on natural enemies. West Africa it is a well-known pest of is cut at or below ground level so as to pre- , sorghum and millet, but only a vent larvae in the stumps infesting ratoon Creating Semiochemical minor pest in sugarcane. In 1954 it was crops; after cutting, all residue stalk mate- Diversions to Control observed as a pest of sugarcane in East rial is removed, and exposed cane stumps Africa. The first signs of E. saccharina in are covered with soil to kill eggs and young Sugarcane Borers sugarcane in South Africa appeared in larvae. Plant resistance research has pro- Sugarcane has been cultivated for well over 1939-1940 near Umfolozi, KwaZulu- duced varieties of sugarcane that are more a century in KwaZulu-Natal and more Natal, but the infestations dissipated about resistant than others to E. saccharina infes- recently in the Mpumalanga low-veld in 5 years later. During 1970 a severe out- tation under South African conditions, but South Africa. Currently, areas under sugar- break occurred near Hluhluwe, KwaZulu- there are currently no varieties that are cane exceed 400,000 hectares, which feed a Natal and E. saccharina regained its pest completely resistant to this pest. status. Since 1970 it has become wide- total of 16 sugar mills. It is grown commer- The biocontrol programme at SASEX spread in the KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga cially, creating revenue (about 2 million (South African Sugar Experiment Station) and Swaziland sugarcane belt. It is now the tonnes of sugar is produced annually) as has investigated two sources of most damaging insect pest in sugarcane, well as employment opportunities (about 1 to test against E. saccharina. One source is causing on average 1% loss in sucrose for million people are dependent on the sugar indigenous parasitoids of this insect in its every 1% of internodes bored. The most industry) for the country. Around 66% of natural habitats within South Africa and recent estimates made in 1995 suggest that sugarcane produced is grown commercially other African countries, (‘translocation of E. saccharina causes a revenue loss of R60 by 2000 large-scale commercial growers, natural enemies’). The other is parasitoids million [~US$7.7 million] per annum. with the balance produced by 45,000 small- from related borers of graminaceous crops and medium-scale growers. Various control methods are under investi- from other continents at the same latitudes gation, but all have some limitations. One as the southern African sugarcane belt The pyralid moth, Eldana saccharina,orig- of the biggest constraints of insecticidal (‘new associations’). inates from indigenous wetland and large- control is the cryptic nature of E. saccha- grass habitats in Africa, and is now the pri- The ultimate aim is to find a parasitoid, rina. The least cryptic life-stages are the mary insect pest in sugarcane in South from either source, which will accept and adult moths or neonate larvae that have just Africa. The females lay well-hidden eggs, establish on E. saccharina in southern hatched. These have been targeted in this so that they are protected from predators African sugarcane. Problems, however, approach, as they are exposed and vulner- and parasitoids. The larvae bore into sugar- have included climatic incompatibility of able while mating and seeking feeding sites cane stalks where they feed and ultimately parasitoids introduced to South Africa, and respectively. E. saccharina is multivoltine pupate. Here too, they are well protected, the cryptic nature of E. saccharina in sug- and occurs all year round, which would not just from natural enemies, but also from arcane, which places it out of reach of a require continual applications of insecti- the influence of insecticides. The larvae are large proportion of parasitoids collected cides and/or more persistent insecticides, the damaging life-stages, and as they bore from indigenous habitats. In addition, E. both of which are not always ideal because into the sugarcane stem, they not only cause saccharina’s ability to encapsulate parasi- of cost and potentially negative environ- feeding damage, but also create entry toid eggs and larvae, and the apparent ina- mental effects. points for fungal and bacterial infection bility of introduced parasitoids to remain in into the sugarcane stalk, thereby further Cultural control of E. saccharina has and search the sugarcane habitat for any decreasing the sugar yield from the crop. proved successful to some extent. Meas- length of time for the large number of hosts News 39N present in the crop are further compounding (Sorghum bicolor) and Napier grass (Pen- stages when considering an SDD to control establishment attempts with parasitoids. nisetum purpureum), received about 50% insect pests. Another constraint has been the recent dis- oviposition in comparison to sugarcane, Parasitoid response and activity to stalk covery of the potential existence of bio- and may make more adequate trap plants. borers in sugarcane and the five grass spe- types of E. saccharina, the west and central This study reveals that ovipositing females cies mentioned above was also investi- African populations forming one group, show some level of host plant selection. gated. In the quasi-complete Latin Square and the east and southern African popula- Non-crop plants had either around 50% of field trial, natural parasitism of stalk borers tions forming another. Parasitoids from one total egg load in the cage or negligible num- was monitored. Parasitoid activity was population may not perform as well on the bers, which suggests that females may have greatest in wild sorghum, which was to be other population. a yes/no response in selecting hosts for ovi- expected, as this grass is a natural host of E. position, and for this reason repulsion may The indigenous host plants of E. saccha- saccharina and Chilo partellus.Whatis be more important than attraction in con- rina are large-stemmed grasses and wet- interesting is that parasitoids did