Potential for Biological Control of Weeds in the Pacific. Mic Julien

Transcription

1 Potential for Biological Control of Weeds in the Pacific Mic Julien

2 Weeds list: from meeting of Pacific Heads of Plant Protection held in Fiji in 2004 Weed Cook Fiji Kirib Niue N. Cal Palau PNG CNMI FSM Tuvalu Samoa Chromolaena odorata Mikania micrantha Mimosa pigra 9 Mimosa diplotricha Sida spp Xanthium strumarium 7 10 Parthenium hysterophorus 6 11 Piper aduncum 3 Rottboelia cochinchinensis 2 Sorghum halepens 1 Cyperus rotundus weed species. Each species occurring in at least 1 but up to 11 PICTs

3 This talk - Using the 2004 list of 69 weed species 30 weed species have a history of biological control. Summarised in a table that you have. I will give a brief over-view and some examples of biological control research that may be of interest in the Pacific. The aim of this talk is to alert you to weeds that may have potential for biological control and provide a starting point to seek more information.

4 The weeds were divided into 5 groups 1. Where value can be added by moving agents within the PICTs, ie, agents are already in some PICTs, e.g., Eichhornia crassipes. 9 species 2. Utilising known agents from other countries, e.g., Mimosa pigra agents in Australia. 12 species 3. Utilising current research underway by other countries, e.g. Passiflora species being studied for NZ. 7 species 4. Surveying for and selecting new agents, e.g., Spathodea campanulata surveys in Africa. 2 species 5. No history of biological control, e.g., Mormodica charantia. 39 species

5 Group 1: Adding value Weed Mikania micrantha? Potential for bio control Country with bio control Agent name Release date establ ished Solomon Is Liothrips mikaniae 1988 no Fiji Puccinia spegazzinii 2009 yes PNG Puccinia spegazzinii 2008 yes Lantana camara low FSM Epinota lantana 1948 yes? Palau Epinota lantana yes? FSM effec tive Lantanophaga pusillidactyla 1948 yes yes Fiji Ophiomyia lantanae 1911 yes? N Cal Ophiomyia lantanae 1911 yes? Fiji Salvinia molesta high PNG Fiji Fiji Teleonemia scrupulosa 1928 yes? Cyrtobagous salviniae 1982 yes yes N Cal. Cyrtobagous salviniae 1991 yes yes Cyrtobagous singularis 1979 yes no Agents could be released in Cook Is; Nuie; Palau; FSM; Tuvalu; Samoa; Vanuatu Cook Is; CNMI; Samoa; Vanuatu; Marshall Is.

6 Group 1: Adding value 9 species Agents released in Agents could be released in Chromolaena odorata PNG, Palau, FSM Palau; CNMI; Marshall Is. Mikania micrantha Fiji, PNG Cook Is; Nuie; Palau; FSM; Tuvalu; Samoa; Vanuatu Lantana camara FSM, etc Cook Is; CNMI; Samoa; Vanuatu; Marshall Is. Salvinia molesta Fiji, PNG N Cal. Eichhornia crassipes Fiji, PNG, etc N Cal; Fiji, Nauru, Solomon Is, Vanuatu Pistia stratiotes PNG Vanuatu Sida acuta Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu N Cal; Tuvalu; Solomons Sida rhombifolia Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu N Cal; Tuvalu; Solomons Mimosa diplotricha Cook Is, etc Niue; N Cal; Palau; CNMI; Tuvalu

7 Group 1: Adding value Moving agents from one PICT to another (or between islands within a country) is a simple, cheap and fast way of developing biological control. Includes moving a second or third agent, e.g. Neochetina bruchi for water hyacinth has only been released in PNG. Includes extending current projects to other countries, e.g., on Chromolaena odorata, Mikania micrantha and Lantana camara. Many weeds in this group have high potential for biological control, e.g., Salvinia molesta, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Sida spp. and Mimosa diplotricha. Two examples of successful control where agents can be spread to other countries are - water hyacinth (agents in PNG) Sida (agents in PNG)

