Biological Control of Aquatic Biological Control of Aquatic and Wetland Weeds and Wetland Weeds

J. P. CudaJ. P. Cuda11 and G. R. Buckingham and G. R. Buckingham22

Entomology and Nematology DepartmentEntomology and Nematology Department11

USDA, ARS Weed Biocontrol LaboratoryUSDA, ARS Weed Biocontrol Laboratory22

Gainesville, FL, USA 32611-0620Gainesville, FL, USA 32611-0620

Instructor: Instructor: Dr. Jim CudaDr. Jim Cuda phone (352-392-1901 ext 126) phone (352-392-1901 ext 126) email (jcuda@mail.ifas.ufl.edu) email (jcuda@mail.ifas.ufl.edu)

Research / Extension: Research / Extension: Biological Biological Control of Invasive WeedsControl of Invasive Weeds

AgendaAgenda• Overview of North American Aquatic Overview of North American Aquatic

and Wetland Weed Biocontrol Projects and Wetland Weed Biocontrol Projects with Arthropodswith Arthropods– Biologies of Established ArthropodsBiologies of Established Arthropods– Impact on Target WeedsImpact on Target Weeds

• Julien and Forno (2000) Scoring System Julien and Forno (2000) Scoring System

Criteria for Targeting an Aquatic Criteria for Targeting an Aquatic Weed for Biological ControlWeed for Biological Control

• Cause sufficient damageCause sufficient damage– Ecological, NavigationalEcological, Navigational

• No critical beneficial valuesNo critical beneficial values• Existence of natural enemiesExistence of natural enemies

North American Aquatic North American Aquatic and Wetland Weed Targetsand Wetland Weed Targets

– AlligatorweeAlligatorweedd

– EurasianEurasian

WatermilfoilWatermilfoil– HydrillaHydrilla– MelaleucaMelaleuca

– Purple Purple

LoosestrifeLoosestrife– SalviniaSalvinia– WaterhyacinthWaterhyacinth– WaterlettuceWaterlettuce

AlligatorweedAlligatorweed((Alternanthera philoxeroidesAlternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb) (Mart.) Griseb)

•Plant Family: AmaranthaceaePlant Family: Amaranthaceae

•Origin: South AmericaOrigin: South America•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

-Anchored Floating PlantAnchored Floating Plant-Forms Dense Surface Mats Forms Dense Surface Mats Capable of Choking WaterwaysCapable of Choking Waterways

•Three Insects Released andThree Insects Released and Established in USAEstablished in USA

Alligatorweed Flea BeetleAlligatorweed Flea Beetle((Agasicles hygrophilaAgasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt) Selman & Vogt)

•Col.: ChrysomelidaeCol.: Chrysomelidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1964Release Date: 1964•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, in ClustersEggs Yellow, in Clusters-Larvae BlackLarvae Black-Adults Yellow and BlackAdults Yellow and Black

•Life Cycle: 3 to 4 WeeksLife Cycle: 3 to 4 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Adults / Larvae DefoliateAdults / Larvae Defoliate Plants; Mats SinkPlants; Mats Sink-Waterways Cleared Waterways Cleared

Alligatorweed ThripsAlligatorweed Thrips((Amynothrips andersoniAmynothrips andersoni O’Neal) O’Neal)

•Thy.: PhlaeothripidaeThy.: Phlaeothripidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1967Release Date: 1967•Description:Description:

-Larvae OrangeLarvae Orange-Adults BlackAdults Black

•Life Cycle: 4 WeeksLife Cycle: 4 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Feed on Young Growth (Shoot Feed on Young Growth (Shoot Tips, Leaf Axils) Tips, Leaf Axils) -Heavy Feeding Stunts PlantsHeavy Feeding Stunts Plants-Attacks Terrestrial Form Attacks Terrestrial Form -Cold TolerantCold Tolerant

Alligatorweed MothAlligatorweed Moth((Arcola Arcola [=[= Vogtia Vogtia]] malloi malloi (Pastrana)) (Pastrana))

•Lep.: Pyralidae Lep.: Pyralidae oror Phycitidae Phycitidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1971Release Date: 1971•Description:Description:

-Larvae Brownish Larvae Brownish -Adults Small, TanAdults Small, Tan

•Life Cycle: 5 WeeksLife Cycle: 5 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Larvae Bore Into Stem TipLarvae Bore Into Stem Tip-Feeding Damage Kills Feeding Damage Kills Stem; Turns Yellow and WiltsStem; Turns Yellow and Wilts-Migrates North in SummerMigrates North in Summer

Eurasian WatermilfoilEurasian Watermilfoil((Myriophyllum spicatumMyriophyllum spicatum L.) L.)