not limit trolling E. saccharina. land sedges in the genus Cyperus.Itis their foraging to wild sorghum, but para- believed that the host shift to sugarcane and sitism was frequently observed in borer In the field trial, where the same five grass other introduced crops occurred because species collected from plant plots neigh- species and sugarcane were planted in a these crop plants were planted into the wet- bouring wild sorghum. This is promising, E. saccha- land areas. The sedge habitats, in compar- quasi-complete Latin-square, especially as natural parasitism was ison to sugarcane, have high levels of rina larvae were recovered predominantly observed in sugarcane plots neighbouring parasitism of E. saccharina, and it is in sugarcane and wild sorghum, and only wild sorghum on two sides. Natural para- assumed that these parasitoids have not yet very rarely in P. purpureum. This indicates sitism in neighbouring control sugarcane associated sugarcane with harbouring their that female host plant selection is not monocrops has been negligible. Sugarcane insect hosts, and therefore do not readily related to offspring feeding sites. Survival in the study site also had comparatively forage in sugarcane. This has led Dr Des of larvae fed on P. purpureum has been lower percentage internodes damaged in Conlong, from the Entomology Depart- shown to be very low, which may explain comparison to neighbouring control sugar- ment at SASEX to initiate investigation the negligible numbers found on P. pur- cane, an effect that can be partly explained into the potential of Stimulo-Deterrent pureum in the field. However, dead larvae by parasitoid activity and partly by the var- Diversion (SDD) systems to control E. sac- were not collected, and borings were iable habitat of alternate hosts for E. sac- charina in sugarcane. This intercropping seldom noted in P. purpureum,whichmay charina. system has shown great success in Kenya indicate that the plant kills larvae at very by controlling Chilo partellus in maize (Dr early, pre-boring, stages or larvae disperse Laboratory studies, using two-way olfac- Z. R. Khan, International Centre for Insect from P. purpureum. This finding initiated tometer and two-choice cage trials, were Physiology and Ecology, Kenya) and may research into host selection in neonate restricted to the ichneumonid wasp Xan- have application in sugarcane. larvae. Research is currently underway and thopimpla stemmator, a new association is focussed on sugarcane and two sedges parasitoid from Chilo sacchariphagus in SDD systems rely on trap plants that attract (Cyperus dives and C. papyrus), which are sugarcane in Mauritius, and the tachinid fly ovipositing females of pest insects away known indigenous hosts of E. saccharina, Sturmiopsis parasitica, a translocated E. from the crop, and deterrent plant species andthetwograssesmentionedabove. saccharina parasitoid collected from maize that repel pests from the crop. By taking in Benin, West Africa. Various Melinis spe- this system to the next trophic level, one Cage trials showed that E. saccharina cies (Graminae) and silver-leaf desmodium, can include plants that attract parasitoids of females oviposited almost exclusively on Desmodium uncinatum (Leguminosae) the pest into the crop areas. Parasitoids are dead leaf material (>99%) in all plants appear to be attractive to both parasitoids. believed to respond to chemical cues pro- tested. However, when neonate larvae were Bothriocloa insculpta,agrassonwhichE. duced by the habitats of their insect hosts as offered a choice of dead or green leaf mate- saccharina oviposition was lowest and long-range kairomones, before responding rial in bioassay trials, they almost exclu- which may be repellent to the moth, was to short-range cues emanating directly from sively selected green plant material of all attractive to S. parasitica. The effects of their hosts. This two-tiered effect can be host plants tested. This reinforces the these grasses in the field still need to be exploitedinanSDDsystem. hypothesis that oviposition sites are not evaluated. However, thus far indigenous related to feeding sites. This finding is of parasitoids are attracted to certain indige- Our study has thus far focussed on potential nous hosts, and exotic parasitoids have trap plants for E. saccharina, investigating importance, as the general belief was that young larvae fed in decaying material shown responses to various grasses, which various grasses in comparison to sugar- may aid in enticing parasitoids into our sug- behind older leaf sheaths and/or in the soil cane, tested in cage and field trials. Ovipo- arcane environment. sition behaviour of female moths was before boring into the stalk at a later stage. investigated in cage trials by comparing In addition, neonate larvae in choice trials The SDD system certainly has potential to egg batches and egg numbers laid on non- are showing a preference for the leaf mate- control E. saccharina in southern African crop plants in comparison to sugarcane in rial of their indigenous host plants (C. sugarcane. Eldana saccharina moths two way choice tests. Initially, five grasses papyrus and C. dives) rather than sugar- appear to show some selectivity of host were tested and although eggs were laid on cane. What needs to be determined is the plants for oviposition, and they are highly all of them, three species (Panicum max- type of response of the larvae, whether it is selective with regards to actual oviposition imum, Bothriochloa insculpta and Hypar- to tactile or volatile chemicals. There is sites on those plants, choosing dead and rhenia dregeana) had an average of less much conflicting data on dispersal capabil- senescing material and very cryptic sites. than two egg batches and 20 eggs laid on ities of neonates, which still needs to be This study showed that some plants might them,incomparisontoaveragesgreater clarified so that testing can commence on have deterrent effects on female moths, than three and 100 respectively