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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Southern Insect Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300610
Title: Invasive species compendium: Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell

Author
item Parys, Katherine

Submitted to: CABI Crop Protection Compendium
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2013
Publication Date: 12/18/2013
Citation: Parys, K.A. 2013. Invasive species compendium: Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell. CABI Crop Protection Compendium. https://www.cabi.org/isc/?compid=5&dsid=48447&loadmodule=datasheet&page=481&site=144.

Interpretive Summary: Gant salvinia is one of the world’s worst invasive species. Infestations cause aesthetic damage, interfere with transportation, degrade water quality, impact crop yields, and contribute to human health problems. Control is primarily through herbicides, mechanical removal of plant material, and biological control using a host specific weevil.

Technical Abstract: Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell is an invasive aquatic fern native to a small area of south-eastern Brazil. It has spread throughout the world, forming thick mats of vegetation that decrease dissolved oxygen and pH while outcompeting native vegetation. It has been introduced and established into many countries causing economic damage to areas that become infested. Control efforts include herbicide regimes, mechanical removal of plant material, and releases of biological control agents. The salvinia weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands, has had successful control in some countries by reducing biomass.