Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Project Number: 6032-22000-013-066-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2019
End Date: Sep 30, 2022
Objective:
1. Rear and release large numbers of the leaf-feeding moth Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the leaflet galling mite Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) for Lygodium microphyllum biological control within the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
2. Monitor the status of biological control agent releases.
3. Develop new biological control agents for Lygodium microphyllum including Lygomusotima stria (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Neostrombocerus albicomus (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) and/or Callopistria exotica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Approach:
Releases of Neomusotima conspurcatalis, Floracarus perrepae, and other approved Lygodium microphyllum biological control agents (if available) will be conducted within the Southwest Florida Water Management District. These sites will be monitored several times per year to determine agent establishment, overwintering success, and impact on the target weed. Quarantine host-range tests will be conducted to further development of candidate biological control agents for Lygodium microphyllum.
