Integrated Weed Control Project - Biological Control - Jennifer Andreas Integrated Weed Control Project Director jennifer.andreas@kingcounty.gov (206) 205-3135
Garlic Mustard Garlic mustard - Alliaria petiolata - found in several areas of Vancouver Island - ferry & boat traffic
Knapweeds Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe spp. micranthos) - spread by seed - soil erosion - biodiversity - quality forage Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis)
Knapweed Biocontrol Agents Adult Adults devouring diffuse knapweed Larva consumes seeds Larinus obtusus - seed-head feeding weevil - attacks spotted, meadow & diffuse - currently best agent for meadow - seed production Larinus minutus - seed-head feeding weevil - attacks diffuse, spotted & meadow - strong impact on diffuse in eastern WA - adults can defoliate plants - seed production
Success with Larinus minutus! diffuse knapweed reduced dramatically Before biocontrol agent release After biocontrol agent release
Knapweed Biocontrol Agents Adult Cyphocleonus achates - root-feeding weevil - attacks spotted & diffuse - biomass & density - can kill plants - good success in Montana with L. minutus & root weevil Larva Larval root damage
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria - herbaceous perennial - aquatic, wetland sites - displace native vegetation - degrades wildlife habitat & hunting/ fishing areas - water flow Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada;.bugwood.org
Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Mating adults Eggs Larva Beetles skeletonized loosestrife in Pierce County Galerucella calmariensis / G. pusilla - foliage-feeding beetles - highly effective - larvae & adults devour foliage - do not like tidal-influenced waters
Scotch Broom Bruchidius villosus - seed-feeding bruchid - seed production up to 90% Cytisus scoparius - perennial shrub - displace forage & native species - impacts timber, rangeland Exapion fuscirostre - seed-feeding weevil - widespread - seed production Adult Adult lays eggs into developing seedpod Coombs, ODA Larva consume developing seed Coombs, ODA; bugwood.org
Tansy Ragwort Senecio jacobaea - biennial, unless mowed/cut - toxic to cattle & horses Lee, San Juan CNWCB Lee, San Juan County Noxious Weed Board
Tansy Ragwort Biocontrol Larva mining in leaf Adult Coombs, ODA Adult feeding holes USDA ARS EBCL; bugwood.org Longitarsus jacobaeae - root-feeding flea beetle - excellent agent - widespread - Italian & Swiss strains
Tansy Ragwort Biocontrol Botanophila seneciella - seed-feeding fly - widespread Larvae consuming foliage R. Lee, San Juan Larva consuming seeds Adult Coombs, ODA; bugwood.org Tyria jacobaeae (cinnabar moth) - foliage-feeding moth - effective in large numbers but plants are often able to flower - nontarget concerns Adult Coombs, ODA; bugwood.org
Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare Larvae consume developing seeds Adult Shepard, USFS; bugwood.org - biennial - prevalent in heavily disturbed sites Colquhoun; Oregon State U Harris, AAFC; bugwood.org Urophora stylata - seed-feeding fly - seed production
Canada Thistle Oregon State University Cirsium arvense - creeping perennial - forage - competes with crops Adult University of Wisconsin The Nature Conservancy Larva inside plant create gall Rees, USDA ARS; bugwood.org Urophora cardui - stem-galling fly - plant vigor - works in conjunction with plant competition
Knotweed Biocontrol - 3 species in North America Fallopia japonica Fallopia sachalinensis Fallopia x bohemica - project began in UK in 2003 - biocontrol research in U.S. in 2006 - genetic studies?
Eliminated Species - Gallerucida bifasciata leaf-feeding beetle eliminated developed on native Rumex species CABI - Ostrinia latipennis shoot-mining moth eliminated developed on native Rumex species jpmoth.org
Aphalara itadori - sap-sucking psyllid - nymphs can kill plants at high densities CABI - best on giant & Bohemian Japanese needs to be determined CABI - potential to be veryeffective short development time high reproductive potential CABI
Aphalara itadori - host-specificity testing 50 plants tested 14 species left to test follow-up studies CABI - 3 nontarget species supported very reduced levels of development CABI - petition ready for submittal in spring CABI
Additional Potential Agent Ostrinia ovalipennis - stem-boring pyralid - imported from Japan this summer CABI - currently undergoing winter dormancy - host-specificity tests begin in few months - testing process will be slower than Aphalara
Potential Release Sites - large infestation of giant &/or hybrid - not treated in other ways - not flood zones some test sites in flood areas possible not sure where psyllid overwinters - Forest Service has priority - hoping for many releases in wide variety of habitats in E and W WA
Where To Continue Chemical Control - too early to rely on biocontrol not yet approved for release - focus on areas with high level of disturbance and spread river, road systems - work on satellite sites source populations - biocontrol is only one tool, as many tools needed to be implemented for successful control
s Role - state-wide program - provide biocontrol agents free of charge to land managers - education to land managers - expertise and on-site recommendations Connett, UI; bugwood.org