DOCSLIB.ORG

Technical Highlights: Invasive Plant and Animal Research 2006-07

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Technical Highlights: Invasive Plant and Animal Research 2006-07 Queensland the Smart State Part 1 Introduction Technical highlights Technical highlights Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 PR07–3283 Research conducted by: Invasive Plant and Animal Science Biosecurity Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries at: Alan Fletcher Research Station Sherwood, Brisbane, Queensland Robert Wicks Pest Animal Research Centre Toowoomba and Inglewood, Queensland Tropical Weeds Research Centre Charters Towers and South Johnstone, Queensland Important note This report contains incomplete information and does not constitute and official medium for the publication of results. Information herein should not be quoted without permission of the authors concerned. Herbicide trial results reported here are provided for information only and do not constitute a formal recommendation. Before using or advising on the use of herbicides, please read the product label for rates and methods of application or contact the Animal and Plant Health Service, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland for current approved usage (www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23 for more details). Cover photographs (clockwise from top) Jim Thompson amongst a cat’s claw creeper infestation at Gympie Wild dog with satellite tracking collar Pond apple seedlings on a beach Leaf tying pyralid moth Hypocosmia pyrochroma—biocontrol agent for cat’s claw creeper For copies of this report contact: Alan Fletcher Research Station 27 Magazine Street, Sherwood PO Box 36, Sherwood, Qld, 4075 Ph: +61 7 3375 0700 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dpi.qld.gov.au The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) seeks to maximise the economic potential of Queensland’s primary industries on a sustainable basis. While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this report. © The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 2008 Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland. Address inquiries to: Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Unit Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 or [email protected] Tel: +61 7 3404 6999 ii Message from the Director-General Technical Highlights is an important annual publication that provides an update on current research undertaken by the State Government on priority weeds and pest animals in Queensland. Since the last edition, the research team has moved from the Department of Natural Resources and Water to Biosecurity Queensland, a business group within the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. The group is now known as Invasive Plant and Animal Science and fits within the broader Biosecurity Science management group. Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for coordinating the Queensland Governments’ efforts to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from pests and diseases that threaten the economy and environment. As such, research undertaken on priority weeds and pest animals fits clearly within the charter of Biosecurity Queensland. It is essential that we understand how best to prevent the introduction of new pests into the state, how to eradicate recently introduced pests and how to manage pests that are established over large areas. The research group continues to make notable advances in their field. For example, in the area of incursion management we now have models to determine progress towards eradication of targeted species. Our knowledge on the ecology and biology of several priority weeds and pest animals continues to improve and this contributes directly to management efforts. This research group is also well known for its research on the biocontrol of weeds and I am pleased to see this work expand through additional funding from industry and the Blueprint for the Bush Pest Offensive. In particular, new agents on cat’s claw creeper and lantana were recently approved for release and new research programs have commenced for bellyache bush and prickly acacia. This research benefits through collaboration with other research providers and funding bodies. All levels of government (federal, state and local) contribute to many of the projects. I would particularly like to extend the department’s thanks to the many landholders, local government staff, and community and regional body representatives who provide vital assistance when required. Without their help much of this research would not be possible. The Invasive Plant and Animal Science group has a history of delivering applied and practical research for Queensland and I look forward to their continued achievements as part of Biosecurity Queensland. I hope that all science staff are now settled into their new environment and I commend them for the professional way that they continue to improve the management of invasive pests in Queensland. Jim Varghese Director-General Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 iii Contents Message from the Director-General, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland. iii Part 1 Introduction Principal Scientist’s report . 1 Summary of achievements . 3 External funding 2006–07 . 5 Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration Weed eradication feasibility and program evaluation. 6 Ecology of wet tropics weeds . 8 Environmental weed ecology . 11 Ecology of bird dispersed weeds . 13 Mimosa (Mimosa pigra) research . 15 Water weed management, WONS and class 1 plant pests . 16 Biological control of lantana (Lantana camara) . 