in associ- larval preferences in cage trials. This although this still needs further research. ated sugarcane plants. These three grass research is promising with regards to trap- Olfactometer trials showed female moths species are therefore not attractive to egg- ping the insect pest, and shows the impor- responded least to molasses grass (Melinis laying females. Two grasses, wild sorghum tance of not neglecting other mobile life- minutiflora –SouthAfricanseedsource), 40N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 and this plant is currently being tested could be synthesized and used, for example cept more appealing to farmers, and will under field conditions as a potential repel- in baited traps for the pest. Once candidate hopefully together cause increases in lent to the pest. Repellent plants need to be push-and-pull plants have been identified, sucrose yield, through reduced pest inci- effective at the orientation stage of host they need to be tested together under field dence and longer cropping cycle, and gain searching by moths, not at a landing stage, conditions. Implementation of such a greater return per hectare from the land. because the aim is to repel the moths away system in big commercial farms will also from the general vicinity of the crop. need some consideration. Possibilities of By: B. Kasl, D. E. Conlong and M. J. Byrne utilizing some of the plants in green man- Plants that do repel moths almost certainly uring, or ensuring that non-crop plants uti- Contact: Barbara Kasl, Postal Private Bag do so through the release of volatile chemi- lized have other uses and values X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, cals, and this opens opportunities for syn- (preventing soil erosion, nitrogen fixing, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa thesizing the active chemical components cultural uses such as thatch grass, alternate Email: [email protected] / and utilizing these in the field. Perhaps a crops, etc.), may aid in its application on [email protected] moth and parasitoid attractant may be dis- farms. Integrated approaches and multiple covered from indigenous host plants that benefits, such as these, will make the con- ❑ Training News

In this section we welcome all your experi- a network of partnerships between the two oured for its education efforts, as well as ences in working directly with the end- USDA agencies, land grant universities and development of more than 20 informational users of arthropod and microbial biocon- numerous other local, state and federal enti- products including brochures, reports, CD- trol agents or in educational activities on ties. Fields of study have included, in part, ROMs, news articles, a 30-minute docu- natural enemies aimed at students, farmers, classical biological control, multi-species mentary aired regionally on US Public Tel- extension staff or policymakers. grazing and judicious herbicide use. In evision stations and a series of ‘how-to’ addition, TEAM Leafy Spurge also stresses IPM manuals that have proven wildly suc- TEAMwork against Leafy information and education, two compo- cessful with their intended audience. The Spurge – Part 2 nents vital to ensuring the continued appli- first, a 24-page, full colour offering entitled cation of successful biocontrol and other ‘Biological control of leafy spurge’, has “Got a bug for that?” IPM strategies developed under the pro- been the most sought after, with more than gramme. 40,000 manuals distributed in 27 American A few short years ago that question, and the states and four Canadian provinces. But it’s questioner, a frustrated area rancher, would Its efforts have been well-rewarded. Not not the only popular outreach product. have caught the noxious weed researcher only has the programme successfully dem- More than 10,000 ‘how-to’ manuals on by complete surprise, but today, thanks to onstrated dramatic reductions in spurge multi-species grazing have also been dis- the spectacular accomplishments of mil- densities across wide areas, but its educa- tributed, along with several thousand lions of Aphthona spp. flea beetles, the tion efforts have garnered it the top Tech- copies of the newest offering ‘Herbicide inquiry has become increasingly routine. nology Transfer Award for 2002 from the control of leafy spurge’. USDA’s scientific research arm, the Agri- The weed-eating beetles have been distrib- cultural Research Service, for Outstanding uted in the USA through a unique, biologi- The 30-minute documentary entitled Effort. In a ceremony at ARS national cally based research and demonstration ‘Purging spurge: corralling an ecological headquarters in February 2003 TEAM programme aimed at curbing the problem- bandit’, developed by TLS in cooperation members were recognized for their efforts atic Eurasian perennial leafy spurge with Prairie Public Broadcasting in Fargo, in “spreading the word” about ways to (Euphorbia esula complex) [see also BNI North Dakota, aired regionally in June of combat leafy spurge, and more importantly 22(1), 1N-2N (March 2001), TEAMwork last year and is now being offered nation- for equipping its customers with the tools against leafy spurge]. TEAM Leafy Spurge wide in the USA. It was also nominated for needed to do the job. (TLS) is credited with much of the several broadcast awards. TLS efforts have expanded interest shown by ranchers and In particular, recognition was given to TLS also been featured in other broadcast pro- public and private land managers in biolog- efforts in the widespread distribution of gramming including a BBC documentary ical control as the cornerstone of a suc- more than 48 million leafy spurge flea bee- entitled ‘Aliens from Planet Earth: Earth cessful weed management programme. tles to ranchers and land managers report’, and Public Broadcasting’s ‘Living on Earth’ series in the USA. TLS was first formed in 1997 when the US throughout much of the Western USA, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural enough flea beetles