•Plant Family: HaloragaceaePlant Family: Haloragaceae•Origin: Asia and EuropeOrigin: Asia and Europe•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Rooted Submersed SpeciesRooted Submersed Species- Forms Dense Surface Mats Forms Dense Surface Mats Capable of Choking WaterwaysCapable of Choking Waterways

• Native Insect Provides ControlNative Insect Provides Control - ‘New Associate’- ‘New Associate’

Eurasian WatermilfoilEurasian Watermilfoil((Myriophyllum spicatumMyriophyllum spicatum L.) L.)

Milfoil WeevilMilfoil Weevil((Eurhychiopsis lecontei Eurhychiopsis lecontei (Dietz))(Dietz))

•Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: North AmericaOrigin: North America •Release Date: N/ARelease Date: N/A•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellowish, Deposited Eggs Yellowish, Deposited Singly on Meristems Singly on Meristems -Larvae Mine StemLarvae Mine Stem-Adults Yellow and GrayAdults Yellow and Gray

•Life Cycle: 30 daysLife Cycle: 30 days•Impact: Impact:

- Adults / Larvae Damage Adults / Larvae Damage Stems, LeavesStems, Leaves- Plants Lose Buoyancy, Sink- Plants Lose Buoyancy, Sink

HydrillaHydrilla((Hydrilla verticillataHydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle) (L. f.) Royle)

•Plant Family: HydrocharitaceaePlant Family: Hydrocharitaceae•Origin: Africa, Asia and Australia Origin: Africa, Asia and Australia •Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Rooted Submersed SpeciesRooted Submersed Species- Forms Dense Surface Mats Forms Dense Surface Mats Capable of Choking WaterwaysCapable of Choking Waterways

•First Submersed Weed Targeted First Submersed Weed Targeted for Classical Biological Controlfor Classical Biological Control

HydrillaHydrilla((Hydrilla verticillataHydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle) (L. f.) Royle)

Indian Leaf Mining FlyIndian Leaf Mining Fly((Hydrellia pakistanae Hydrellia pakistanae Deonier)Deonier)

•Dip.: EphydridaeDip.: Ephydridae•Origin: IndiaOrigin: India•Release Date: 1987Release Date: 1987•Description:Description:

-Eggs White, ElongateEggs White, Elongate-Larvae White to Pale GreenLarvae White to Pale Green-Adults Black w/ Gold Face Adults Black w/ Gold Face

•Life Cycle: 3 to 4 WeeksLife Cycle: 3 to 4 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

- Larvae Mine LeavesLarvae Mine Leaves- Widely EstablishedWidely Established- Impact Variable Impact Variable

Tip Mining MidgeTip Mining Midge((Cricotopus lebetis Cricotopus lebetis Sublette)Sublette)

•Dip.: ChironomidaeDip.: Chironomidae•Origin: Adventive? NativeOrigin: Adventive? Native•Release Date: N/ARelease Date: N/A•Description:Description:

-Eggs White, Linear MassEggs White, Linear Mass-Larvae Pale Green w/ Larvae Pale Green w/ Blue BandBlue Band-Adults Black and White Adults Black and White

•Life Cycle: 1 to 2 WeeksLife Cycle: 1 to 2 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

- Larvae Mine Meristems Larvae Mine Meristems - Stunts Shoot GrowthStunts Shoot Growth- Limited Distribution?Limited Distribution?