18 Biological control of cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) . 19 Biological control of Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) . 22 Biological control of chromolaena (Chromolaena odorata) in Papua New Guinea . 23 Biological control of two weeds in East Timor . 25 Biological control of mikania vine (Mikania micrantha) in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. 26 Part 3 Integrated weed management Integrated management of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) in northern Queensland. 28 Integrated management of parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) . 29 Understanding grader grass (Themeda quadrivalvis) ecology for improved management. 31 Parthenium chemical trial . 33 Aerial control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 34 Evaluating the risk of off-target damage through the application of chemicals to control . 35 hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) Biological control of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). 36 Biological control of prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica ssp. indica) . 38 Biological control of weedy sporobolus grasses . 40 Biological control of mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum spp.) . 42 Biological control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 43 Bioevaluation of rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora)—impacts of biological control agents on . 45 rubber vine and associated ecosystems Bioevaluation of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) . 47 iv Part 4 Pest animal management Best practice baiting—dispersal and seasonal movement of wild dogs (Canis familaris) . 48 Monitoring impact of 1080 canid baiting on spotted-tail quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) . 50 Feral pig (Sus scrofa) impacts on freshwater ecosystems. 52 Diet and trapping strategies of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in tropical rainforests . 53 Development of cyanide bait for rapid disease sampling and surveillance . 54 of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) Effective 1080 meat baiting for feral pigs (Sus scrofa) . 56 Target specificity of feral pig (Sus scrofa) meat baits . 58 Adaptive management of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) . 58 Effective and safe rodent management . 61 Part 5 Research services Refinement of a 1080 bait degradation model . 63 Preparation of cyanide ejector registration package . 65 Pest management chemistry . 67 Appendixes 1. Acronyms . 69 2. Symbols and units of measurement . 69 3. Pesticide trade names, active ingredients, concentrations and manufacturers . 70 4. Staff listings . 70 5. Publications . 74 6. Presentations . 78 List of species 85 Technical highlights: Invasive plant and animal research 2006–07 v vi Part 1 Introduction Principal Scientist’s report Machinery-of-government changes The Pest Management Research Group, now called Invasive Plant and Animal Science, has gone through significant changes in the last year. All land protection functions (including research) previously undertaken within the Department of Natural Resources and Water are now part of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. We are located within the Biosecurity Queensland business group and have joined with other science groups in a unit called Biosecurity Science. Our research supports the Invasive Plants and Animals Program. Our core functions continue through four key programs: Pest animal management, Integrated weed management, Landscape protection and restoration, and Research services. Over the coming year we will develop a Biosecurity Queensland strategic plan and a science strategy, incorporating our research activities and providing direction for the future. Our achievements
Load more

Recommended publications
  • General News
    Biocontrol News and Information 27(4), 63N–79N pestscience.com General News David Greathead hoods. Both broom and tagasaste pods can be a seasonally important food source for kererū (an As this issue went to press we received the sad news endemic pigeon, Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), par- of the untimely death of Dr David Greathead at the ticularly in regions where its native food plants have age of 74. declined. A previous petition for the release of G. oli- vacea into New Zealand was rejected by the New Besides being a dedicated and popular Director of Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in CABI’s International Institute of Biological Control 1998 on the grounds that there was insufficient (IIBC), David was the driving force behind the estab- information to assess the relative beneficial and lishment and development of Biocontrol News and harmful effects of the proposed introduction. Information. He was an active member of its Edito- rial Board, providing advice and ideas right up to his As part of the submission to ERMA, Landcare death. Research quantified the expected costs and benefits associated with the introduction of additional biolog- We plan that the next issue will carry a full obituary. ical control agents for broom1. Due to uncertainties Please contact us if you would be willing to con- regarding the costs, a risk-averse approach was tribute information: commentary, personal adopted by assuming a worse-case scenario where memories or anecdotes on the contribution that tagasaste was planted to its maximum potential David made. extent in New Zealand (10,000 ha), levels of non- target damage to tagasaste were similar to those on Contact: Matthew Cock & Rebecca Murphy C.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Control of Cat's Claw Creeper, Macfadyena Unguis-Cati (L.)
