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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294239
Title: Successful biological control of Melaleuca quinquenervia

Author
item Pratt, Paul
item Rayamajhi, Min
item Tipping, Philip
item CENTER, TED - Retired ARS Employee
item Wright, Susan
item PURCELL, MATTHEW - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Melaleuca quinquenervia is native to north-eastern Australia, parts of New Guinea, and New Caledonia. It has been present in south Florida since the late ninteenth century (Dray et al. 2006) and dispersal was assisted by nurserymen who are believed to have deliberately spread seeds into natural areas as a means of propagation. Altered hydrology from flood control and drainage projects during the 1950s undoubtedly contributed to its invasion. Stand coverage proceeds exponentially after initial colonization of suitable habitat (Laroche and Ferriter 1992) so by the late 1990s, it infested about 200,000 ha and the Everglades was at risk of being totally overwhelmed (Laroche 1998). To impede the reinvasion of cleared areas and to slow the rate of spread to new areas, a biological control program was designed with a primary goal of inhibiting stand regeneration. The biological control program, therefore, required herbivores that could prevent seed production or increase mortality of seedlings and saplings. Three biological control agents have been established against the exotic tree in Florida: the weevil Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe, the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore, and the gall midge Lophodiplosis trifida Gagné. Overall, this biological control program has provided a sustainable pathway to both the restoration and ultimate conservation of a unique ecosystem. By suppressing M. quinquenervia at both the individual and population levels, habitat disturbances (fire intensity/frequency and soil accretion) can be mitigated as lands are reclaimed by native species. Although full implementation of the restoration plan will take decades to be realized, it is clear that biological control has already played an important role in the conservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades.

Technical Abstract: Melaleuca quinquenervia is native to north-eastern Australia, parts of New Guinea, and New Caledonia. It has been present in south Florida since the late ninteenth century (Dray et al. 2006) and dispersal was assisted by nurserymen who are believed to have deliberately spread seeds into natural areas as a means of propagation. Altered hydrology from flood control and drainage projects during the 1950s undoubtedly contributed to its invasion. Stand coverage proceeds exponentially after initial colonization of suitable habitat (Laroche and Ferriter 1992) so by the late 1990s, it infested about 200,000 ha and the Everglades was at risk of being totally overwhelmed (Laroche 1998). To impede the reinvasion of cleared areas and to slow the rate of spread to new areas, a biological control program was designed with a primary goal of inhibiting stand regeneration. The biological control program, therefore, required herbivores that could prevent seed production or increase mortality of seedlings and saplings. Three biological control agents have been established against the exotic tree in Florida: the weevil Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe, the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore, and the gall midge Lophodiplosis trifida Gagné. Overall, this biological control program has provided a sustainable pathway to both the restoration and ultimate conservation of a unique ecosystem. By suppressing M. quinquenervia at both the individual and population levels, habitat disturbances (fire intensity/frequency and soil accretion) can be mitigated as lands are reclaimed by native species. Although full implementation of the restoration plan will take decades to be realized, it is clear that biological control has already played an important role in the conservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades.