Policy Frameworks for the Implementation of a Classical 11 Biological Control Strategy: the Chinese Experience

Jianqing Ding* School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China

Introduction successfully in the areas to which that has been introduced, owing to the ability of China is one of the mega-diverse countries the natural enemy to disperse to find its of the world, with over 30,000 species of host plant food resource. This is in sharp higher , 6347 species of vertebrates contrast to the use of manual, mechanical and 3862 species of fish (Chen, 1994; Xu and chemical control measures, which et al., 2000). In recent years, the conserva- ­typically require repeated treatment and tion of China’s biodiversity and protection provide control only at or near the site of of its environment have been critical domes- application. Although an entire research tic and international concerns (Liu and project from the screening of natural ene- ­Diamond, 2005), and in this context inva- mies to successful control may be relatively sive species have been recognized as posing expensive, a weed control programme based an increasing threat to China’s economy and on biological control can be inexpensive in ecosystems, largely due to escalating inter- the long term. For example, the Interna- national activities and commerce (Normile, tional Institute of Tropical Agriculture 2004). (IITA) has estimated that the biological con- Many approaches have been employed trol of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) to control invasive species and prevent fur- following the introduction, mass rearing ther pest introductions in the campaign and release of two Neotropical Neochetina against biological invasions in China and the weevils in Benin was likely to yield a wider world. Classical biological control benefit:cost ratio of 124:1 over the 20 years through the screening, introduction and following the releases (De Groote et al., release of host-specific natural enemies of 2003). Similarly, a benefit:cost ratio of 112:1 an invasive plant from its native region has has been demonstrated for the successful been regarded as one of the more promising biological control of skeleton weed (Chon- control approaches worldwide for more than drilla juncea) in Australia (Marsden et al., 100 years (Winston et al., 2014). Biological 1980). control may provide self-sustaining, broad- The exchange of natural enemies, that scale control of an invasive plant when one is, the international import or export of of its natural enemies, such as an potential insect/pathogen agents, is key to or fungal agent, establishes a population the implementation of a classical biological

* E-mail: [email protected]  CAB International 2017. Invasive Alien Plants (eds C.A. Ellison, K.V. Sankaran and S.T. Murphy) 191 192 Jianqing Ding control programme for an invasive plant. Invasive Plants in China: Current Therefore, cooperation is required between Status, Impacts and Constraints the recipient country – where the invasive to Providing Solutions plant is a problem, and the donor country – where the plant is native. An appropriate The first survey of invasive plants in China policy framework is essential to provide law- was reported by Ding and Wang (1999) in a ful guidance and regulation for the exchange Chinese government document on China’s of natural enemies between countries. biodiversity. This survey, which was largely Unfortunately, most developing countries based on published Chinese literature, lack such a policy framework, leading to reported 58 invasive plant species in the often insurmountable problems in the agriculture and forestry systems in the import and export of /pathogens. country. In recent years, great advances in This may have the following consequences: research on exotic plant species have been (i) the restriction of all international imports made as invasive species have become a of natural enemies because of the unfounded growing concern in China. Qiang and Chao fear that they may become pests themselves, (2000) reported that there were 108 inva- or vice versa (by allowing the import of any sive weeds, in 76 genera and 23 families. A exotic natural enemy); and (ii) forbidding general survey of the exotic plant species in all exports of natural enemies to other China conducted by the Institute of Botany ­countries, allegedly to protect the source and the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese country’s biological resources, or vice versa Academy of Sciences showed there were (by allowing any insect/pathogen to be about 300 exotic plants (Xie et al., 2000). exported). Hence, a country may either face The most important invasive plants in more novel threats from invasive species if China include water hyacinth, alligator weed there is no policy framework to regulate and (Alternanthera philoxeroides), Crofton weed manage the import and release of potential (Ageratina adenophora), common and giant biological control agents in place, or its ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia and A. tri- ­biological control programmes may be fida) and (); the ­jeopardized if all foreign introductions are latter species is also called mile-a-minute prohibited. weed, but as there are two plants found in In Asia, China is one of several develop- China that are commonly given the name of ing countries that have implemented active ‘mile-a-minute’ – the exotic invasive mikania classical biological control programmes and and the native perfoliata (which is achieved successes in their campaign against invasive elsewhere) – the name of mile-a- invasive species. Although classical biologi- minute is not used subsequently in this cal control is still in its early stages in China, chapter to avoid confusion. Other impor- and many aspects including the policy tant invasive plants in China are tall golden- framework need to be greatly improved, the rod (Solidago altissima) and the common and experience that has been gained may be of smooth cordgrasses (Spartina anglica and value to other Asian countries. Certainly, S. alterniflora) (see Box 11.1). China shares with them many similar social, Invasive plants have been a critical issue political and scientific issues, in particular in in China for more than 30 years because of the management of invasive species. The their negative impact on the environment purposes of this chapter are: (i) to review the and economy but, until recently, the Chinese current status and impact of, and the con- government and public were unaware of the straints to providing solutions for invasive challenges that they present. There are no plants in China; (ii) to report China’s experi- specific national acts or laws to define or ences in classical biological control; and (iii) regulate the introduction of invasive spe- to review and assess the current policy cies, with the result that many exotic species framework in terms of its role in the imple- are imported into China every year, some of mentation of a classical biological control which may prove to be potentially invasive. strategy. Research on developing the appropriate Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 193