to establish 16,000 new But the true measure of success for TLS has Research Service joined forces with its release sites. Many of the insects were dis- been the customer uptake of its researcher- sister agency the USDA Animal and Plant tributed during the programme’s numerous developed IPM technologies. One testimo- Health Inspection Service in the first area- field and demonstration days, all of which nial, from South Dakota rancher Larry wide, integrated pest management pro- included ‘hands on’ instruction in flea Nelson, illustrates the point: “The ranchers gramme targeting a noxious weed. beetle collection and redistribution with additional information provided on how to are feeling better about the options that they This biologically based IPM programme use them successfully and combine them now have against leafy spurge. TEAM focuses on researching and demonstrating effectively with other IPM techniques. Leafy Spurge has been a big plus for area effective, affordable and ecologically sus- producers. As of 3-4 years ago we knew tainable leafy spurge management tech- In addition to providing the living tools nothing about biocontrol… TEAM Leafy niques. The 6-year, cooperative needed to effectively and affordably Spurge has done a remarkable job of get- programme stresses teamwork, resulting in manage leafy spurge, TLS was also hon- ting the word out. People in this area are News 41N now seeing the benefits of an IPM out over even larger areas, leafy spurge Or email: [email protected] approach.” could ultimately be reduced to an incidental By: Bethany R. Redlin, TEAM Leafy weed in North America. A summary of That acceptance of IPM strategies outlined Spurge Technology Transfer Specialist, some TLS findings to date follows. by TLS is borne out in a new report issued USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural by North Dakota State University Biocontrol Research Laboratory, 1500 N. Central researchers Nancy Hodur, Larry Leistritz Ave., Sidney, MT 59270, USA Flea beetle establishment improved dra- and Dean Bangsund. The report was E-mail: [email protected] matically at all demonstration sites over the designed to measure how successful the Fax: +1 406 433 5038 course of the project, with 100% establish- TLS programme has been in reaching its ment at 101 release sites in the state of ❑ target audience and in influencing their North Dakota. Across all four states in the weed control plans. Key findings in the programme, black flea beetle (A. lacertosa) report, which included surveys of indi- ICIPE Technology Transfer populations increased their numbers expo- vidual ranchers, and public and private land Unit Celebrates First nentially (as much as 8-fold) in the first 3 managers, include the following: years following release. Resulting canopy Birthday • Noxious weeds were increasingly seen levels declined from averages of about 40% The ICIPE (International Centre of Insect as an important problem by both to 5% or less and reductions in infested Physiology and Ecology) Technology ranchers and land managers. acreage ranged from a norm of about 50% Transfer Unit (TTU) celebrated its first • Both groups reported extensive and over a 3-year period to 80% in North birthday on 1 February 2003. The Unit was growing use of biocontrol and the IPM Dakota through 2002. In addition, TLS established in February 2002 with seed approach, as a complement to researchers demonstrated that insects com- funding from the BioVision Foundation, a previously lone, herbicide treatment bined with multi-species grazing by sheep Swiss not-for-profit institution founded and programmes. produced the best control over the shortest supported by a cash award from Dr Hans R. time, while biological control combined Herren, 1995 World Food Prize laureate • TLS appeared to successfully with fall herbicides provided the most eco- and the Director General of ICIPE. influence landowners’ weed control nomical and long-term control of leafy plans, particularly with regard to spurge. Together, the findings clearly dem- Started in the year 2001 as an NGO, the biological control. Eighty per cent of onstrate the advantages to be gained from BioVision-funded programme initially private land managers, approximately adoption of biological control combined operated from ICIPE’s Mbita Point 60% of public land managers, and 42% with other IPM measures. Research and Training Centre (ICIPE- of ranchers indicated TLS had Mbita) on the shores of Lake Victoria to influenced their plans to use Multi-Species Grazing serve the community in the Suba District of biocontrol, in part because many of the Combining sheep with A. lacertosa led to Kenya. However, based on the fact that Dr constraints to its use cited in earlier the control of between 90% and 99% of the Herren’s vision was to use the World Food studies had moderated. Those 453 acres [~185 ha] infested with leafy Prize money to enhance environmentally constraints were identified as not spurge studied under the programme. and socially acceptable technologies across having access to sufficient insects and Those reductions were achieved without Africa, in February 2002 he spearheaded lack of knowledge in how to use them. negative impacts to cow or sheep average the formation of a TTU at ICIPE with a In the latest survey the number of land daily gains, clearly demonstrating the eco- regional mandate to facilitate appropriate managers who viewed these two issues nomic and environmental advantages of participatory technology development and as significant had dropped from 30- combining these two biologically based transfer. Some of the prize money is still 40% in 1998 and 1999 to under 8% in IPM strategies. being used as seed funds to support the 2002. activities of the TTU, which is currently Herbicides • TLS also appeared to reach a operating in eastern Africa (Kenya, Tan- substantial percentage of its target Improved herbicides, applied at smaller zania, Uganda and Ethiopia). rates, are gaining greater acceptance, cut- audience, with