8 Example 1: Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes Floating aquatic plant Grows in wide range of conditions Evolved to withstand variable water levels, stranding, desiccation, floods Reproduces by seed and production of daughter plants (off-shoots)

9 Weedy characteristics of water hyacinth Worst aquatic weed Very high growth rates x2 wt & no. in 1 to 3 wks Wide growth tolerances 10ºC to 40ºC ph 4 to 10 high light to shade pristine to eutrophic waters Limited by cold and space 40ºN 40ºS

10 It is spread by man Hotel pond with water hyacinth, Papua New Guinea; Mar 93 Arles market, southern France May 2008

11 Biological control of water hyacinth Initially researched by USDA in 1960s-70s Releases began in 1972 and 1974 in USA Water hyacinth weevils Neochetina bruchi Neochetina eichhorniae Dramatic declines in acreage of water hyacinth in USA followed the releases

12 Biological control of water hyacinth Implemented in 34 countries Mostly with the Neochetina weevils Other insects and a mite are also used Moth: Niphograpta albiguttalis Mirid: Ecritotarsus catarinensis Mite:Orthogalumna terebrantis

13 Papua New Guinea Sepik River

14 Number and square kms Papua New Guinea, Sepik River 40 Number of lagoons infested Estimated area infested (km2) Weevil releases began 0 May-90 Sep-91 Jan-93 Jun-94 Oct-95 Mar-97 Jul-98 Dec-99

15 Tambali Lagoon -

16 % cover Weevils per plant Tambali Lagoon - cover and weevil numbers % cover No. weevils Jul-92 Jul-93 Jul-94 Jul-95 Jun-96 Jun-97 Jun

17 Warasol Lagoon, Sepik river, PNG N. eichhorniae has been released in Fiji, Nauru, Solomon Is and Vanuatu. Feb It could be released in New Caledonia (Pacific list 2004) [Cook Is, French Polynesia, Marshall Is (PIER database)] Neochetina species N. bruchi could also be released in all of those countries. released in 1993 Aug. 1997

18 Example 2: Sida species in PNG Sida distributed in most areas in PNG Following 1997 drought worst infestation Calligrapha pantherina bio control agent Imported ex Australia December 1999 Field released early 2000

19 Sida damaged by Calligrapha Calligrapha pantherina - defoliator

20 Sida under control by Calligrapha Calligrapha damage in Sida Calligrapha could be released in New Caledonia, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands (Pacific list 2004) [Cook Is, FSM, Fiji, Fr Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Is, Niue, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, Vanuatu (PIER database)] Thanks to Lastus Kuniata for the sida photos

21 Groups 2: Utilising agents from other countries 1. Where value can be added by moving agents within the PICTs, ie, agents are already in some PICTs, e.g., Eichhornia crassipes. 2. Utilising known agents from other countries, e.g., Mimosa pigra agents in Australia. 3. Utilising current research underway by other countries, e.g. Passiflora species being studied for NZ 4. Surveying for and selecting new agents, e.g., Spathodea campanulata surveys in Africa 5. No history of biological control, e.g., Mormodica charantia

22 Group 2: Known agents (not in PICTs) Parthenium hysterophorus high Australia Australia Xanthium strumarium high Australia Australia Mimosa pigra high Australia Hydrilla verticillata low USA Bucculatrix parthenica 1984 yes yes Epiblema strenuana 1982 yes yes N Cal; PNG; Vanuatu Epiblema strenuana 1984 yes yes Fiji; PNG Puccinia xanthii 1974 yes yes Acanthosceli des puniceus 1983 yes yes PNG Neurostrota gunniella 1989 yes yes Carmenta mimosa 1989 yes yes Coelocephala pion pigrae 1994 yes? Hydrellia palistanae 1995 yes yes Fiji