MelaleucaMelaleuca((Melaleuca quinquenerviaMelaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake) (Cav.) S.T. Blake)

•Plant Family: MyrtaceaePlant Family: Myrtaceae•Origin: Australia Origin: Australia •Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Wetland TreeWetland Tree- Escaped CultivationEscaped Cultivation

•Forms Impenetrable Thickets Forms Impenetrable Thickets •Threatens Wetland Ecosystems inThreatens Wetland Ecosystems in South FloridaSouth Florida

MelaleucaMelaleuca((Melaleuca quinquenerviaMelaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake) (Cav.) S.T. Blake)

Melaleuca WeevilMelaleuca Weevil((Oxyops vitiosaOxyops vitiosa Pascoe) Pascoe)

•Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae

•Origin: AustraliaOrigin: Australia•Release Date: 1997Release Date: 1997•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Covered Eggs Yellow, Covered -Larvae Slug-likeLarvae Slug-like-Adults Tan and GrayAdults Tan and Gray

•Life Cycle: 12 WeeksLife Cycle: 12 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Adults / Larvae Feed on Adults / Larvae Feed on Tender Leaves & StemsTender Leaves & Stems-Disrupt Seed Production Disrupt Seed Production

Melaleuca PsyllidMelaleuca Psyllid((Boreioglycaspis melaleucaeBoreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore) Moore)

•Hom.: PsyllidaeHom.: Psyllidae•Origin: AustraliaOrigin: Australia•Release Date: 2002Release Date: 2002•Description:Description:

-Adults & Nymphs Yellow, -Adults & Nymphs Yellow, -Nymphs Covered w/ White Nymphs Covered w/ White Waxy FilamentsWaxy Filaments

•Life Cycle: 7 WeeksLife Cycle: 7 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Nymphs Feed in GroupsNymphs Feed in Groups on Leaves & Stemson Leaves & Stems-Damage Kills PlantsDamage Kills Plants

Purple LoosestrifePurple Loosestrife((Lythrum salicariaLythrum salicaria L.) L.)

•Plant Family: LythraceaePlant Family: Lythraceae•Origin: Asia, Europe, North AfricaOrigin: Asia, Europe, North Africa•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Herbaceous Wetland WeedHerbaceous Wetland Weed- Escaped CultivationEscaped Cultivation

•Forms Monospecific Stands Forms Monospecific Stands •Four Insects Released in N. AmericaFour Insects Released in N. America

Purple LoosestrifePurple Loosestrife((Lythrum salicariaLythrum salicaria L.) L.)

UUC Davis

Leaf BeetlesLeaf Beetles((Galerucella Galerucella spp.)spp.)

                             

•Col.: ChrysomelidaeCol.: Chrysomelidae•Origin: EuropeOrigin: Europe•Release Date: 1992 Release Date: 1992 Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Clusters Eggs Yellow, Clusters -Larvae OrangeLarvae Orange-Adults Light BrownAdults Light Brown

•Life Cycle: 6 WeeksLife Cycle: 6 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Adults / Larvae Feed on Adults / Larvae Feed on Buds, Leaves & StemsBuds, Leaves & Stems-Defoliation Kills Plants-Defoliation Kills Plants

Cornell

UIUC

Root WeevilRoot Weevil((Hylobius transversovittatusHylobius transversovittatus Goeze) Goeze)

                             •Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: EuropeOrigin: Europe•Release Date: 1992Release Date: 1992•Description:Description:

-Eggs Cream ColoredEggs Cream Colored-Larvae TanLarvae Tan-Adults Dark BrownAdults Dark Brown

•Life Cycle: 1 –2 YearsLife Cycle: 1 –2 Years•Impact: Impact:

-Larvae Feed & PupateLarvae Feed & Pupate Inside RootsInside Roots-Damage Root SystemDamage Root System

Cornell

Cornell

Flower WeevilFlower Weevil((Nanophyes marmoratusNanophyes marmoratus Goeze) Goeze)

                             •Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: EuropeOrigin: Europe•Release Date: 1994Release Date: 1994•Description:Description:

-Eggs Cream ColoredEggs Cream Colored-Larvae TanLarvae Tan-Adults ReddishAdults Reddish

•Life Cycle: 1 MonthLife Cycle: 1 Month•Impact: Impact:

-Larvae Feed & PupateLarvae Feed & Pupate Inside Flower BudsInside Flower Buds-Flower AbortionFlower Abortion

