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Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
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Subjects of Investigation
Australian pine
Brazilian pepper
Lobate lac scale
Lygodium
Melaleuca
Salvinia
Skunk Vine
 

Research Project: DEVELOPMENT & EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR INVASIVE SPECIES THREATENING THE EVERGLADES & OTHER NATURAL AND MANANGED SYSTEMS

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Plant genotype effects on a host specific thrips and the impact on biological control

Authors
item Wheeler, Gregory
item Williams, D -
item Mound, L -

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 14, 2009
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Repository URL: http://www.insectscience.org/10.166/abstract102.html
Citation: Wheeler, G.S., Williams, D.A., Mound, L.A. 2010. Plant genotype effects on a host specific thrips and the impact on biological control. Journal of Insect Science. Vol. 10, Article 166.

Interpretive Summary: Brazilian pepper is among the worst environmental weeds in Florida and other areas of the US. This species occupies diverse habitats causing many environmental problems including decreased biodiversity of the infested areas. Although chemical controls are known and used to control this invasive species, biological control presents an attractive alternative when practiced safely. This weed comes from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The USDA/ARS Invasive Plant lab with colleagues at the South American Biological Control Lab and cooperating universities in Brazil and the US have been searching for insects that will be safe and effective at controlling this weed in the US. By conducting monthly surveys many new insects are being found in South America. These include new moths, wasps, and caterpillar species. Several of these species are undergoing testing to determine suitability and safety for release in the US. Progress will be presented describing the potential of these insects as biological control agents.

Technical Abstract: Brazilian pepper is among the worst environmental weeds in Florida and other areas of the US. This species occupies diverse habitats causing many environmental problems including decreased biodiversity of the infested areas. Although chemical controls are known and used to control this invasive species, biological control presents an attractive alternative when practiced safely. This weed comes from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The USDA/ARS Invasive Plant lab with colleagues at the South American Biological Control Lab and cooperating universities in Brazil and the US have been searching for insects that will be safe and effective at controlling this weed in the US. By conducting monthly surveys many new insects are being found in South America. These include new moths, wasps, and caterpillar species. Several of these species are undergoing testing to determine suitability and safety for release in the US. Progress will be presented describing the potential of these insects as biological control agents.

   

 
Project Team
Tipping, Philip
Wheeler, Gregory
Rayamajhi, Min
Pratt, Paul
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Water Availability and Water Management (211)
  Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)
 
Related Projects
   RISK ASSESSMENT STUDIES OF CLASSICAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF BRAZILIAN PEPPER
   LYGODIUM BIOCONTROL INVESTIGATIONS
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF MELALEUCA QUINQUENERVIA IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA
   CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES PERFORM ONGOING RESEARCH AT THE USDA/ARS INVASIVE PLANT RESEARCH LAB
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF MELALEUCA AND OTHER INVASIVE PLANTS
   MELALEUCA ERADICATION AND OTHER EXOTIC PLANTS: IMPLEMENT BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INVASIVE WEED
   AQUATIC WEED MANAGEMENT
   HOST RANGE TESTING-AUSTRALIAN QUARANTINE OF POTENTIAL INSECT AGENTS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF OLD WORLD CLIMBING FERN(LYGODIUM MICROPHYLLUM)
   RISK ASSESSMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CHINESE TALLOW TRIADICA (=SAPIUM) SEBIFERA IN FLORIDA
   QUARANTINE RISK ASSESSMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL CANDIDATES FOR DOWNY ROSE MYRTLE, RHODOMYRTUS TOMENTOSA
   EXPLORATION FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS OF DOWNEY ROSE MYRTLE RHODOMYRTUS TOMENTOSA IN ASIA
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AIR POTATO (DIOSCOREA BULBIFERA) IN FLORIDA USING THE ASIAN BEETLES LILIOCERIS CHENI AND LILIOCERIS EGENA
   BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF OLD WORLD CLIMBING FERN IN FLORIDA
   DEVELOPMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR WATER HYACINTH AND WATER LETTUCE IN FLORIDA
   Search, identify and export natural enemies of Schinus terebinthifolius, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia molesta, and Eichhornia crassipes
 
 
Last Modified: 05/25/2013
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