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Submitted to: International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2014 Publication Date: 1/1/2013 Citation: Wheeler, G.S. 2013. New prospects for biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius. International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 50. Interpretive Summary: Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an invasive weed from South America that has been spread to many countries. It was introduced into the USA about 100 years ago as an ornamental. Escaping cultivation, it now occurs in three south-eastern states of the USA, California, and Hawai’i. This species constitutes one of the most invasive weeds threatening agriculture and the natural areas of the region. Efforts to manage these weed populations with biological controls began in Hawai’i in the 1950s and resulted in the release of three insect species. However, the agents have had minimal impact and the weed continues to be a difficult problem. More recent surveys and testing have revealed numerous new species of potential biological control agents. These insects attack different plant tissues including leaf feeders, sap suckers, stem borers, and leaf and stem gall formers. Despite difficulty finding an agent that will be safe for field release in Florida, USA, we have narrowed the field to a thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini. Results of no-choice and choice experiments conducted in Brazil and in quarantine indicate that this thrips species will safely contribute to the control of this invasive weed. The agent may also be useful in other infested areas such as Hawaii, USA, Australia and South Africa. Technical Abstract: Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an invasive weed from South America that has been spread to many countries. It was introduced into the USA about 100 years ago as an ornamental. Escaping cultivation, it now occurs in three south-eastern states of the USA, California, and Hawai’i. This species constitutes one of the most invasive weeds threatening agriculture and the natural areas of the region. Efforts to manage S. terebinthifolius populations with biological controls began in Hawai’i in the 1950s and resulted in the release of three insect species. However, the agents have had minimal impact and the weed continues to be a difficult problem. More recent surveys and testing have revealed numerous new species of potential biological control agents. These species attack different plant tissues including defoliators, sap suckers, stem borers, and leaf and stem gall formers. Despite difficulty finding an agent sufficiently specific for field release in Florida, USA, we have narrowed the field to a thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini. Results of no-choice and choice trials conducted overseas and in quarantine indicate that this thrips species will safely contribute to the control of this invasive weed. The agent may also be useful in other infested areas such as Hawaii, USA, Australia and South Africa. |