Box 11.1. A roll call of invasive plants in China. Invasive plants pose a great threat to China’s ecosystems, cause economic losses in agriculture, fishery, forestry and other industries and, in some instances, have even become a problem for human health. The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has invaded 17 provinces in southern and central China, and has covered water surfaces in river courses, lakes and ponds. It alters ecosystem services and decreases soluble oxygen, leading to a decline in native aquatic biodiversity. It has aided the spread of human diseases, and has had economic impacts by impeding water flows, hindering navi- gation, and damaging irrigation and hydroelectricity facilities (Ding et al., 1995; Lu et al., 2007). Mikania (Mikania micrantha), a more recent invasive climbing plant from South America, com- petes aggressively with native plants in the Neilingding National Reserve in Guangdong Province, southern China, and this has resulted in large areas of forests being killed, land degradation and habi- tat loss for protected such as rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) (Zhang et al., 2004). At its peak, the plant covered some 40–60% of shrub and woodland in Neilingding (Feng et al., 2002). •• In south-western China, Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) has driven many native plant ­species, such as , to local extinction (Ding Jianqing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, unpublished data). •• Pollen from ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) causes hay fever in susceptible people in many invaded areas in China, as they are allergic to its pollen (Li et al., 2009). •• The biological and ecological characteristics of alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) have been well studied owing to its threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functions (Pan et al., 2007). Although the use of a biological control agent has successfully suppressed its growth and repro- duction in aquatic habitats in many provinces in southern China, it is still problematic in terrestrial habitats. The invasion of fields by alligator weed can cause 19–63% yield losses in five crops: rice, wheat, maize, sweet potato and lettuce (Tan, 1994). •• In the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian in south-eastern China, the common and smooth cord- grasses (Spartina anglica and S. alterniflora) have invaded and occupied large coastal areas, leading to a dramatic decrease in aquaculture yields, as many of the crabs, mussels and fish have died (Huang, 1990). Alteration of the habitat structure and food resources has also led to a dramatic decline in avian species richness (Gan et al., 2010). However, a 16 year chronose- quence study has indicated that smooth cordgrass is being inhibited by an accumulation of habi- tat changes created by the two Spartina species themselves (Tang et al., 2012). technology for early warning and prediction food for human consumption, by many systems to prevent future invasions is at an researchers in China (Ding et al., 1995), even early stage, particularly at the national level. though its negative impacts on the environ- Control approaches for most of the ment are well known. major invasive plants, e.g. Crofton weed and water hyacinth, involve manual removal and the application of chemical , but Classical Biological Control in China these methods are often implemented with little skill or knowledge because of poor lev- Classical biological control was initiated in els of training in the technologies and lack of the mid-1980s as a novel strategy and tech- funding support. In addition, conflicts of nology against invasive plants in China, interest may restrict the management of when the chrysomelid flea Agasicles invasive plants in many areas, as individuals hygrophila was introduced from the USA to and different sectors of society often have control alligator weed in southern China. differing opinions about whether an exotic This project, like almost all of China’s classi- plant is harmful or beneficial (Ding and cal biological control programmes, was led Wan, 1993). For example, water hyacinth by the Institute of Biological Control (now has been regarded as an ideal resource to the Institute of (Agro-)Environment and make fertilizer, paper, pig feed and even Sustainable Development, IEDA) of the 194 Jianqing Ding

