Research Project: Biological Control of Invasive Weeds from Eurasia and Africa

Location: European Biological Control Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Top-down cascading effects of seed-feeding insects and their parasitoids on plant responses and early season herbivores - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cuny, M.A., La Forgia, D., Desurmont, G., Glauser, G., Benrey, B. 2022. Top-down cascading effects of seed-feeding insects and their parasitoids on plant responses and early season herbivores. Functional Ecology. 00, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14049.

Plant volatile emissions induced by insect and gastropod herbivory: a comparative study - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mann, L., Laplanche, D., Degen, T., Turlings, T.C., Desurmont, G.A. 2021. Plant volatile emissions induced by insect and gastropod herbivory: a comparative study. Scientific Reports. 11, 23698. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02801-2.

Submission of mitochondrial sequences of two Botanophila species developing on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.) and diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) in northern Greece - (Database / Dataset)
Bon, M., Kashefi, J., Guermache, F., Smith, L. 2021. Submission of mitochondrial sequences of two Botanophila species developing on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.) and diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) in northern Greece. Genbank. MW590595.1 to MW590603.1.

Genetic analysis of invasive populations of Ventenata dubia (Poaceae): an assessment of propagule pressure and pattern of range expansion in the USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pervukhina-Smith, I., Sforza, R., Cristofaro, M., Smith, J.F., Novak, S.J. 2020. Genetic analysis of invasive populations of Ventenata dubia (Poaceae): an assessment of propagule pressure and pattern of range expansion in the USA. Biological Invasions. 22:3575–3592. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02341-2.

Between a rock and an egg-crushing place: selection pressure from natural enemies and plant defenses on eggs of the viburnum leaf beetle in its native range - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Desurmont, G., Kerdellant, E., Lambin, N. 2020. Between a rock and an egg-crushing place: selection pressure from natural enemies and plant defenses on eggs of the viburnum leaf beetle in its native range. Ecological Entomology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12936.

Biology and ecology of Cryptonevra nigritarsis, a potential biological control agent against the giant reed Arundo donax - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Escobar, Y., Guermache, F., Bon, M., Kerdellant, E., Petoux, L., Desurmont, G. 2020. Biology and ecology of Cryptonevra nigritarsis, a potential biological control agent against the giant reed Arundo donax. Biological Control. 147:104287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104287.

To bee or not to bee – the “raison d’être” of toxic secondary compounds in the pollen of Boraginaceae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Trunz, V., Lucchetti, M., Benon, D., Dorchin, A., Desurmont, G., Kast, C., Rasmann, S., Glauser, G., Praz, C. 2020. To bee or not to bee – the “raison d’être” of toxic secondary compounds in the pollen of Boraginaceae. Functional Ecology. 34(7):1345-1357. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13581.

First report of Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus in the United Kingdom - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tannieres, M., Manaargadoo-Catin, L., Shaw, R. 2020. First report of Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus in the United Kingdom. New Disease Reports. 41:3. https://doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2020.041.003.

La lutte biologique contre les adventices des cultures, est-ce possible? - (Popular Publication)
Sforza, R. 2019. La lutte biologique contre les adventices des cultures, est-ce possible? Réussir Fruits et Légumes - Prosp&ctives. 399(1):66-70.

Proceedings of the XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds - (Proceedings)
Hinz, H., Bon, M., Bourdot, G., Cristofaro, M., Desurmont, G., Kurose, D., Muller-Scharer, H., Rafter, M., Schaffner, U., Seier, M., Sforza, R.F., Smith, L., Stutz, S., Thomas, S., Weyl, P., Winston, R. 2019. Proceedings of the XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Engelberg, Switzerland. 27-31 August 2018, I-XIX, 331 pp..

First laboratory evaluation of Gryon gonikopalense (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as potential biological control agent of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Martel, G., Auge, M., Talamas, E., Roche, M., Smith, L., Sforza, R. 2019. First laboratory evaluation of Gryon gonikopalense (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as potential biological control agent of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Biological Control. 135:48-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.04.014.

Macromorphological variation of the invasive Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) and its relation to climate and altitude in Morocco - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ben Ghabrit, S., Bouhache, M., Birouk, A., Bon, M. 2019. Macromorphological variation of the invasive Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) and its relation to climate and altitude in Morocco. Revue Marocaine des Sciences Agronomiques et Vétérinaires. 7(2), 234-251.

The double life cycle of Lepidapion argentatum, a potential candidate for the biological control of French Broom - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kerdellant, E., Thomann, T., Vitou, J., Sheppard, A., Guisto, C., Simonot, O., Sforza, R. 2019. The double life cycle of Lepidapion argentatum, a potential candidate for the biological control of French Broom. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 10.1080/09583157.2019.1597334.

From genomic analysis of the rapid colonization of the exotic Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan 1773) in the United States to the search of its natural enemies - (Proceedings)

Influence of host plant on wind dispersal by an eriophyid mite, Aceria salsola - (Proceedings)
Smith, L. 2018. Influence of host plant on wind dispersal by an eriophyid mite, Aceria salsola. In: Hinz, H.L., et al. (eds.), XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Engelberg, Switzerland. 27-31 August 2018, p. 135.

Eriophyid mites and weed biological control: does every silver lining have a cloud? - (Proceedings)
Weyl, P., Cristofaro, M., Smith, L., Schaffner, U., Vidovic, B., Petanovic, R., Marini, F., Stutz, S. 2019. Eriophyid mites and weed biological control: does every silver lining have a cloud?. XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Engelberg, Switzerland. 27-31 August 2018, pp. 9-11.

