Biological Control Programs for Invasive Plants

Biological Control Programs for Invasive Plants
A Presentation by W.D. McIlveen

Biological Control Review
Native 2348 species/subspecies

Native 2348 species/subspecies Non-native 1664 species

Native 2348 species/subspecies Non-native 1664 species Others (not assigned not native) 573 species

SE5 = Very common exotics 156 species

SE5 = Very common exotics 156 species SE4 - Common exotic 48 species

Steps to Becoming a Problem Invasive 1. Colonial seeds/plants become established

Steps to Becoming a Problem Invasive 1. Colonial seeds/plants become established 2. Plants are able to reproduce

Steps to Becoming a Problem Invasive 1. Colonial seeds/plants become established 2. Plants are able to reproduce 3. Population increases

Steps to Becoming a Problem Invasive 1. Colonial seeds/plants become established 2. Plants are able to reproduce 3. Population increases 4. Indigenous insects, disease are ineffective in controlling plants

Steps to Becoming a Problem Invasive 1. Colonial seeds/plants become established 2. Plants are able to reproduce 3. Population increases 4. Indigenous insects, disease are ineffective in controlling plants 5. Populations reach stage where plants are considered to be invasive (ecological problem, economic problem, health issues) based on human value assessments

Pest Agent Insect or Disease Host (Plant) Presumed to be ‘In balance’ Can have severe impact (e.g. Dutch Elm, EAB) Few instances but hard to recognize If suitable, can bring about acceptable balance

Pest Agent Insect or Disease Native Introduced Host (Plant) Presumed to be ‘In balance’ Can have severe impact (e.g. Dutch Elm, EAB) Few instances but hard to recognize If suitable, can bring about acceptable balance

Biological Control Review – Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense – Canada Thistle

Excerpt from Canada Thistles Act, 1865

Name Agent Release Year Altica carduorum Foliar-feeding beetle 1964 Hadroplontus litura Stem, root crown-feeding weevil 1975 Larinus planus Seed-feeding weevil 1988 adventive Puccinia punctiformis Rust 2002 Rhinocyllus conicus 1979 Terellia ruficauda Seed-feeding fly 1931 adventive Urophora cardui Stem gall-forming fly 1974 Lema cyanella 1993 adventive Cassida rubiginosa 1902 adventive Cleonis pigra Root crown weevil 2003 adventive Dasineura gibsoni Seed hairs midge Vanessa cardui Painted Lady Native Biological control agents for Canada Thistle

Altica carduorum Canada Thistle Fleabeetle

Hadroplontus litura Larinus planus Terellia ruficauda Cassida rubiginosa

Uphora cardui – Thistle Stem Gall

Puccinia puntiformis – Thistle Rust Painted Lady – Native species

Biological Control Review - St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum St. John’s Wort or Klamath Weed Designated as noxious weed in 20 countries Invasive and toxic causing photosensitization in cattle

Chrysolina hypericis Chrysolina quadrigemina All three species were released in Ontario to control St. John’s Wort Aplocera plagiata

Klamath Beetle - Chrysolina quadrigemina Beetles are prey to Carabid beetles when they enter soil to pupate or as adults

The fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causes stem lesions on St. John’s Wort Infections caused dieback and mortality of the host plant Disease was considered useful as a biocontrol agent Fungus is spread by Chrysolina Beetles

Oil from flowers works as a topical treatment for bruises, joint problems, inflammation and/or neurological problems

Oil from flowers works as a topical treatment for bruises, joint problems, inflammation and/or neurological problems Widly sold as a herbal remedy against mild depression Nicknamed the “Herb of Happiness”

Because of crop values for medicine, attempts to grow disease resistant St. John’s Wort are underway

Hypericum frondosum Sunburst St. John’s Wort Hypericum hookerianum Hooker’s St. John’s Wort Horticultural Hypericum species

Hypericum gentianoides False St. John's-wort or Orange-grass Hypericum sphaerocarpum Round-fruited St. John's-wort Rare species of Hypericum in Ontario

Biological Control Review – Knapweeds
Knapweed Species Centaurea benedicta Centaurea callitrapa Centaurea diffusa Centaurea jacea Centaurea nigra Centaurea nigrescens Centaurea paniculata Centaurea scabiosa Centaurea solstitialis Centaurea stoebe Centaurea X moncktonii Centaurea X psammogena Centaurea infestation

Species Common Name Year Release Urophora quadrifasciata Seed-head Gall Fly 1970 Urophora affinis 1972 Metzneria paucipunctella Seed-head Moth 1973 Sphenoptera jugoslavica Root Gall Beetle 1976 Agapeta zoegana Root Moth 1982 Pelochrista medulla Pterolonche inspersa 1986 Cyphocleonus achates Root Weevil 1987 Puccinia centaureae Knapweed Rust Disease 1988 Larinus obtusus Seed-head Weevil 1993 Bangastermis fausti 1992 USA only Aceria centaureae Leaf Gall Mite 1993 USA only Isoculus minutus Seed-head Gall Wasp Under evaluation