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces in south-­ (CAAS), in collaboration with foreign part- eastern China in 1996–2000 (Fig 11.2). They ners and domestic collaborators. By 2011, a successfully established and overwintered at total of 14 species of insects and pathogens Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, and signifi- had been imported from foreign countries cantly suppressed water hyacinth at some or spread from a neighbouring country (in release sites (Ding et al., 2006). the case of Crofton weed) to control six inva- Biological control of mikania became sive plant species in China (see Table 11.1). the hot project in classical weed biological Biological control of the alligator weed control against an invasive plant in China in was implemented in the USA in the late 2003, when CABI’s centre in the UK devel- 1950s by the US Army Corps of Engineers oped a biological control project for China and the USDA-ARS (US Department of Agri- in collaboration with the Chinese Institute culture – Agricultural Research Service). The of Biological Control and the Guangdong US scientists successfully screened the ­Entomology Research Institute. In 2004, a South American beetle A. hygrophila and highly host-specific Neotropical rust fungus, released it in the western and southern ­ spegazzinii, was introduced from USA between 1964 and 1979 (Buckingham, CABI, and established in culture in quaran- 2002). Following successful control of alliga- tine in Beijing. Host-range tests were suc- tor weed in the USA, the same beetle was cessfully completed prior to field release in introduced into China in 1986, where it 2006 (Fu et al., 2006; Li et al., 2007). underwent host-range tests on some 50 Although the rust established in the field, native plant species before being released in there is no evidence that it has spread and southern China in 1988. By 2001, the beetle still persists (Ellison and Day, 2011). More was providing significant suppression of the recently, a different isolate of the rust, from weed in 14 provinces, particularly in aquatic Ecuador, was introduced into quarantine in habitats, and alligator weed has ceased to be China at the Invasion Ecology and Biocon- dominant in many water bodies in southern trol Laboratory, Wuhan Botanical Garden China in recent years (Ding et al., 2006). (CAAS), via Papua New Guinea. This isolate Following this success, to control the is proving to be an effective agent in Taiwan common and giant ragweeds, another chrys- and Fiji, as well as in Papua New Guinea. omelid leaf beetle, Zygogramma suturalis, Preliminary results from Wuhan look prom- was introduced from North America via ising, though further evaluation is still what was then the Soviet Union in the late needed (See Chapter 10, this volume). 1980s, and a tortricid moth, Epiblema stren- uana, was introduced from Mexico via Aus- tralia in the 1990s (Wan et al., 1995). Immediately after their introduction into Providing natural enemies to China and before they were released in the other countries field, host-range tests were conducted to ensure their host specificity. Both were sub- While China introduces biological control sequently released. The leaf beetle failed to agents from other countries, it also helps establish a population because of the pres- other countries by exporting natural ene- ence of native predators, but the moth has mies to them to control invasive plants that successfully established and its impact on are native to China. By 2014, a total of 34 the ragweeds is under evaluation. species of insects and pathogens had been Biological control of the water hyacinth exported from China to foreign countries to in China began in 1995 with the introduc- control 15 invasive plant species (Table tion of two Neochetina weevils sourced from 11.2). cultures in Florida, USA, that were originally Hydrilla verticillata is a submersed from Argentina. After host-range tests on aquatic plant with a broad native region that 46 native plant species had confirmed their includes China that has invaded the USA, specificity, the weevils were released in where it first arrived in Florida. To control it, Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 195 continued al ., 1995 al ., 1995 al ., 1995 al ., 1995 al ., 1995 al ., 1995