    Biological control of cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H.Gentry (Bignoniaceae), in South Africa A.M. King*, H.E. Williams & L.G. Madire Agricultural Research Council-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Queenswood, 0121 South Africa The exotic vine Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H.Gentry (Bignoniaceae), cat’s claw creeper,has become a significant threat to the biodiversity of a variety of sensitive ecosystems in South Africa. Owing to the nature of the infestations, as well as the difficulties and prohibitive costs associated with both mechanical and chemical controls, biological control is considered to be the most practical and sustainable means of successfully managing the weed in South Africa. The biological control programme against M. unguis-cati was initiated in 1996 and resulted in the release of Charidotis auroguttata Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). Despite repeated releases, initial rates of establishment were low. Where successfully estab- lished, populations of the beetle have been slow to build-up, leading to only limited impact on the weed. Prompted by this lack of success, as well as the high potential for further spread of the weed, additional natural enemies were sought. Two lace bugs, Carvalhotingis visenda Drake & Hambleton, and Carvalhotingis hollandi Drake (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a leaf-mining beetle Hylaeogena (Hedwigiella) jureceki Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a leaf-tying moth Hypocosmia pyrochroma Jones (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and a seed-feeding weevil Apteromechus notatus (Hustache) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were subsequently imported into quarantine in South Africa for host-specificity testing. With the exception of A. notatus, all have been approved for release and are exhibiting promising initial rates of establishment and damage at a number of field localities.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Highlights Invasive Plant and Animal Research 2012-13
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Queensland DAF eResearch Archive Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Technical highlights Invasive plant and animal research 2016–17 CS7428 10/17 Cover photo: Prickly acacia host-specificity trials in quarantine facilities, Ecosciences Precinct © State of Queensland, 2017. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. Note: Some content in this publication may have different licence terms as indicated. For more information on this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. Technical highlights Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................... iii Invasive plant research .....................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Highlights: Research Projects 2010-11 Part 2
    Part 2 Landscape protection and restoration 13. Biological control of cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) Project dates Field-release and monitoring Field-release and monitoring September 2002 – June 2014 We mass-rear and field-release two No further field-releases of the leaf- biological control agents, the leaf- sucking tingid (C. visenda) were made Project leader sucking tingid (Carvalhotingis visenda) after June 2010. Field-release of the Dr K. Dhileepan and leaf-tying moth (Hypocosmia leaf-tying moth (H. pyrochroma) was Ecosciences Precinct pyrochroma), in partnership with continued until October 2010. Over three Tel: (07) 3255 4449 community groups. We use a simple years, 1272 adult moths, 77 750 mature Email: [email protected] and cost-effective method to mass-rear larvae and 837 pupae have been released the leaf-tying moth by replacing potted across 36 sites in Queensland and New Other staff in 2010–11 plants with field-collected cut foliage South Wales. Field establishment status to allow greater numbers of insects of the moth was not monitored due to Di Taylor and Mariano Treviño to be released in the field. After field- relocation to the Ecosciences Precinct. Objective release we conduct recovery surveys to determine the field establishment status Funding in 2010–11 Achieve biological control of cat’s claw of C. visenda and H. pyrochroma. At • Land Protection Fund ($148 000) creeper using introduced insect species. all release sites, we spend 20 minutes visually examining cat’s claw creeper • Queensland Government (Blueprint Rationale plants and recording the incidence and for the Bush) Cat’s claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis- abundance of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Control of Invasive Chromolaena Odorata an Evaluation in Some Land Use Types in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
