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Title: IMPORTANCE OF GENERATING BIOLOGICAL DATA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL PROGRAM AGAINST THE NON-NATIVE INVASIVE VINES, PALE SWALLOW-WORT (VINCETOXICUM ROSSICUM) AND BLACK SWALLOW-WORT (V. NIGRUM)

Author
item DITOMMASO, ANTONIO - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item Milbrath, Lindsey

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2005
Publication Date: 2/13/2006
Citation: Ditommaso, A., Milbrath, L.R. 2006. Importance of generating biological data for development of a biological control program against the non-native invasive vines, pale swallow-wort (vincetoxicum rossicum) and black swallow-wort (v. nigrum). Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts. no.186. [CD-ROM]. Vol.46. Lawrence, KS: Weed Science Society of America.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Invasive non-native plants continue to pose a serious threat to the diversity and stability of many North American ecosystems. Although several management strategies may be options for the control of invasive plants, few offer the long-term suppression desired and are economically and environmentally feasible. The effective management of non-native invasive plants using the classical biological control approach may provide all these benefits. The eventual success of any biological control program however, will be dependent on the availability and generation of critical biological and ecological data about the target species. These data are required because they provide biological control practitioners with essential information about which life stage(s) of the host plant are important for population growth and most susceptible or sensitive to control efforts. Thus, as a major classical biological control program against the two non-native invasive vines, pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) and black swallow-wort (V. nigrum) has been initiated in the Northeastern U.S., the generation of such fundamental ecological research is an essential first step in the program. Here, we outline the approach selected to determine key biological and ecological attributes of the two target species that may significantly affect the search and ultimate selection of potential biological control agents from overseas.