al ., 2003a al., 2003a al ., 2003b

Reference Ma et Ma et Ma et et Wan et Wan et Wan et Wan et Wan et Wan antine but antine but lished population vinces of Fujian, Hunan, Hubei and no estab southern China; established populations established southern China; not in terrestrial habitats but found suppressing the weed pro impact of control under evaluation Jiangxi; population no established population no established population no established nature Not released, introduced into quarantine but but Not released, introduced into quarantine Not released, introduced into quar Status Unknown Unknown Successful control in aquatic habitats populations in the Released, established but Not released, introduced into quarantine but Not released, introduced into quarantine populations in Released, did not establish uted) of pathogen from Nepal adult flies of carried by probably Procecidochares utilis ) Nepal to China, then intentionally redistrib Union then) Soviet Canada Canada Probably Mexico (natural spread (natural Mexico Probably (spread from Mexico Probably USA Australia Canada Canada Canada and the USA via (the - alis acta p. ) (Fig. 11.1b) ii ) (Fig. 11.1c) 11.1e)

Phaeoramularia eupatoriiPhaeoramularia , Cercospora odorati eupator (Fig. (Fig. Euaresta bella Euaresta festiva s candef Tarachidia sutur Zygogramma (syn. (syn. ageratinae Passalora Agasicles hygrophila strenuana Epiblema Procecidochares utilis and eroides Agents introduced for biological control of weeds in China (see also Fig. 11.1). in China (see also Fig. biological control of weeds Agents introduced for

(Amaranthaceae) Eupatorium adenophorum ) () 11.1a) (Fig. trifida A. (Asteraceae) 11.1d) (Fig. Table 11.1. Table (Family) weed Target (syn. adenophora Ageratina Biological control agent Source country/ies Alternanthera philox Ambrosia artemisiifolia 196 Jianqing Ding al ., 2001b al ., 2001a,b al ., 2001a,b,

al ., 2004, Liu al ., 2007

2006 2006 2011 data et Reference Ding et Ding et Ding et Li et Ellison and Day, vinces; established at established vinces; at established vinces; ailed to establish provinces; did not establish provinces; and Zhejiang pro to Zhejiang, contributing Wenzhou, significant control at some sites and Zhejiang pro to Zhejiang, contributing Wenzhou, significant control at some sites release needed for augmentative establishment but f but Status Released in Guangxi and Zhejiang populations in Fujian Released, established populations in Fujian Released, established release in nature for approval for Waiting Ding, unpublished J. Released in Guangdong Province in 2006, Released in Guangdong Province UK Brazil via South AfricaBrazil Argentina via the USA Argentina via the USA via IndonesiaCosta Rica/Brazil Released in Guangdong Province, Guinea/ New Ecuador via Papua Argentina via the UK Biological control agentEccritotarsus catarinensis Source country/ies Neochetina bruchi Neochetina eichhorniae spp. Puccinia spegazzinii

continued

(Pontederiaceae) (Asteraceae) Eichhornia crassipes Mikania micrantha Table 11.1. Table (Family) weed Target Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 197

a d

b

c e

Fig. 11.1. Biological control of invasive weeds in China. (a) an infestation by young plants of Ageratina adenophora, with a negative impact on biodiversity; (b) a leaf of A. adenophora infected with the leaf spot pathogen Passalora ageratinae, also showing a young gall of Procecidochares utilis on the stem (arrows); (c) a mature gall of P. utilis gall on a stem of A. adenophora; (d) an infestation by Ambrosia arte­ misiifolia of a recently ploughed agricultural field; (e) damage by the ragweed borerEpiblema strenuana on leaves of A. artemisiifolia (arrows show beetle pupae). Photos courtesy C.A. Ellison. 198 Jianqing Ding

