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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423189
Research Project: Development and Implementation of Biological Control Programs for Natural Area Weeds in the Southeastern United States

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Ecological niche modeling and threats to a temperate non-target species from tropical biological control agents of Lygodium microphyllum

Author
item Wheeler, Gregory
item SUTTON, GUY - Rhodes University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Old World climbing fern is one of the worst environmental weeds of Florida. Two insects are being developed for the biological control of this invasive species, the defoliators Callopistria exotica and Lygomusotima stria. Both agents were found in tropical regions of Southeast Asia feeding on Old World climbing fern. Host range studies indicated both species will only feed on members of the Lygodium genus, completing development only on species of Lygodium. However, under quarantine laboratory conditions, both completed development on a a valued North American species, L. palmatum. The threat posed by these potential agents to this temperate non-target species was evaluated by determination of their tolerance of cold temperatures and by ecological niche modeling studies. The results of these studies indicated that neither potential agent would survive in the cold temperate areas where the non-target L. palmatum grows naturally. These results suggest that both agents will assist land managers reaching weed management objectives without damaging valued non-target species.

Technical Abstract: Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum is one of the worst environmental weeds of Florida. Two agents are being developed for the biological control of this invasive species, the defoliators Callopistria exotica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Lygomusotima stria (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Both agents were found in tropical regions of Southeast Asia feeding on the target weed. Host range examinations indicated both species are genus-level specialists, completing development only on species of Lygodium. However, both completed development on a temperate native species, L. palmatum. The threat posed by these potential agents to this temperate non-target species was further evaluated by thermal tolerance and ecological niche modeling studies. The results of these studies indicated that neither potential agent would survive in the temperate areas where the non-target L. palmatum grew naturally. These results suggest that both agents will assist land managers reaching weed management objectives without damaging valued non-target species.