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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #189784
Title: TAKING DOWN CLIMBING FERN-BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF LYGODIUM MICROPHYLLUM

Author
item Pemberton, Robert

Submitted to: Wildland Weeds
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2006
Publication Date: 3/1/2006
Citation: Pemberton, R.W. 2006. Taking down climbing fern-biological control of lygodium microphyllum. Wildland Weeds. Spring 2006.

Interpretive Summary: Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, is one of the most serious weeds in Florida, dominating many important Everglades region natural communities. The weed is spreading northward and now is a significant program north of Lake Okeechobee, principally in cypress communities. Chemical and mechanical controls of the weed are expensive and usually temporary controls which injure non-target vegetation in the infested natural areas. Biological control is considered to be the best hope to control the weed. For this reason, biocontrol research on the weed supported by State of Florida agencies and US DOI and USDA-ARS. Biological control research to date has resulted in release of an Australian moth (Austromusotima camptonozale) in 2005, the technical approval of an eriophyid Australian gall mite (Floracarus perrepae) was received in 2004 and a release permit is expected in 2006. In addition, a second defoliating moth (Neomusotima conspurcatalis) also from Australia was petitioned for release in May of 2005 and may be available, if approved, in 2006. Other agents under development are a defoliating sawfly from Thailand (Neostrombocerus sp.) and a stem-boring moth. Siamusotima sp. in Singapore. Within a few years we expect that L. microphyllum will have a suite of insect herbivores released against it and these enemies will begin to reduce the weed’s abundance.

Technical Abstract: Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, is one of the most serious weeds in Florida, dominating many important Everglades region natural communities. The weed is spreading northward and now is a significant program north of Lake Okeechobee, principally in cypress communities. Chemical and mechanical controls of the weed are expensive and usually temporary controls which injure non-target vegetation in the infested natural areas. Biological control is considered to be the best hope to control the weed. For this reason, biocontrol research on the weed supported by State of Florida agencies and US DOI and USDA-ARS. Biological control research to date has resulted in release of an Australian moth (Austromusotima camptonozale) in 2005, the technical approval of an eriophyid Australian gall mite (Floracarus perrepae) was received in 2004 and a release permit is expected in 2006. In addition, a second defoliating moth (Neomusotima conspurcatalis) also from Australia was petitioned for release in May of 2005 and may be available, if approved, in 2006. Other agents under development are a defoliating sawfly from Thailand (Neostrombocerus sp.) and a stem-boring moth. Siamusotima sp. in Singapore. Within a few years we expect that L. microphyllum will have a suite of insect herbivores released against it and these enemies will begin to reduce the weed’s abundance.