23 Group 2: Known agents (12 species) Coccinia grandis: Parthenium hysterophorus Xanthium strumarium Agents available Australia Australia Agents could be released into N Cal; PNG; Vanuatu Fiji; PNG Mimosa pigra Australia PNG Hydrilla verticillata USA Fiji Buddleja davidii NZ PNG Cirsium vulgare Canada, NZ N Cal Clidemia hirta Hawai i Palau; W&F Pluchea indicus Hawai'i Tuvalu Passiflora species Hawai'i Cook Is; Fiji, FSM; F Poly; N Cal; Palau, Samoa; W&F; CNMI; Pitcairn Rottboelia cochinchinensis Hawai i and Marianna Is: Niue, CNMI, FSM, Marshall Is 2 examples follow. They are; Xanthium strumarium, and Mimosa pigra CABI PNG Cyperus rotundus Fiji, etc Fiji; N Cal; PNG; Tonga; W&F; Solomon Is

24 Example 1: Xanthium strumarium (noogoora burr) The rust fungus Puccinia xanthii

25 Puccinia xanthii controlling noogoora burr Agents in Australia could be introduced to Fiji and PNG (Pacific list 2004) [Cook Is, French Polynesia, New Caledonia] (PIER database)

26 Example 2: Mimosa pigra Mimosa pigra in Australia Invasion 1978 Biological control

27 Cum. Number of agents Biological control of Mimosa pigra agents released since project started in 1980 Perhaps another to be released 2010? 9 have established At least two are having a measured impact Another four are also probably contributing to control agents released agents established agents having impact 0

28 Agents having an impact Carmenta mimosa (large stem boring moth) Seed rain was negatively correlated with Carmenta damage Same for seed bank Stands with Carmenta are retreating Mimosa dying from Carmenta attack

29 Agents having an impact: Neurostrota gunniella (small stem boring moth)

30 Agents that may be having impact Acanthoscelides puniceus (Seed bruchid) Coelocephalapion pigrae (Flower feeding weevil)

31 Agents that may be having impact Malacorhinus irregularis Released in 2000 Large numbers at some locations Defoliation

32 New releases; established impact unknown Macaria pallidata Looper moth Released in 2002 Already widely established Leuciris found for first time in March 2009 At Berrimah Farm and Adelaide River. Released from 2004 until 2007 Nesaecrepida infuscata Leaf beetle Larvae breed in roots First release made 2007 Mass rearing and release underway

33 ???? Mimosa pigra agents needed in PNG (Pacific list 2004)?? Tim Heard CSIRO provided the photos??

34 Group 3: Current research 1. Where value can be added by moving agents within the PICTs, ie, agents are already in some PICTs, e.g., Eichhornia crassipes. 2. Utilising known agents from other countries, e.g., Mimosa pigra agents in Australia. 3. Utilising current research underway by other countries, e.g. Passiflora species being studied for NZ 4. Surveying for and selecting new agents, e.g., Spathodea campanulata surveys in Africa 5. No history of biological control, e.g., Mormodica charantia

35 Group 3: Future use of current research (7 species) Weed Research in Could benefit Passiflora species One example: NZ Cook Is; Fiji, FSM; F Poly; N Cal; Palau, Samoa; W&F; CNMI; Pitcairn Cardiospermum grandiflorum (balloon vine) Cardiospermum grandiflorum South Africa Cook Is Egeria densa USA F Poly Tradescantia fluminensis NZ Tonga Hedychium CABI Cook Is; Fiji; FSM Solanum mauritianum NZ Cook Is; N Cal Psidium sp USA? Samoa

36 Example 1: Cardiospermum grandiflorum Balloon vine Native range northern Argentina

37 Cardiospermum grandiflorum Balloon vine Problem in Cook Islands (Pacific list 2004) [French Polynesia (PIER database)] Cissoanthonomus tuberculipennis, seed-feeding weevil Contarinia sp. Fruit-galling Cecidomyiidae Photos from Fernando McKay Seed-feeding Hymenoptera, Lisseurytomella flava Puccinia arechavaletae