Giant SalviniaGiant Salvinia((Salvinia molestaSalvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell) D.S. Mitchell)

•Plant Family: SalviniaceaePlant Family: Salviniaceae•Origin: Southern BrazilOrigin: Southern Brazil•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Free Floating FernFree Floating Fern- Escaped CultivationEscaped Cultivation

•Forms Large Floating Mats thatForms Large Floating Mats that Cover Entire WaterwaysCover Entire Waterways

•Recently Invaded North AmericaRecently Invaded North America

Giant SalviniaGiant Salvinia((Salvinia molestaSalvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell) D.S. Mitchell)

•Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: BrazilOrigin: Brazil•Release Date: 2001Release Date: 2001•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Laid SinglyEggs Yellow, Laid Singly-Larvae & Pupae TanLarvae & Pupae Tan-Adults Small, Black Adults Small, Black

•Life Cycle: 4 to 6 WeeksLife Cycle: 4 to 6 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Adults / Larvae DamageAdults / Larvae Damage Leaf Buds & RhizomesLeaf Buds & Rhizomes-Feeding Damage Kills Feeding Damage Kills Plants; Waterways ClearedPlants; Waterways Cleared

Salvinia WeevilSalvinia Weevil((Cyrtobagous salviniaeCyrtobagous salviniae Calder & Sands) Calder & Sands)

WaterhyacinthWaterhyacinth((Eichhornia crassipesEichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) (Mart.) Solms)

•Plant Family: PontederiaceaePlant Family: Pontederiaceae•Origin: South AmericaOrigin: South America•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Free Floating PlantFree Floating Plant- Escaped CultivationEscaped Cultivation

•Forms Large Floating Mats thatForms Large Floating Mats that Cover Entire WaterwaysCover Entire Waterways

•Three Insects Released in USThree Insects Released in US

WaterhyacinthWaterhyacinth((Eichhornia crassipesEichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) (Mart.) Solms)

Waterhyacinth WeevilsWaterhyacinth WeevilsNeochetinaNeochetina spp. spp.

•Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1972 Release Date: 1972 && ‘74 ‘74•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Laid Singly Eggs Yellow, Laid Singly -Larvae Cream ColoredLarvae Cream Colored-Adults Brown; ChevronAdults Brown; Chevron

•Life Cycle: 3 MonthsLife Cycle: 3 Months•Impact: Impact:

- Larvae Destroy MeristemsLarvae Destroy Meristems of Daughter Plantsof Daughter Plants- Reduce Plant Height or KillReduce Plant Height or Kill Plants Plants

Waterhyacinth MothWaterhyacinth Moth((Niphograpta albiguttalis Niphograpta albiguttalis WarrenWarren))

•Lep.: PyralidaeLep.: Pyralidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1977Release Date: 1977•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Laid Singly Eggs Yellow, Laid Singly -Larvae Tan & BrownLarvae Tan & Brown-Adults Yellowish GrayAdults Yellowish Gray

•Life Cycle: 4 - 5 WeeksLife Cycle: 4 - 5 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Larvae Bore Inside Petioles Larvae Bore Inside Petioles -Damaged Petioles LooseDamaged Petioles Loose Buoyancy & Die Buoyancy & Die

WaterlettuceWaterlettuce((Pistia stratiotesPistia stratiotes L.) L.)

•Plant Family: AraceaePlant Family: Araceae•Origin: South America? Native?Origin: South America? Native?•Growth Habit: Growth Habit:

- Free Floating PlantFree Floating Plant- Escaped CultivationEscaped Cultivation

•Rosettes Form Floating MatsRosettes Form Floating Mats- Cover Entire WaterbodiesCover Entire Waterbodies- Breeds Breeds MansoniaMansonia Mosquitoes Mosquitoes

•Two Insects Released in USTwo Insects Released in US- Only One Established- Only One Established

WaterlettuceWaterlettuce((Pistia stratiotesPistia stratiotes L.) L.)

WaterlettuceWaterlettuce((Pistia stratiotesPistia stratiotes L.) L.)