    Control of Invasive Chromolaena odorata An evaluation in some land use types in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Phoebe Luwum February 2002 Control of Invasive Chromolaena odorata An evaluation in some land use types in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa Thesis submitted to the International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geo- information and Earth Observation, Environmental Systems Analysis and Management. Degree Assessment Board: Chairman Dr. J. de Leeuw NRS Department, ITC External examiner Dr. D. M. Pegtel Laboratory for Plant Ecology Universiteit Groningen Internal examiner Dr. Y. Hussin NRS ITC Primary supervisor Dr. I. van Duren NRS ITC Secondary supervisor Dr. H. van Gils NRS ITC INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION ENSCHEDE, THE NETHERLANDS This document describes work undertaken as part of a programme of study at the International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation. All views and opinions expressed therein remain the sole responsibility of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of the institute. For mama TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................... i List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables.............................................................................................................................................iv
    [Show full text]
  • The Dates of Letters to and from Darwin's Correspondents Are Listed
    Cambridge University Press 978-1-108-47540-2 — The Correspondence of Charles Darwin Charles Darwin , Edited by Frederick Burkhardt , James A. Secord , The Editors of the Darwin Correspondence Project Index More Information INDEX The dates of letters to and from Darwin’s correspondents are listed in the biographical register and index to correspondents and are not repeated here. Darwin’s works are indexed under the short titles used throughout this volume and listed in the bibliography. The abbreviation FD refers to Francis Darwin (CD is Charles Darwin). Abbott, Edwin Abbott 462 339–40 & 340 n2, n3, 355 n2, 524 & 525 n2, Abies nordmanniana (Caucasian fir) 294 & 295 n8 n3; G. de Saporta, corresponding member of abundant flowering wood sorrel see Oxalis flori- botanical section 340 n3, 525 n3; E. Vignes, La bunda France article 367 & n1 Acacia: Australian acacias 61 & n3; FD’s observa- achenes: Compositae 226 & n3; Pumilo argyrolepis tions 284 & 285 n5; genus now split into five 226 & n2, n3 related genera 285 n5; leaves 271 n2 acids: application of to plants 279 & 280 n3 Acacia buxifolia 31 Acland, Lawford Maclean 1 & n2 Acacia cultriformis (knife-leaf wattle) 208 & n3 Acraea thalia (Actinote thalia) 69 & 70 n4 Acacia iteaphylla 31 & 35 n14 Actonian prize 71 & n2 Acacia lophantha see Albizia lophantha Adams, Andrew Leith: deer 369–70 & 370 nn 1–5; Acacia retinoides (swamp wattle) 289 & n6 thanks CD for comments on career 369 & 370 Acaciella 285 n5 n2 Academia Nacional de Ciencias (Argentina; Adenanthera pavonina (red beadtree) 284 & 285 n4, National Academy of Sciences): elected CD 309 & 310 n9, 321 & 322 n13 honorary member 539–40 Adenosacme 189 & 193 n1 Académie des sciences (Academy of Sciences of Adenosacme acuminata (Lawia acuminata) 189 & 193 the Institute of France): G.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishment of Two Biocontrol Agents on Chromolaena Odorata in South Africa
    81 Establishment of two biocontrol agents on Chromolaena odorata in South Africa Lorraine W. Strathiel*, Costas Zachariadesl, Mil ly Gareebl and Debbie Sharpe 'ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X6006, Hilton 3245, South Africa 2Working for Water Program, Department of Water Affairs & Forestry, Private Bag X24, Howick 3290, South Africa, E-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Two insect species have been established on Chromolaena odorata along the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), South Africa, and are spreading and increasing in density. Pareuchaetes insulata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) has a similar biology to the widely used congener P. pseudoinsulata. A culture of P. insulata collected from Florida, USA, was mass-reared and released at 17 sites from 2001 to 2003. The site, near the coastal town of Umkomaas, at which the greatest number of larvae was released is the only site at which they established. In late 2004, after the insect had virtually disappeared from the site during the 20 months after releases had ended, an outbreak was found 0.5 km from the point of release. Over the ensuing months, P. insulata re-appeared throughout the area within 1 km of this point. With good, prolonged summer rains in 2006, the population increased dramatically and plants within a 4 km radius of the release point, particularly in shady areas, were extensively defoliated and became yellow in color. Plant height was markedly decreased and in some places the plants were being out- competed by other species. Indicators of the presence of P. insulata were recorded over 20 km away in either direction along the coast and 10km inland.