PCR based screening of nematodes and fungi associated with pupae of Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control agent of the giant reed - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bon, M., Guermache, F., De Simone, D., Cristofaro, M., Vacek, A., Goolsby, J. 2018. PCR based screening of nematodes and fungi associated with pupae of Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control agent of the giant reed. Florida Entomologist. 101(3):505-507. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.101.0309.

From genomic analysis of the rapid colonization of the exotic Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan 1773) in the United States to the search of its natural enemies - (Proceedings)
Winkler, D.E., Bon, M., Cristofaro, M., Sforza, R., Marini, F., Auge, M., Kashefi, J., Smith, L. 2019. From genomic analysis of the rapid colonization of the exotic Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan 1773) in the United States to the search of its natural enemies. XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Engelberg, Switzerland. 27-31 August 2018, p. 38.

Implications of a phylogeographic approach for the selection of Ceutorhynchus assimilis as a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lesieur, V., Martin, J., Hinz, H., Fumanal, B., Sobhian, R., Bon, M. 2018. Implications of a phylogeographic approach for the selection of Ceutorhynchus assimilis as a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba. Biological Control. 123(43-52). /doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2018.05.001.

A review of open-field host range testing to evaluate non-target use by herbivorous biological control candidates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schaffner, U., Smith, L., Cristofaro, M. 2018. A review of open-field host range testing to evaluate non-target use by herbivorous biological control candidates. Biocontrol. 3(405-416). doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-9875-7.

The importance of cryptic species and subspecific populations in classic biological control of weeds: a North American perspective - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Smith, L., Cristofaro, M., Bon, M., De Biase, A., Petanovic, R., Vidovic, B. 2018. The importance of cryptic species and subspecific populations in classic biological control of weeds: a North American perspective. Biocontrol. 3(417-425). doi.org/10.1007/s10526-017-9859-z.

Weed biocontrol in the EU: from serendipity to strategy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shaw, R., Ellison, C., Marchante, E., Pratt, C., Schaffner, U., Sforza, R. 2017. Weed biocontrol in the EU: from serendipity to strategy. Biocontrol. 63:333. doi.org/10.1007/s10526-017-9844-6.

Food Webs and Multiple Biotic Interactions in Plant-Herbivore Models - (Book / Chapter)
Corket, E., Giffard, B., Sforza, R. 2017. Food Webs and Multiple Biotic Interactions in Plant-Herbivore Models. Book Chapter. In N. Sauvion, P-A. Calatayud, D. Thiéry (Volume Eds), Advances in Botanical Research series : Vol 81. Insect-Plant Interactions in a Crop Protection Perspective. Elsevier, GBR. p. 111-138.

Quorum-quenching limits quorum-sensing exploitation by signal-negative invaders - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tannieres, M., Lang, J., Barnier, C., Shykoff, J., Faure, D. 2017. Quorum-quenching limits quorum-sensing exploitation by signal-negative invaders. Scientific Reports. 7:40126.

Assessing the biological control of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L): prospective analysis of the impact of the rosette weevil (Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger)) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gutierrez, A., Ponti, L., Cristofaro, M., Smith, L., Pitcairn, M.J. 2016. Assessing the biological control of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L): prospective analysis of the impact of the rosette weevil (Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger)). Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 19: 257–273. doi:10.1111/afe.12205.

Evaluation of UAV imagery for mapping Silybum marianum weed patches - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tamouridou, A., Alexandridis, T., Pantazi, X., Lagopodi, A., Kashefi, J., Moshou, D. 2016. Evaluation of UAV imagery for mapping Silybum marianum weed patches. Journal of Chemical Ecology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2016.1252475.

Phenology and temperature-dependent development of Ceutorhynchus assimilis, a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Von Virag, A., Bon, M., Closca, C., Diaconu, A., Haye, T., Weiss, R., Muller-Scharer, H., Hinz, H. 2016. Phenology and temperature-dependent development of Ceutorhynchus assimilis, a potential biological control agent for Lepidium draba. Journal of Applied Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/jen.12322.

Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite markers in the root-gall-forming weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lesieur, V., Jeanneau, M., Martin, J., Bon, M. 2016. Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite markers in the root-gall-forming weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Applied Entomology and Zoology. DOI: 10.1007/s13355-016-0414-7.

Management of Solanum elaeagnifolium in the Mediterranean Basin - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Uludag, A., Gbehounou, G., Kashefi, J., Bouhache, M., Bon, M., Bell, C., Lagopodi, A.L. 2016. Management of Solanum elaeagnifolium in the Mediterranean Basin. European Plant Protection Organization Bulletin. 46:139-147.

Quorum-quenching : role in nature and applied developments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grandclement, C., Tannieres, M., Morera, S., Dessaux, Y., Faure, D. 2016. Quorum-quenching: role in nature and applied developments. FEMS Microbiology Reviews. 40(1): 86-116. doi:10.1093/femsre/fuv038.

Isolation screening and characterisation of local beneficial rhizobacteria based upon their ability to suppress the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and tomato foot and root rot - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kamou, N., Karassali, E., Menexes, G., Kasiotis, K., Bon, M., Papadakis, M., Tzelepis, G., Lotos, L., Lagopodi, A. 2015. Isolation screening and characterisation of local beneficial rhizobacteria based upon their ability to suppress the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and tomato foot and root rot. Biocontrol Science and Technology. Vol. 25, Nos. 7–8, 928–949.