Urophora quadrifasciata Urophora affinis Metzneria paucipunctella

Urophora quadrifasciata Urophora affinis Metzneria paucipunctella Sphenoptera jugoslavica Agapeta zoegana Pelochrista medulla

Urophora quadrifasciata Urophora affinis Metzneria paucipunctella Sphenoptera jugoslavica Agapeta zoegana Pelochrista medulla Pterolonche inspersa Cyphocleonus achates Puccinia centaureae

Centaurea macrocephala Centaurea cyaneus Centaurea montana

Biological Control Review – Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria Poster plant for invasive species Desirable as nectar plant for Honey Bees and for horticultural purposes

Neogalerucella calmariensis Neogalerucella pusilla Hylobius transversovittatus Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992

Neogalerucella calmariensis Neogalerucella pusilla Hylobius transversovittatus Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992 Nanophyes marmoratus Released New York and Minnesota Adventive to Ontario, 2012

Neogalerucella calmariensis Neogalerucella pusilla Hylobius transversovittatus Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992 Released in Ontario 1992 Nanophyes marmoratus Released New York and Minnesota Adventive to Ontario, 2012 Nanophyes brevis Approved for release but withheld due to a nematode infection

Four-lined Plant Bug - Poecilocapsus lineatus

Small Engralid – Ectropis crepuscularia Loosestrife Aphid Myzus lythri Aphid from Europe, ca 1930 Other insects feeding on Purple Loosestrife

Species at potential risk from Loosestrife Beetles is rare native Winged Loosestrife Lythrum alatum

Biological Control Review - Docks
Rumex crispus – Curled Dock

Species Action Apion frumentarium Herbivore Apion violaceum Bembecia chrysisiformis Stems/Roots Chamaesphecia doryliformis Gastrophysa viridula Hypera rumicis Lixomorphus ocularis Roots Pegomya solennis Blotch Leaf Miner Ramularia rubella Pathogen Leaves Uromyces rumicis List of biological agents used to control Rumex species

Hypera rumicis

Ramularia rubella Uromyces rumicis – Dock Rust

Apion frumentarium Apion violaceum Lixomorphus ocularis Pegomyia solennis – Dock Leaf Blotch Miner

Biological Control Review Leafy Spurge
- Euphorbia esula from Eurasia first reported in North America in 1827 - Leafy spurge is now abundant in western United States and prairie provinces of Canada - Covers 2,000,000 ha in U.S. and 650,000 acres in Manitoba

Biological control agents……………..

Sheep and Goats feeding on Leafy Spurge

Insects introduced to control Leafy Spurge Species Type Year Hyles euphorbia Lepidoptera: Sphingidae 1964 Chamaesphecia empiformis Lepidoptera: Sesiidae 1975 Chamaesphecia tenthrediniformis Oberea erythrocephala Coleoptera: Cerambycidae 1980 Spurgia esulae Diptera: Cecidomyiidae 1985 Aphthona flava Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae Aphthona cyparissiae 1986 Aphthona czwalinae 1987 Aphthona nigriscutis 1989 Lobesia euphorbiana Lepidoptera: 1990 Dasineura sp. nr. capsulae 1991 Aphthona abdominalis 1993 Aphthona lacertosa Chamaesphecia hungarica Chamaesphecia crassicornis 1996 Spurgia capitigena 1998

Hyles euphorbia, 1964

Lobesia euphorbiana – Introduced in 1990

Chamaesphecia empiformis 1975 Chamaesphecia tenthrediniformis 1975 Chamaesphecia hungarica 1993 Chamaesphecia crassicornis 1996

Aphthona flava 1985 Aphthona cyparissiae 1986 Aphthona czwalinae 1987

Aphthona flava 1985 Aphthona cyparissiae 1986 Aphthona czwalinae 1987 Aphthona nigriscutis 1989 Aphthona abdominalis 1993 Aphthona lacertosa 1993

Oberea erythrocephala (Red-headed Stem Borer) 1980

Dasineura sp. nr. capsulae, 1991

Spurgia esulae 1985 Spurgia capitigena, 1998

Biological Control Review – Tansy Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea - Introduced from Europe about 150 years ago - Extensive stands in BC, Washington but also from Manitoba eastward; also divided west and east distribution in United States

Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae Introduced 1962

Botanophila seneciella Ragwort Seed Fly Introduced 1968

Black-headed Conch Cochylis atricapitanus Introduced 1990

Longitarsus jacobaeae Tansy Ragwort Flea Beetle Introduced 1971 and 2011 Longitarsus flavicornis Tansy Ragwort Flea Beetle Introduced 1971

Biological Control Review – Bull Thistle
Bull Thistle Gall Fly Urophora stylata

Biological Control Review – Nodding Thistle
Thistle Crown Weevil Trichosirocalus horridus Thistle-head Weevil Rhinocyclus conicus

Biological Control Review – Russian Thistle
Host = Salsola tragus Russian Thistle Stem Miner Moth Coleophora parthenica

Thank You

Biological Control Programs for Invasive Plants

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