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jewel Beetle (Hylaeogena Jureceki): a New Biological Control for Cat’S Claw Creeper (Dolichandra Unguis-Cati) in Queensland
    Nineteenth Australasian Weeds Conference The jewel beetle (Hylaeogena jureceki): a new biological control for cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) in Queensland Elizabeth L. Snow and Kunjithapatham Dhileepan Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ecosciences Precinct, GPO Box 267, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia ([email protected]) Summary Cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis- tool for ongoing management of cat’s claw creeper. cati (L.) L.G.Lohman) (Bignoniaceae) is a serious In 2009 the jewel beetle Hylaeogena jureceki Oben- environmental weed in Queensland and New South berger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) was imported into Wales. It presents a threat to riparian and rainforest the quarantine facility at the Alan Fletcher Research ecosystems and is often found in inaccessible locations Station Sherwood, Queensland from the Agricultural that are not suitable for chemical or physical control Research Council-Plant Protection Research Institute methods. This makes biological control an important Pretoria, South Africa. This insect is native to tropi- tool for managing this weed. The jewel beetle Hylaeo- cal South America (Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil). gena jureceki Obenberger was approved for release in It has a short generation time, long-lived adults and Australia in May 2012. Since approval, approximately a high reproductive rate, which potentially make it a 35,000 insects have been released at 53 sites. Multiple good biocontrol agent (Williams 2003). Choice and and single releases have been made at sites with the no-choice trials in quarantine using 38 plant species number of insects released ranging from 20 to 1590. from 11 families demonstrated that the jewel beetle Post-release monitoring before and after winter found was highly host specific (Dhileepan et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Screening Foreign Plant Pathogens for Biological Control of Polygonum Perfoliatum, Mile-A-Minute (MAM)
    248 Session 3 abstracts Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds 4-14 July 1999, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA Neal R. Spencer [ed.]. (2000) Tropical Soda Apple (TSA), Solanum viarum, is an invasive shrub native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its abundant fruits and seeds are disseminated by cattle, wildlife, and movement of contaminated seed, hay, and sod, which has facilitated its spread to Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. TSA was introduced into the U.S.A. in Florida in the 1980’s. Its rapid dissemination has led to infestation of more than 0.50 million ha (1.25 million acres) of agricultural and natural areas in Florida and eight other states (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Investigations of arthropods associated with TSA have been conducted in the southeastern U.S.A. to identify potential biological control agents and any niches they might occupy. More than 75 spp. of arthropods were collected from TSA. Many species were incidental, but approximately 2/3 were phytophagous. Some of these herbivores included polyphagous pests such as Heliothis virescens, Pseudoplusia includens, and Nezara viridula. Several oligophagous foliovores that fed on TSA are also pest species, such as Manduca sexta, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Keiferia lycopersicella. Other native oligophages specializing on Solanaceae also fed on TSA, such as a mirid called the suckfly, Tupiocoris notatus, and a pyralid, Lineodes integra. Tupiocoris notatus caused severe leaf chlorosis on TSA and was found throughout the growing season, with popula- tions reaching maximum densities in Autumn (up to 500/plant).