one-third of ranchers The programme at ICIPE-Mbita has been ting the amount of chemical released into and 70% of private and public land operational for the past year with emphasis the environment. Fall herbicide use was managers attending at least one TLS on promoting community-based activities also demonstrated to improve biological event or demonstration site, and in bee keeping, tsetse trapping, push-pull control in areas where insects were only indicating that they were pleased with management of stemborers (lepidopteran) marginally successful, particularly in high the information received. and Striga weed, and indigenous vegetable density areas. Once leafy spurge densities • And finally, 92% of local decision farming through farmers’ groups and asso- were reduced, Aphthona flea beetles main- makers, 71% of public land managers ciations. The technologies are being pro- tained control as determined in observa- and 70% of ranchers supported moted in close collaboration with Kenya tions of several research sites over the past extending funding for the programme, government departments and local and 7 years. It was also determined that the and a large majority of respondents international NGOs operating in Suba Dis- impact of grasshopper control on leafy believe the TEAM Leafy Spurge trict. The programme's close associates in spurge biological control can be minimized model would be applicable to other the district include the Agriculture and if treatments are applied when the grass- problem weeds. Environment Programme of the Diocese of hoppers average above the third instar Homa Bay, CARE Kenya, Kenya Institute Now, as the TEAM Leafy Spurge pro- development stage. of Organic Farming, the Ministry of Agri- gramme winds down, many participants are For additional information about TEAM culture and Rural Development and the finding that their adoption of tools devel- Leafy Spurge or any of the informational Kenya Agricultural Research Institute oped under TLS has led to dramatic reduc- products mentioned, please see the TLS (KARI). tions in spurge infestations in the field. In website at: fact, researchers believe that if the same The activities of the TTU are not solely integrated management plans are carried www.team.ars.usda.gov confined to Suba District. ICIPE-TTU is 42N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 active in other parts of Kenya and neigh- Africa as a component of an effective IPM grammes. In Kenya, Kiambu District, bouring countries. Initiatives include: strategy for effective control of DBM, a which provides most of the cabbage and notorious pest of brassica crops in the • Mango IPM in Maragua ridge of kale consumed in Nairobi, has proved to be region [see BNI 24(1), 3N-4N (March Central Province a role model. The District Crops Officer has 2003), DBM stretching biocontrol in East integrated the information in the District • Coping strategies for the larger grain Africa]. In October 2001, D. semiclausum Crop Development activities and biocon- borer (Prostephanus truncatus)inthe was introduced from Taiwan into Kenya by trol-based IPM of brassicas is being pro- semi-arid areas of Mwingi District, the ICIPE-DBM Biocontrol Project. The moted in a number of farmer field schools Eastern Province first field release was made in July 2002 at (FFS) in the District. In Tanzania, the GTZ • IPM in French beans for Kenyan a pilot site in Taita Hills, and after only two small-scale growers weeks, the first field recoveries were made. (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Additional releases in western and central Zusammenarbeit, Germany) IPM project in • IPM for brassica crops in East Africa Kenya were made in September and Kilimanjaro and Arusha has also adopted (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) October 2002, respectively. Releases were and integrated the new technology in the • Community-based tsetse (Glossina also made in Arusha, Tanzania in District Crop Protection Programmes. The spp.) control in Ethiopia. November 2002. ICIPE-DBM project is still providing the The TTU mandate and emphasis is on parasitoids to the national programmes. training of trainers (ToT) and technical Following these field releases, TTU, in However, in realization of the fact that the backstopping to ensure effective and sus- close collaboration with the DBM project national programmes will need logistical and the ministries of agriculture in Kenya tainable technology transfer from ICIPE to and technical support to facilitate sustain- and Tanzania, organized an intensive national extension systems. How this able transfer of the technology, funding is works in practice is illustrated by recent hands-on one-week ToT course to capaci- being requested for scaling up in East activities supporting diamondback moth tate the national programmes in effective Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). control (Plutella xylostella;DBM)in biocontrol-based IPM for brassica pests in Kenya and Tanzania. their respective countries. For each country, a total of 14 ministry extension By: Brigitte Nyambo, ICIPE, Building DBM Biocontrol-based IPM staff were trained between August 2002 PO Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya Capacity in East Africa and January 2003. This was done in antici- Email: [email protected] The ICIPE DBM research project is based pation that the respective countries would Fax: +254 2 860110/1 on the need to import and release the para- integrate the new technology and informa- sitoid Diadegma semiclausum in Eastern tion in on-going national extension pro- ❑

Announcements

