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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379904
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 and bottom-up effects

Author
item David, Aaron
item Carmona, Andrea
item Lake, Ellen

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2020
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, and the role of nutrients and inundation in determining agent establishment.

Technical Abstract: Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is a noxious invasive vine that has established in a suite of habitats throughout Florida. The plant forms dense mats that smother native vegetation, alter fire behavior, and can climb into the tree canopy, killing mature trees. To help manage L. microphyllum infestations, two biological control agents have been released and are established in Florida: 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, and (2) determining the role of bottom-up effects such as nutrient availability and inundation affect agent establishment. A 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. Overall, the establishment of the two biological control agents is encouraging and supports their continued use as an important component of L. microphyllum management.