•Col.: CurculionidaeCol.: Curculionidae•Origin: ArgentinaOrigin: Argentina•Release Date: 1987Release Date: 1987•Description:Description:

-Eggs Yellow, Laid SinglyEggs Yellow, Laid Singly-Larvae Cream ColoredLarvae Cream Colored-Adults Brown to GrayAdults Brown to Gray

•Life Cycle: 3 to 4 WeeksLife Cycle: 3 to 4 Weeks•Impact: Impact:

-Adults / Larvae DamageAdults / Larvae Damage Leaves; Leaves; -Plants Loose Buoyancy-Plants Loose Buoyancy-Waterways Cleared Waterways Cleared

New Scoring System For Selecting New Scoring System For Selecting Arthropods for Aquatic Weed BiocontrolArthropods for Aquatic Weed Biocontrol

• Proposed by Wendy Forno & Mic JulienProposed by Wendy Forno & Mic Julien

– G. Gurr and S. Wratten (eds). 2000. Biological G. Gurr and S. Wratten (eds). 2000. Biological Control: Measures of Success, Chapter 6.Control: Measures of Success, Chapter 6.

• Provides Criteria Provides Criteria SpecificallySpecifically for Selecting for Selecting and Prioritizing Arthropods for Aquatic and Prioritizing Arthropods for Aquatic Weed BiocontrolWeed Biocontrol

• Provides Criteria for Assessing Provides Criteria for Assessing Impact Impact After After EstablishmentEstablishment

Julien and Forno Scoring SystemJulien and Forno Scoring System

• Criteria For Selecting Candidate Criteria For Selecting Candidate Arthropods in Native RangeArthropods in Native Range

1.1. Damage by AdultsDamage by Adults

2.2. Damage by ImmaturesDamage by Immatures

3.3. Duration of AttackDuration of Attack

4.4. Number of GenerationsNumber of Generations

• Maximum Score = 16Maximum Score = 16

Julien and Forno Scoring SystemJulien and Forno Scoring System

1.1. Damage by Adults Damage by Adults ScoreScoreA.A. No DamageNo Damage 00

B.B. Damage Leaf/Stem TissueDamage Leaf/Stem Tissue 22

C.C. “ “ Vascular/StructuralVascular/Structural TissueTissue 44

Example: Example:

Hydrilla Tip Midge, Hydrilla Tip Midge, C. lebetisC. lebetis 00

(Adults do not feed)(Adults do not feed)

Julien and Forno Scoring SystemJulien and Forno Scoring System

2. Damage by Immatures 2. Damage by Immatures ScoreScoreA.A. Damage Leaf/Stem Tissue Damage Leaf/Stem Tissue 22

B.B. “ “ Vascular/StructuralVascular/Structural TissueTissue 44

Example: Example:

Hydrilla Tip Midge, Hydrilla Tip Midge, C. lebetisC. lebetis 44

(Larvae Destroy Apical Meristems)(Larvae Destroy Apical Meristems)

Julien and Forno Scoring SystemJulien and Forno Scoring System

3. 3. Duration of Attack Duration of Attack ScoreScoreA.A. Limited Period of Attack Limited Period of Attack 00

B.B. Prolonged AttackProlonged Attack 22

C.C. “ “ “ “ w/ Increased Susceptability w/ Increased Susceptability

to Waterlogging, Sinkingto Waterlogging, Sinking 4 4

Example: Example:

Hydrilla Tip Midge, Hydrilla Tip Midge, C. lebetisC. lebetis 33

(Prolonged Attack by Larvae (Prolonged Attack by Larvae

Stunts Plant Growth)Stunts Plant Growth)

Julien and Forno Scoring SystemJulien and Forno Scoring System

4. 4. No. of Generations No. of Generations ScoreScoreA.A. One Generation AnnuallyOne Generation Annually 11

B.B. Two or Three Generations Two or Three Generations 22

C.C. Four or Five Generations Four or Five Generations 4 4

Example: Example:

Hydrilla Tip Midge, Hydrilla Tip Midge, C. lebetisC. lebetis

(Four or Five Generations) (Four or Five Generations) 4 4

_____ _____

TOTAL SCORETOTAL SCORE 1111

For Additional Information on For Additional Information on Biologically Based Weed Biologically Based Weed

Management, Go To:Management, Go To:

http://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://biocontrol.ifas.ufl.edu