Are you producing a newsletter, writing a Technical developments such as mechan- develop cost-effective and environmentally book, holding a meeting, running an organ- ical harvesting and GM coffee are assessed. friendly ways of controlling the world’s ization or rearing a natural enemy that you Coffee diseases and health implications for most serious coffee pest, coffee berry borer want other biocontrol workers to know human consumers are outlined, together (Hypothenemus hampei). New methods are about? Send us the details and we will with measures farmers/producers can take of no use if not adopted and the intention of announce it in BNI. to minimize the contaminants. Of particular this manual is to explain some of the princi- interest to BNI readers, there is a strong ples and practices of new ‘participatory’ Good Deal from CABI emphasis on the future prospects for coffee ways of working with farmers to those Commodities smallholders. Economic problems and gaps interested in improving the situation of in knowledge are identified. The roles of a smallholder coffee farmers, especially in Coffee Futures and Coffee Farmers variety of measures from participatory the context of the secular, global change the research to telecentres in plugging the gaps sector is facing. Eighteen months ago BNI announced the are examined. What is meant by ‘sustain- publication of Coffee Futures*, a stimu- *Baker, P.S. (ed) (2001) Coffee futures: a able’ is explained in the context of coffee lating and informative sourcebook, which sourcebook of some critical issues con- production, and illustrated by describing deals with some of the critical issues facing fronting the coffee industry. Cenicafé, some of the methods used for raising the international coffee industry at the start Colombia/CAB International,UK;The healthy coffee and managing pests and dis- of the twenty-first century. This book is Commodities Press, 111 pp. Pbk. ISBN eases. Coffee diseases are seen as a partic- now available with a free Manual for Col- 958332356X ular threat, and these are dealt with in detail. laborative Research with Smallholder Some possible ways forward are consid- **Bentley, J.W., Baker, P.S. (2002) Coffee Farmers** for just US$28. ered for those who hope to continue making Manual for collaborative research with Published to coincide with the 2001 World a living from coffee, including speciality, smallholder coffee farmers. Cenicafé, Coffee Conference in London, Coffee organic and biodiversity friendly produc- Colombia/CABI International,UK;The Futures’ purpose was to inform and stimu- tion. Finally, the role of smallholder coffee Commodities Press, 131 pp. Pbk late discussion on contemporary issues in biodiversity conservation is highlighted. Ants as Friends affecting the coffee industry. With contri- butions from 20 international experts from The Manual for Collaborative Research Tree crops are increasingly being protected the full spectrum of the industry, each with Smallholder Coffee Farmers was pro- by agrochemicals, endangering the environ- chapter outlines the latest thinking on a duced out of a Common Fund for Com- ment and human health. This manual* pro- range of topics. modities funded project, which aimed to vides practical tips on making optimal use of News 43N the beneficial weaver ant (Oecophylla sma- Slugs and snails can cause enormous Dra. Claudia Dolinski ragdina) in tree crops, based on improved amounts of economic, medical and veteri- Email: [email protected] insights of underlying ecological principles. nary damage to human societies. Modern ❑ Dr Paul Van Mele, a farmer participatory reduced-tilling methods of agriculture can research and extension specialist at CABI promote the development of high popula- Bioscience, and Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, an tions of slugs in crop fields and even Entomopathogenic entomologist at the Cantho University, resistant crops such as maize and turnip can Nematodes and Symbiotic Vietnam, have combined the rich sources of suffer 20% reductions. The aquatic golden Bacteria scientific and farmers’ knowledge into this apple snail has become a serious pest, manual. It will appeal in particular to univer- destroying rice, maize and citrus crops in The 3rd International Symposium on Ento- sity students, NGO workers, extension staff the Philippines, and in Taiwan US$2 mil- mopathogenic Nematodes and Symbiotic and all those engaged in communicating sci- lion is spent annually to control snails on Bacteria will be held on 4-7 September ence to farmers. 100,000 ha of paddy fields. Aquatic snails 2003 at Ohio State University, Wooster, spread diseases such as liver and blood USA. It is being organized by Harry K. *Van Mele, P.; Cuc, N.T.T. (2003) Ants as flukes in many parts of the world. In China, Kaya (University of California), Heidi friends. Improving your tree crops with after the completion of the Three Gorges Goodrich-Blair (University of Wisconsin), weaver ants. The Commodities Press, 67 pp. Dam, 58 million people will be at risk of Steve Forst (University of Wisconsin) and All books available from: Simon Lea, new infection by snail-borne diseases which Susan Forst (Marion College). CABI Bioscience (UK Centre), Bakeham have a secondary host in water buffalo. Contact: Parwinder Grewal, Department of Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK Entomology, Ohio State University, Email: [email protected] Sessions will be held on: OARDC, 1680 Madison Avenue, Web: www.cabi-commodities.org/ • Economic aspects and snail farming Wooster, OH 44691, USA www.cabi-bioscience.org • Physiology and function Email: [email protected] ❑ Fax: +1 330 263 3686 • Behaviour and ecology ❑ Managing Bushland • Prospects for improved control Weeds • Integrated pest management Eradication of Island Limited numbers of this Australian book* • Population regulation/environmental Invasives are available, which will be of particular aspects The Proceedings of the International Con- interest to those in Mediterranean climates • Conservation, evolution and biodiversity doing on-ground weed control in remnant ference on Eradication of Island Invasives vegetation. Funded by the Natural Heritage • Molluscs, molecules and man is now available for purchase*. Trust (NHT) and the Cooperative Research Further information is on the BCPC website: The conference, which was held at the Uni- Centre (CRC) for