Fig. 11.2. Dr Jianqing Ding releasing the water hyacinth weevil Neochetina eichhorniae for the biologi- cal control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, southern China. Photo courtesy Zhongnan Fan. the first releases of the leaf-mining fly cedar in its native range. A strain of the bee- Hydrellia pakistanae were made in Florida in tle imported from Xinjiang in north-western 1987 from material collected in and China, together with a second strain from Pakistan. Later, a strain of the fly from China Chilik in Kazakhstan, were approved for was also released in the USA by the USDA, in introduction and release following success- cooperation with Chinese partners. In 1989, ful host-range testing and risk assessments the congener Hydrellia sarahae sarahae was (DeLoach et al., 2003). The weevils were sent to Florida from China, but no releases released in 2001. Spread in areas north of were made because host-specificity testing 38° latitude was rapid and the impact often indicated that it would have had a poten- dramatic. The are now widespread in tially broad host range in the USA (Balciunas Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, et al., 2002; Ding et al., 2006). where they cause extensive defoliation of The salt cedars Tamarix ramosissima and T. ramosissima, leading to dieback and even T. chinensis, are deciduous shrubs or small death after some years (DeLoach et al., 2004; trees that are native in the Old World Ding et al., 2006; Dudley and Bean, 2012). (­Gaskin and Schaal, 2002) but invasive in Persicaria perfoliata is an annual or the western USA, where they cause damage perennial herb native to Asia that has to riparian areas by displacing the native invaded the north-eastern USA. Already communities, degrading wildlife habitats present in an area stretching from North and reducing water flow and groundwater Carolina to Massachusetts and westwards to levels (DeLoach et al., 2000). A chrysomelid Ohio, it is continuing to spread. More than leaf beetle, Diorhabda carinulata (previously 100 species were recorded from identified as D. elongata deserticola) was the plant during field surveys in China that found to inflict substantial damage to salt were initiated in 1996, but only one, the Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 199 continued kson, 2006 al ., 2002

J.K. Balciunas, personal Balciunas, J.K. ., 2002; J. al ., 2002; al ., 2002 Shearer and Jac al ., 2002;

al ., 2013 al ., 2013 Balciunas et al ., 1997;

al ., 2008

al ., 2006 al ., 2006 al ., 2014

al ., 2003a

communication orld. References Ding et Ding et data Ding, unpublished J. data Ding, unpublished J. data Ding, unpublished J. et Wan data Ding, unpublished J. Center et Center et 1989 Wang, and Pemberton data Ding, unpublished J. Ma et et Wang Center et Balciunas et Balciunas et Balciunas et antine in the USA, under ange; not released ange; aluation ted into quarantine in the USA, under ted into quarantine evaluation evaluation (imported into quarantine) testing other parts of south-eastern USA broad host r additional field information needed additional field information Imported in the USA, under into quarantine Impor Released and established Imported into quar Unknown Unknown Needs further evaluation in Florida and Released and established Host-specificity testing indicated potentially Under ev Unable to rear adults from quarantine; to rear adults from quarantine; Unable rance via F Recipient countryUSA Status USA CanadaCanadaCanada Unknown USA via UK Unknown in China and UK Under evaluation Unknown CanadaUSA USA Unknown USA, possibly CanadaCanada, USA Unknown Canada Rejected due to larval poor developmentUSA USA Gassmann, CABI, personal communication A. Rejected due to broad host rangeUSA Gassmann, CABI, personal communication A. USA USA USA ucida bifasciata chinensis Eucryptorrhynchus sp.Cleonus Lixus sp. Pustula spinulosa Thamnargus spp. Lilioceris egena Chamaesphecia sp. Hyles euphorbiae Oberea doncelii Puccinia spp. sarahae Hydrellia sarahae Mycoleptodiscus terrestris Potential biological control Potential agents Altica carduorum Macroplea sp. Natural enemies exported Natural from China as potential biological control agents in other parts of the w ticillata Hydrellia pakistanae

Ailanthus altissima Eucryptorrhynchus brandti Cirsium arvense Dioscorea bulbifera Lilioceris cheni Euphorbia esula Aphthona chinchihi Table 11.2. Table weed Target Fallopia japonicaFallopia Hydrilla ver Galler 200 Jianqing Ding ., 2006; Dudley and Dudley al ., 2006;

