ARS | Publication request: Classical biological control of invasive teasels (Dipsacus spp.) and other weeds in areas of limited or restricted weed management

Submitted to: Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 5, 2012
Publication Date: March 29, 2012
Citation: Rector, B.G., Stoeva, A., Harizanova, V., Petanovic, R. 2012. Classical biological control of invasive teasels (Dipsacus spp.) and other weeds in areas of limited or restricted weed management [abstract]. Integrated Pest Management. 39.4.

Technical Abstract: Invasive teasels (Dipsacus spp.) are considered noxious in five states and listed as invasive in more than a dozen others, despite having little effect on agriculture. They are problematic in areas of limited weed management such as along highways and railroads and in ditches, wetlands and parks. A classical biological control program established by USDA-ARS has identified several candidate agents for teasel control including a sawfly, an eriophyid mite, a flea beetle, and a leaf-mining fly. The mite and sawfly show promise; however development of this research program has stalled due to inconsistent stakeholder support.