Weed Management, it is versity of Auckland, New Zealand in Feb- the result of 4 years work on this topic by www.bcpc.org/Events/Slugs&Snails/ ruary 2001, attracted 52 papers and 21 Environmental Weed Action Network index.htm abstracts focusing on methods used and (EWAN) staff, providing information on Or contact: Prof Georges Dussart, Sympo- results achieved, and covered a wide spec- biological features of weeds and control sium Chairman, Ecology Research Group, trum of methods. The term ‘eradicating’ methods. Canterbury Christ Church University Col- included work to remove invasive species *Brown, K.; Brooks, K. (2003) Bushland lege, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, where complete eradication was some, or weeds, a practical guide to their manage- Kent CT1 1QU, UK many, years away but the methods used ment. Perth, Western Australia; EWAN, Email: [email protected] were achieving positive results or pro- 108 pp. Price: A$38.50 + p&p viding a significant learning experience. ❑ The term ‘island’ included true islands, nat- Orders: Wildflower Society of Western ural habitat islands, remnant and artificial Australia, P.O. Box 64, Nedlands, Latin American Fungi and habitat islands, or new invasions of natural WA 6909, Australia Entomopathogenic ecosystems where eradication is deemed Website: http://members.ozemail.com.au/ Nematodes feasible. Significant learning experiences ~wildflowers/index2.html included methods that had failed. ❑ A Latin American symposium on fungi and Turning the tide of biological invasion by entomopathogenic nematodes is being held eradicating invasive species can yield sub- on 18-22 August 2003 at the Universidade Slugs and Snails Meeting stantial benefits for biodiversity conserva- Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Rio de tion. As more eradications are attempted The meeting ‘Slugs and Snails – Agricul- Janeiro, Brazil. worldwide, it is increasingly important that tural, Veterinary & Environmental Per- Speakers will include Robin J. Stuart (Uni- lessons are learned from each and every spectives’ will be held on 8-9 September versity of Florida, USA), Edwin E. Lewis one of these attempts, whether successful 2003 at Christ Church University College, (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State or unsuccessful. By bringing together all Canterbury, UK. It will consider issues of University, Blacksburg, USA), Nigel the papers and abstracts from the confer- pest control relating to slugs and snails on Hywel-Jones (BIOTEC, Pathumthani, ence in this book, the publishers are making land and in water. Experience of both Thailand), and Carlos Peres da Silva and the insights and practical experience gained farmers and researchers will provide the Richard I. Samuels (Universidade Estadual on combating the threat of invasive alien basis for discussion. More general aspects do Norte Flumenense). species available to a wider audience. of conservation and biodiversity will also be relevant, as will newer methodologies of Contact: Prof. Dr. Richard I. Samuels *Veitch, C.R; Clout, M.N. (eds) (2002) molecular biology. Email: [email protected] Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive 44N BiocontrolNews and Information 2003 Vol. 24 No. 2 species. Proceedings of the International Pathology (SASPP) Congress and the 4th Water Hyacinth Ups and Conference on Eradication of Island Inva- International Workshop on Grapevine Downs sives, University of Auckland, New Zea- Trunk Diseases (jointly organized by the land, February 2001. Cambridge, UK; International Council on Grapevine Trunk With regret, the organizers announce the IUCN Publications Services, 424 pp. Cost: Diseases). cancellation of the 3rd meeting of the IOBC UK£24.50/US$36.75. ISBN 2 8317 0682 3 (International Organization for Biological The AMA has recently launched a website See website for book contents and Control of Noxious Animals and Plants) which aims to revitalize the society and to Global Working Group for the Biological abstracts, postage costs and ordering increase the potential for regional and inter- details: and Integrated Control of Water Hyacinth, national collaboration by providing a mem- which had been planned for Uganda this www.issg.org bers’ directory and highlighting the August. research activities throughout the region. Or contact: IUCN Publications Services See: On the bright side, there is a new website at: Unit, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DL, UK www.AfricanMycology.org www.waterhyacinth.org Email: [email protected] Fax: +44 1223 277175 At the present time, the society is updating This has not only information about the ❑ membership details to enable them to create Working Group but also pages on water the on-line directory, and is calling for hyacinth biology, its weed impact and man- members to fill in a questionnaire and pro- agement, recent and on-going research, and African Mycological vide other relevant information. photos of the weed and its natural enemies, Association Revival together with downloadable pdf files of the Contact: Joanne E. Taylor, Department of proceedings of previous workshops. The African Mycological Association Biological Sciences, University of Bot- (AMA) promotes mycology through con- swana, Private Bag UB 00704, Gaborone, Contact: Martin Hill, Department of tact amongst members in Africa and Botswana Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes Univer- abroad, and also in organizing regional Email: [email protected] / sity, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, congresses. A current aim is to hold the 5th [email protected] South Africa African Mycology Conference (RMC5) in Fax: +267 3185 097 (attn: Taylor) Email: [email protected] South Africa in 2005 in conjunction with the 43rd Southern African Society for Plant ❑ ❑ Conference Reports

