Location: Office of International Research Engagement and Cooperation
Project Number: 0210-30400-002-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Oct 14, 2025
End Date: Oct 13, 2030
Objective:
Objective 1: Develop new biological control agents against weeds that are invasive in the United States which are also native to Australia and/or Asia, including Imperata cylindrica, Lygodium microphyllum, Acacia auriculiformis, Hydrilla verticillata, Nymphoides peltata, Azolla pinnata, Rotala rotundifolia, and other weeds of importance to the United States.
Objective 2: Contribute to the development of genetic biological control technologies (e.g., RNAi, gene drives, and the enhancement of classical biological control agents), defining the role that Overseas Biological Control Laboratories have in developing these technologies.
Approach:
Australian Biological Control Laboratory (ABCL) research focuses on discovering and evaluating natural enemies as potential biological control agents (BCAs) for U.S. invasive weeds, predominantly in the southern U.S. Our primary weed targets are Lygodium microphyllum (old world climbing fern), Acacia auriculiformis (earleaf acacia), Azolla pinnata (mosquito fern), Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), and Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass). These invasive species displace native vegetation, alter fire ecology, disrupt water distribution, and impact production systems. Existing chemical, mechanical, and cultural control methods offer only short-term benefits and are insufficient for long-term management.
The goal of our research is to develop long-term biological control solutions for these invasive species that will control them in a sustainable, cost-effective, and ongoing manner. These weeds are generally not problematic in their native ranges due to the presence of natural enemies. We conduct surveys of the target weeds in Asia and Australia to discover and collect these natural enemies. We use population genomics approaches to understand the invasion history of our targets weeds and to aid prioritization of our survey areas. We identify collected specimens using morphological characterization and DNA barcoding. We use preliminary host specificity tests and impact tests to ensure that only host specific and effective natural enemies are shipped to the quarantine facilities of our U.S. collaborators to evaluate and eventually release. Further, emerging genetic biocontrol technologies are being explored globally with the goal of improving the options that are available to manage invasive weeds. Native range research will play a crucial role in the development of these technologies, and ABCL intends to begin engaging in this research area.
Effective management of our target weeds will protect natural and production systems from degradation. Successful control will enhance the sustainability of agriculture, cities, and natural areas, particularly in Florida and the Everglades ecosystem. Our U.S. project partners include USDA ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory (IPRL) in Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. Forest Service.