., 2011; Hough- al ., 2011;

., 2012; Smith and Goldstein, 2014 al ., 2012;

al ., 2013

., 2000; Ding et al ., 2000;

al ., 2011 al ., 2008

al ., 2012

al ., 2003 ., 2004; Lake et Lake al ., 2004; al ., 2006 al ., 2006

al ., 2007 al ., 2007

al ., 2013, 2014 al ., 2013, 2014 al ., 2003a al ., 2003a

e et Bean, 2012 Goldstein et References Zhang et Ma et Ma et Ding et Ding et Fry Frye et Wu et Wu et Deloach et Ding et Huang et et Wang antine, under antine, valuation wn impact/control significant impact/control north of latitude 38 ° N evaluation evaluation evaluation Status Needs further evaluation. Unknown Released in 10 states from 2004, promising Rejected due to broad host rangeUnder evaluation release for Rejected as not safe Price et release for Rejected as not safe Released in western USA in 2001, Imported in the USA, under into quarantine Imported in the USA, under into quarantine Imported into USA quar Unkno Rejected as a threat to other species Steininger et Recipient country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA, HawaiiUSA Under e USA USA USA, Hawaii Under evaluation USA USA USA

agonana iseata sp. tredecimmaculata Mesalcidodes trifidus ) elongata deserticola ) D. bicallosicollis Eubrychius gr Timandra Arges sp. Gonioctena Ornatalcides trifidus (syn. Epinotia ustulana Gadirtha inexacta Potential biological control Potential agents latipes Rhinoncomimus Diorhabda carinulata (syn. Bikasha collaris sp.Phytobius Heterapoderopsis a continued

Polygonum Polygonum lobata r. spicatum va and T. ) perfoliatum ramosissima (syn. Sapium ) sebiferum (syn. apa natans Galerucella birmanica Ligustrum sinense Argopistes tsekooni Myriophyllum Pueraria montana ellipticusRubus tetr Epiblema chinensis Tamarix Tr sebifer Triadica Table 11.2. Table weed Target Persicaria perfoliata perfoliata Persicaria Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 201 curculionid weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on proved sufficiently host specific to meet US the Entry and Exit and Plant Quar- regulatory requirements. A population in antine, 1991, although currently there is no Hunan Province proved most damaging of specific national law for classical biological the three populations tested, and weevils of control. The purpose of the legislation and this strain were mass reared and released in implementation of this quarantine law is to Delaware and New Jersey in 2004; Fig. 11.3 protect domestic animals and plants in shows the larval stage. They have since been China from direct introduction to diseases, released in ten states, and impact assess- pest insects and weeds, and also harmful ments indicate that the beetles are having a organisms carried by introduced animals measurable and at times rapid impact on and plants. The quarantine law also prevents P. perfoliata (Ding et al., 2004, 2006; Hough- the export of diseased animals or plants and Goldstein et al., 2012). disease- or pest-carrying animals and plants In addition to the control of the above from China. species, China has helped Canada and USA The official enforcing agency charged with the biological control of leafy spurge with implementing the quarantine law is the (Euphorbia esula) and Canada thistle (Cir- National Bureau of Inspection and Quaran- sium arvense) through insect surveys con- tine of Imported and Exported Animals and ducted in north-western China. Most of the Plants. This Bureau operates from its head- natural enemies found for these two plants quarters in Beijing and has branches in all were shipped to the CABI centre at ­Delémont provinces and at some key airport and sea- in Switzerland during 1991–1995. port cities. All applications for import (or export) of living insects and pathogens from (or to) foreign countries must be submitted Policy Frameworks: Challenges to either the headquarters or its affiliated and Perspectives branches. A permit for the import of natural enemies may be issued once the insect or Appropriate policy frameworks are the law- pathogen is evaluated by the Bureau’s offi- based cornerstones for conducting and cials and judged to be a no-risk or low-risk implementing classical biological control. In organism. China, the import and export of natural In the case of introductions for biologi- enemies have been processed according to cal control, once the application for import is approved, the applicants are first required to maintain and rear the natural enemies in an isolated quarantine facility for a specific time (usually 60–90 days) to ensure that no unapproved (and potential or actual pest) organism has been inadvertently intro- duced. Even if the host range of the natural enemy has been tested, and has been reported as host specific to the target weed in previous experiments in other countries, complementary host-range testing with some of China’s native plants is also required before field release is permitted. All the seven previously released insect species and one intentionally released pathogen (see Fig. 11.3. Larva of the weevil Rhinoncomimus Table 11.1) imported from foreign countries latipes, which has been introduced from China to for weed control in China were retested in the USA for the biological control of the invasive this way before field release in China (Wang plant Persicaria perfoliata. Photo courtesy the and Wang, 1988; Wan et al., 1995; Ding author. et al., 2002; Fu et al., 2006). 202 Jianqing Ding

