Biological control of mile-a-minute weed: challenges, accomplishments, and lessons learned

Authors: Lake, Ellen; HOUGH-GOLDSTEIN, JUDITH - University Of Delaware

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross, is an aggressive vine from Asia that was introduced to the United States in the mid-1930s. It is now found in fourteen states, primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and range expansion is ongoing. Mile-a-minute weed is a prolific seed producer that can invade a variety of habitats. It can form dense monocultures and outcompete native species. Mile-a-minute weed can be challenging to control using traditional methods such as herbicide applications, partially due to seed that can remain viable in the seedbank for six years. A biological control program was initiated in 1996 and the host-specific weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was approved for release in 2004. The weevil can reduce growth and seed production by mile-a-minute weed but is more effective at controlling the weed in sunny than shady habitats. Dispersing weevils can locate both large monocultures and small isolated patches of the weed but are unlikely to find mile-a-minute weed growing in forest canopy gaps. Integration of the weevil with other management techniques such as herbicides and native plantings can reduce the abundance of the target weed, promote recruitment of additional native plant species, and prevent dominance by other invasive plants.

Technical Abstract: Mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross, is an aggressive vine of Asian origin that was introduced to the United States in the mid-1930s. It has since been reported in fourteen states, primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast and range expansion is ongoing. Mile-a-minute weed is a prolific seed producer that can invade a variety of habitats where it is capable of forming dense monocultures and outcompeting native species. Mile-a-minute weed can be challenging to control using traditional methods, partially due to seed that can remain viable in the seedbank for six years. A biological control program was initiated in 1996 and the host-specific weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was approved for release in 2004. The weevil can reduce growth and seed production by mile-a-minute weed but has been more effective at controlling the weed in sunny than shady habitats. Dispersing weevils can locate both large monocultures and small isolated patches of mile-a-minute weed but are unlikely to colonize mile-a-minute weed growing in forest canopy gaps. Integration of the weevil with other management techniques such as herbicides and native plantings can reduce the abundance of the target weed, promote recruitment of additional native plant species, and prevent dominance by other invasive plants compared to non-planted control plots.