FHTET-2011-02 September 2011 Control Biological ONTROL C AGWORT R IOLOGICAL B ANSY T AND OF IOLOGY Rachel Winston, Carol Bell Randall, Jeff Littlefield, Bell Randall, Jeff Littlefield, Carol Winston, Rachel B Mark Schwarzländer, Jennie Birdsall, and Eric Coombs Jennie Birdsall, Mark Schwarzländer, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Forest Health Technology Technology Health Forest Team Enterprise BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF TANSY RAGWORT WINSTON, BELL RANDALL, LITTLEFIELD, SCHWARTZLÄNDER, BIRDSALL, COOMBS FHTET-2011-02 The Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET) was created in 1995 by the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service, to develop and deliver technologies to protect and improve the health of American forests. This book was published by FHTET as part of the technology transfer series. http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/ This publication/database reports research involving pesticides. It CAUTION: PESTICIDES does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended. CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. Cover photo: Mark Schwarzländer, University of Idaho The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Forest Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. Federal Recycling Program Printed on recycled paper The Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team (FHTET) was created in 1995 by the Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service, to develop and deliver technologies to protect and improve the health of American forests. This book was published by FHTET as part of the technology transfer series. http://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/ This publication/database reports research involving pesticides. It CAUTION: PESTICIDES does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended. CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. Cover photo: Mark Schwarzländer, University of Idaho The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Forest Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. Federal Recycling Program Printed on recycled paper BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF TANSY RAGWORT Rachel Winston Mark Schwarzländer Environmental Consultant Associate Professor MIA Consulting, LLC Department of Plant, Soil, Shelley, ID and Entomological Sciences University of Idaho Carol Bell Randall Moscow, ID Entomologist USDA Forest Service Jennie Birdsall Forest Health Protection Botanist Coeur d’Alene, ID USDA Forest Service, RMRS Grassland, Shrubland, Jeff Littlefield and Desert Ecosystems Research Scientist Bozeman, MT Department of LRES Montana State University Eric Coombs Biological Control Entomologist Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division Salem, OR For additional copies of this publication, contact: Richard Reardon Carol Bell Randall Mark Schwarzländer USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service University of Idaho 180 Canfield Street 3815 Schreiber Way Moscow, ID 83844 Morgantown, WV 26505 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (208) 885-9319 (304) 285-1566 (208) 765-7343 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank all of the county weed superintendents and land managers that we have worked with through the years for encouraging us to develop our series of biology and biological control manuals. Some of the material in this manual was adapted from past manuals in the “Biology and Biological Control of” series. We wish to acknowledge the authors of the original material. Special thanks to Rosemarie De Clerck-Floate with Agriculture and Agri- food Canada for help with information pertaining to tansy ragwort biological control agents established in Canada. An extensive amount of information, including literature, images, suggestions, and on-the-ground experience was provided by George Markin, USDA Forest Service, retired. We thank him for his significant contributions. We would also like to thank all of the excellent photographers who contributed many of the photographs in this manual. Finally, many thanks to Wendy W. Harding for layout, and Richard Reardon, USDA Forest Service FHTET, for producing this book. BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF TANSY RAGWORT TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUctION .................................................. 1 Overview ..........................................................................1 Classical Biological Control of Weeds ................................................2 Code of Best Practices for Classical Biological Control of Weeds ......................4 Biological Control of Tansy Ragwort.................................................4 Integrated Weed Management .....................................................5 Is Biological Control of Tansy Ragwort Right For You? ................................6 About This Manual . .7 CHAPTER 2: GEttING TO KNOW TANSY RAGWORT ................................ 9 Taxonomy..........................................................................9 Related Species in North America ...................................................9 Tansy Ragwort ................................................................... 10 Classification . 10 Description................................................................... 10 Biology and Ecology .......................................................... 14 Distribution . 15 Commonly Confused Species ................................................. 16 CHAPTER 3: BIOLOGY OF TANSY RAGWORT BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS ........... 19 History........................................................................... 19 Basic Insect Biology . 19 Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)..................................... 21 Beetles (Order Coleoptera) .................................................... 21 Flies (Order Diptera) .......................................................... 21 Tansy Ragwort Biological Control Agents.......................................... 21 Tyria jacobaeae . 23 Cinnabar moth Botanophila seneciella......................................................... 25 Ragwort seed head fly Longitarsus jacobaeae......................................................... 27 Tansy ragwort flea beetle Unapproved (U.S.) Tansy Ragwort Insects ...................................... 33 Cochylis atricapitana....................................................... 33 Additional Longitarsus species ............................................. 34 CHAPTER 4: ELEMENTS OF A TANSY RAGWORT BIOLOGICAL CONTROL PROGRAM ...... 35 Before You Begin . 35 Determining the Scope of the Problem ........................................ 35 Defining Goals and Objectives ................................................ 35 Understanding Tansy Ragwort Management Options .......................... 36 TABLE OF CONTENTS I BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF