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Title: Cabomba caroliniana Gray cabomba

Author
item SCHOOLER, SHON - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item CABRERA WALSH, GUILLERMO - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL)
item JULIEN, MIC - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2010
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cabomba caroliniana is a submerged aquatic plant from South America that is becoming a serious weed worldwide. It spreads by seed and by fragmentation and has extremely wide climatic range, invading lakes and ponds from tropical (Darwin, Australia: latitude 12º) to cold temperate regions (Peterborough, Canada: attitude 45º). It is invasive in the U.S., where it tends to invade lakes until the clogging makes them useless for navigation, fishing, and other recreational activities. It also affects public safety and water quality. In this manuscript we describe the ecology of the plant in its native and introduced range, the control methods applied so far, and its impact in its native and introduced ranges. There are currently no effective methods of managing cabomba infestations, since mechanical and chemical control methods are both expensive and ineffective. Surveys have examined cabomba in its native range and have identified several natural enemies which have been studied for their potential as biocontrol agents. The most promising one is the stem boring weevil, Hydrotimetes natans, for which we are currently trying to develop laboratory rearing procedures.

Technical Abstract: Cabomba caroliniana is a submerged aquatic plant from South America that is becoming a serious weed worldwide. It spreads by seed and by fragmentation and has extremely wide climatic range, invading lakes and ponds from tropical (Darwin, Australia: latitude 12º) to cold temperate regions (Peterborough, Canada: attitude 45º). There are currently no effective methods of managing cabomba infestations, except mechanical harvesters and pumps. However, these methods are expensive, have limited use, are very destructive, and the control achieved is temporary. In this manuscript we describe the ecology of the plant in its native and introduced range, the control methods applied so far, and its impact in its native and introduced ranges. Evidence indicates that cabomba has accrued a much wider environmental breadth in its exotic range than in its native range, where it is limited to few, low nutrient, environments where it is free of floating competitors and environmental stress. Surveys have examined cabomba in its native range and have identified several natural enemies. The most promising is the stem boring weevil Hydrotimetes natans.