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on Mexican Actinote (Nymphalidae: Acraeinae) and Their Relatives, with Description of a New Subspecies
    Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 32(4), 1978, 261-272 NOTES ON MEXICAN ACTINOTE (NYMPHALIDAE: ACRAEINAE) AND THEIR RELATIVES, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES JACQUELINE Y. MILLER AND LEE D. MILLER Allyn Museum of Entomology, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Florida 33580 ABSTRACT. The application of names described for South American species to their Central American, and especially Mexican, counterparts has led to great con­ fusion in the literature. Actinote stratonice oaxaca is described from Oaxaca, Mexico; this insect had been reported previously as the nominate subspecies. Three species of the Actinote thalia group, A. calderoni, lapitha and thalia are illustrated, redescribed and discussed. A key for the separation of the three species is provided. The first two species are recorded from Mexico-calderoni had been previously misidentified as lapitha from there. One name, A. lapitha zilchi Franz and Schroder, is synony­ mized to calderoni. Collecting in Mexico over the past forty years has yielded many butterfly species that were previously unknown from there, not a few of which were totally unexpected. These unexpected taxa have created many problems, usually for one of two reasons: 1) the butterfly was an already described Central or South American species and was de­ scribed as new from Mexico because of a lack of comparative material or an ignorance of the pertinent literature; or 2) many species (espe­ cially those figured and described in Seitz) incorrectly have been as­ cribed to the Mexican fauna, again because of a lack of adequate comparative material. Both situations are well demonstrated in the Nymphalidae: Acraeinae. The Hoffmann (1940) catalog lists only four species of this subfamily within the borders of Mexico, but recent collecting has uncovered one that has been misidentified in collections and in correspondence-the one with which the first-mentioned species had been confused and an undescribed subspecies of a well-known South American insect.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Biological Control of Tropical Weeds in Temperate Regions
    insects Review Climate Mismatch between Introduced Biological Control Agents and Their Invasive Host Plants: Improving Biological Control of Tropical Weeds in Temperate Regions Nathan E. Harms 1,* , Ian A. Knight 1, Paul D. Pratt 2, Angelica M. Reddy 2 , Abhishek Mukherjee 3, Ping Gong 4, Julie Coetzee 5 , S. Raghu 6 and Rodrigo Diaz 7 1 Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA; [email protected] 2 Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 94710, USA; [email protected] (P.D.P.); [email protected] (A.M.R.) 3 Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, Jharkhand 815301, India; [email protected] 4 Environmental Processes Branch, Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA; [email protected] 5 Centre for Biological Control, Botany Department, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; [email protected] 6 CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Brisbane 4001, Australia; [email protected] 7 Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +01-601-634-2976 Citation: Harms, N.E.; Knight, I.A.; Simple Summary: Mismatched distributions between biological control agents and their host plants Pratt, P.D.; Reddy, A.M.; Mukherjee, occur for a variety of reasons but are often linked to climate, specifically differences in their low- A.; Gong, P.; Coetzee, J.; Raghu, S.; Diaz, R. Climate Mismatch between temperature tolerances.
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Plant Mikania Micrantha
    Interactive Effect of Herbivory and Competition on the Invasive Plant Mikania micrantha Junmin Li1,2,3, Tao Xiao1, Qiong Zhang1, Ming Dong1,3* 1 College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China, 2 Institute of Ecology, Taizhou University, Linhai, China, 3 State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Abstract A considerable number of host-specific biological control agents fail to control invasive plants in the field, and exploring the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is important and helpful for the management of invasive plants. Herbivory and competition are two of the most common biotic stressors encountered by invasive plants in their recipient communities. We predicted that the antagonistic interactive effect between herbivory and competition would weaken the effect of herbivory on invasive plants and result in the failure of herbivory to control invasive plants. To examine this prediction, thus, we conducted an experiment in which both invasive Mikania micrantha and native Coix lacryma-jobi were grown together and subjected to herbivory-mimicking defoliation. Both defoliation and competition had significantly negative effects on the growth of the invader. However, the negative effect of 75% respective defoliation on the above- and below-ground biomass of Mikania micrantha was alleviated by presence of Coix lacryma-jobi. The negative effect of competition on the above- and below-ground biomass was equally compensated at 25%, 50% and 100% defoliation and overcompensated at 75% defoliation. The interactive effect was antagonistic and dependent on the defoliation intensity, with the maximum effect at 75% defoliation. The antagonistic interaction between defoliation and competition appears to be able to release the invader from competition, thus facilitating the invasiveness of Mikania, a situation that might make herbivory fail to inhibit the growth of invasive Mikania in the invaded community.
    [Show full text]