38 Group 4: Selecting new agents 1. Where value can be added by moving agents within the PICTs, ie, agents are already in some PICTs, e.g., Eichhornia crassipes. 2. Utilising known agents from other countries, e.g., Mimosa pigra agents in Australia. 3. Utilising current research underway by other countries, e.g. Passiflora species being studied for NZ 4. Surveying for and selecting new agents, e.g., Spathodea campanulata surveys in Africa 5. No history of biological control, e.g., Mormodica charantia

39 Group 4: Selecting new agents Weed Clerodendrum chinense (past project) Spathodea campanulata (current project) Native range surveys Select agents Information on both species follows Native range surveys Select agents Could benefit Cook Is; Fiji; Niue; FSM; Samoa Cook Is; Fiji; Palau; FSM; Vanuata; W&F; Naru

40 Example: Clerodendrum chinense (Honolulu rose) Fiji, Feb 1991 Occurs in Cook Is, Fiji, Niue, Samoa

41 Example: Clerodendrum chinensis (Honolulu rose) Preliminary surveys Vietnam 1991 China 1992 Supported by ACIAR as phase 1. Not supported to phase 2? C. Chinense var. simplex

42 Leaf feeding beetles

43 Phyllocarus undulata Collected from Vietnam and released in Thailand in 1990

44 Stem borers: weevils and cerambycids

45 Fungi and gallers Gall flies (Cecidomyidae) Needed in Cook Is; Fiji, Niue; Samoa (Pacific list 2004 [FSM, Fr Polynesia, PNG, Tonga (PIER database)] Rust on C. paniculatum, Vietnam

46 Example 2: Spathodea campanulata (African tulip)

47 Spathodea campanulata (African tulip) Origins of African tulip Plant genetic work is underway. Ghana Pacific plant is morphological similar with West Africa

48 Group 5: No history of biological control 1. Where value can be added by moving agents within the PICTs, ie, agents are already in some PICTs, e.g., Eichhornia crassipes. 2. Utilising known agents from other countries, e.g., Mimosa pigra agents in Australia. 3. Utilising current research underway by other countries, e.g. Passiflora species being studied for NZ 4. Surveying for and selecting new agents, e.g., Spathodea campanulata surveys in Africa 5. No history of biological control, e.g., Mormodica charantia

49 Group 5: No biological control (39 species) Mormodica charantia Mimosa pudica Thunbergia grandiflora Luffa sp Starchytarpheta urticifolia Clerodendrum quadriloculare Tuneria ulmifolia Merremia peltata Antignon leptopus Pluchea carolinensis Senna tora Pennisetum purpureum Coccinia grandis was here! Piper aduncum Commelina sp Scindapsus Solanum torvum Sphagneticola triloba Cassytha filiformis Elusine indica Kyllingia polyphylla Cleome sp Piper auritum Bidens pilosa Euphorbia hirta Broussotia sp Desmodium incanum Occimum gratissimum Albizia sp Paspalum maximum Acacia farnesiana Sorghum halepens Fue' (vine) Amaranthus spinosus (Occimum grattissimum) Imperata cylindrica Ageratina conyzoides Sedge Creeping vine indet Legume (?)

50 Opportunities Low cost to develop biological control Options 1 to 3 cash-in on existing knowledge and provide fast-track Requires Entomological and plant pathological skills Needs organisations to provide dedicate staff Adequate funding Adequate time One of the known causes of failures in bio control is inadequate resourcing. Package projects for greater impact Package with a collaborating research partners if research is needed (option 4). Package across countries with the same weed species problem.

51 Acknowledgements and references Personal communications L Hayes; L Kuniata; M Day; W Orapa; S Neser; T Heard; A Fourie; D Simelane; C Ellison Biological control information was taken from: Day et al 2003; Day and Bofeng 2007 Cabrera Walsh et al Julien 1993; Julien & Griffiths 1996; Julien et al 2007; Julien & Orapa 2001 McKay et al 2008 Orapa 2005 Pedrosa-Macedo 2004 Waterhouse & Norris 1987 Zacharides et al 2009

52 Thank you