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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379902
Research Project: Development and Implementation of Biological Control Programs for Natural Area Weeds in the Southeastern United States

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: Establishment of Lygodium microphyllum biological control agents: Population dynamics, bottom-up effects, and integrated weed management

Author
item David, Aaron
item Carmona, Andrea
item ABDEL-KADER, ANWAR - Former ARS Employee
item ENLOE, STEPHEN - University Of Florida
item GLUECKERT, JONATHAN - University Of Florida
item Lake, Ellen

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/19/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is one of the most noxious invasive plants in Florida. The vine forms dense mats that smother native vegetation, alter fire behavior, and can climb into the tree canopy, killing mature trees. Currently, the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory rears and releases two biological control agents to help manage L. microphyllum infestations, the moth Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the mite Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae). In this talk, I discuss our monitoring efforts of these two agents in the field, the role of nutrients and inundation in determining agent establishment, and the ability of agents to colonize regrowth following herbicide or fire treatment.

Technical Abstract: Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is one of the most noxious invasive plants in Florida. The vine forms dense mats that smother native vegetation, alter fire behavior, and can climb into the tree canopy, killing mature trees. Currently, the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory rears and releases two biological control agents to help manage L. microphyllum infestations, the moth Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the mite Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae). Our recent research has focused on agent establishment, in particular (1) monitoring the population dynamics of the agents in the field, (2) determining the role of bottom-up effects such as nutrient availability and inundation affect agent establishment, and (3) utilizing biological control as part of an integrated weed management plan. Our 2-year monitoring study shows that N. conspurcatalis population dynamics vary widely by site, while F. perrepae dynamics are relatively synchronized across sites. Furthermore, establishment of the F. perrepae mite improves when the L. microphyllum is healthy, as high fertilization and low inundation tend to promote mite establishment. Finally, in post-herbicide surveys of tree islands, F. perrepae established more readily on herbicide treated islands compared to control islands. Overall, the establishment of the two biological control agents is encouraging and supports their continued use as an important component of L. microphyllum management.