Have you held or attended a meeting that similar in overall growth-form (mono- the workshop, scientist and practitioners in you want other biocontrol workers to know carpic perennial) and habit, but can be dis- 17 countries had compiled reports on the about? Send us a report and we will include tinguished by the shape of the leaves. They current status of the species and its control. it in BNI. may be regarded as subspecies of the same See ‘Status reports’ at: species. It remains to be investigated how www.flec.kvl.dk/giant-alien/ Giant Hogweed Biocontrol similar they are biologically. A third spe- Workshop 2003 cies, probably H. persicum, is found in Experiments conducted by the Danish northern Scandinavia, and differs some- Forest and Landscape Research Institute An international workshop on the tax- what in habit (shorter) and growth form suggested that sheep grazing is the cheapest onomy, biology, and potential biocontrol of (polycarpic perennial). non-chemical control method known so far. giant hogweed (Heracleum mante- In the second session (Thursday morning) The Giant Alien project continues for gazzianum) was held in Jelgava, Latvia, on preliminary results of the Giant Alien another 2 years. Hopefully, insect and /or 5-6 March 2003. It was attended by more project were presented. The population fungal antagonists will be found in Europe than 50 researchers and practitioners from biology (including flowering, dormancy, or in the Caucasus, the native range of the 13 European countries, of which half were and individual longevity) has been studied species, potentially controlling this perni- participants in the European Union funded by a team from the Academy of Sciences of cious invasive weed. research project ‘Giant Alien’ [see BNI the Czech Republic. Among the note- 22(3), 54N-56N (September 2001), Europe worthy results were that less than 4% of the By: Hans Henrik Bruun, Danish Forest and acts on invasive alien weeds). seedsshedinonegrowingseasonremained Landscape Research Institute, Hørsholm viable in the soil until the next season. Kongevej 11, DK-2970 Hørsholm, The first session of the workshop Studies of annual growth rings in the roots Denmark (Wednesday afternoon) addressed general of giant hogweed had revealed ages up to 8 Email: [email protected] aspects of invasive species and biological years, considerably more than previously control, as well as the current knowledge of ❑ believed. Preliminary results of studies on the species’ and ecology. It potential insect and fungal antagonists were quickly became evident that more than one presented by researchers from the Univer- International Congress of invasive plant taxon is around in the Euro- sity of Berne and CABI Bioscience UK Plant Pathology pean countries. To the west a species Centre, respectively. known as H. mantegazzianum prevails, The 8th International Congress of Plant whereas in the former Eastern-block coun- The third session (Thursday afternoon) Pathology (ICPP2003) was held in Christch- tries a species known as H. sosnowskyi is addressed the invasion in Europe of giant urch, New Zealand on 2-7 February 2003, dominating. These species seem to very hogweed and methods to control it. Prior to and was attended by over 1200 delegates. News 45N

The Congress had an overarching theme of and the problems associated not only with it also highlighted the continuing need for ‘Solving problems in the real world’, with potential and actual crop losses, but also integrated research and development keynote themes of: Plant pathology in the with financial and political constraints of (chemicals, natural products, biocontrol Asia/Pacific region; Towards integrated phytosanitary issues and trade barriers. Prof agents, induced resistance, the introduction control of soilborne disease; Host/pathogen Mike Wingfield (University of Pretoria, of resistance genes from plants and fungi interactions and molecular plant pathology; South Africa) also made this his topic for into crops, etc.). Tied in with this is the need Towards integrated control of airborne dis- the McAlpine Memorial Address on the for better extension technology and the role ease; and Knowledge transfer for plant increasing threat of disease to exotic planta- of public/private and big company/local pathology. Global Food Security was tion forests in the Southern Hemisphere. He addressed in a Public Forum evening ses- chose Cryphonectria canker of Eucalyptus farmer partnerships. sion, while a wide range of specialist plant to illustrate differences in taxonomy and pathology topics formed the foci of virulence between apparently similar iso- Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens numerous satellite workshops and evening lates on different continents. More research sessions. Following plenary lectures each into taxonomy and reclassification of Amongst a wide variety of presentations, morning, delegates were given the choice of exotic forestry pathogens was called for. Professor Alison Stewart (Lincoln Univer- four concurrent themed sessions; in total Also, there seems to be increasing aware- sity, New Zealand) detailed the importance over 150 presentations were made by invited ness of the importance of accurate new geo- of matching the mode of action of the bio- speakers. Two afternoons were set aside graphic records to keep track of the control agent with the pathogen, using dif- during the week for delegates to study and invasive potential of new pathogens. ferent sclerotial pathogens as examples, later to discuss the offered posters (over while Dr Yigal Elad (Volcani Centre, Food Security 1200 submissions). A number of cross-cut- Israel) described current successes against ting topics became evident as the conference The importance of protecting the world's Botrytis. progressed. food supply, especially in developing coun- Quarantine and Biosecurity tries where the population is still increasing The 9th ICPP will be held in Turin, Italy on and there is poor disease awareness was a 24-29 August 2008. Many of the lectures focussed on the theme running through the whole congress. importance of quarantine and biosecurity, Linking in with quarantine and biosecurity, ❑