Classical biological control has been ­increasing concern and many other control conducted and implemented in China since approaches fail to provide viable solutions. A the mid-1980s (Wang, 1989). Many Chinese national biological control Act or Regulation national and provincial governmental agen- is necessary to provide a legal framework cies, such as the Ministry of Science and within which biological control workers can Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and perform research and conduct the necessary the Ministry of Forestry, as well as China’s international exchange of natural enemies. Natural Scientific Foundation, have sup- The functioning of this law would not only ported classical biological control financially benefit the biological control of invasive since the 1980s. The achievements of several plants, but should also help to prevent the biological control projects, such as the suc- introduction of potentially invasive species cessful control of alligator weed, were well in the future through the strict regulation recognized by the government by the grant- of imports. The law should also include ing of awards to the personnel who imple- an appropriate framework for assessing mented the research and extension of the whether permission should be given for a project. putative beneficial insect to be released in However, the policy frameworks to nature after host-range tests; at present, facilitate the implementation of a compre- there is no official documentation to guide hensive biological control programme this process. remain ambiguous and even deficient. Gaps in national, regional and various industry systems exist and more may arise in the near Acknowledgements future, given the recent increasing effort against invasive species. There is often a lack I thank Carol Ellison and Sean Murphy for of communication between biological con- their kind invitation to write this chapter. trol scientists and quarantine officials on the I am also grateful for Carol Ellison and import and export of insects or pathogens, Rebecca Murphy for their comments that as there are no specific laws and regulations improved earlier versions of this chapter. to follow. The biological control workers may believe that the insects or pathogens they want to introduce will contribute to the sup- pression of an invasive plant, but the offi- References cials from the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau may be more concerned with the Balciunas, J.K., Grodowitz, M.J., Cofrancesco, A.F. potential risk that these agents pose to and Shearer, J.F. (2002) Hydrilla. In: van Dri- ­China’s ecosystems than their impact on the esche, R., Blossey, B., Hoddle, M., Lyon, S. and Reardon, R. (eds) Biological Control of Invasive invasive plant, and this could ultimately Plants in the Eastern United States. USDA For- hamper the introduction. Equally, a local est Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise branch office may issue an import permit for Team, Morgantown, West Virginia, pp. 91–114. an insect or pathogen to control a plant that Buckingham, G.R. (2002) Alligatorweed. In: van is a weed in the region, although the puta- Driesche, R., Blossey, B., Hoddle, M., Lyon, tive agent could spread to neighbouring S. and Reardon, R. (eds) Biological Control of provinces where it may attack other plants. Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. There is currently no inter-province or USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology national-scale communications network to Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia, deal with the import and export of biological pp. 5–15. Center, T.D., Grodowitz, M.J., Cofrancesco, A.F., control agents. Jubinsky, G., Snoddy, E. and Freedman, J.E. China is facing a great challenge and has (1997) Establishment of Hydrellia pakistanae a need to pass a specific law to facilitate suc- (Diptera: Ephydridae) for the biological control cessful biological control programmes. This of the submersed aquatic plant Hydrilla verti­ need is becoming more pressing as the cillata (Hydrocharitaceae) in the southeastern impacts of invasive plants become of United States. Biological Control 8, 65–73. Policy Frameworks for a Classical Biological Control Strategy in China 203

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