Weeding around the edges of the science of invasive plant management: biological control agent hybridization, apparent competition, and biotic resistance

Authors: Lake, Ellen; Smith, Melissa; MINTEER, CAREY - University Of Florida; Dray, F Allen; Madeira, Paul; Rayamajhi, Min; TEWKSBURY, LISA - University Of Rhode Island; David, Aaron; Goode, Ashley; Wheeler, Gregory; OVERHOLT, WILLIAM - University Of Florida; RUSSELL, ALANA - University Of Rhode Island; FOLEY, JEREMIAH - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University; CASAGRANDE, R. - University Of Rhode Island; Tipping, Philip

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: Biological control can be a powerful tool for managing invasive weeds. Releases of biological control agents are essentially planned invasions. These releases can provide an opportunity to test ecological theories and conduct research to further the science and practice of biological control. For example, weed biological control agents can acquire parasitoids and predators in their introduced range, which can provide information on the formation of species assemblages and food web interactions. Research on biotic resistance in the Old World climbing fern and waterhyacinth systems has demonstrated that despite the acquisition of parasitoids by weed biological control agents in the introduced range, there is no evidence of apparent competition. Biotic resistance can also occur between insect and weed biological control programs, potentially affecting agent impact. Host range testing indicated that biological control agents of the insect pest Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), lily leaf beetle, would not attack L. cheni, a weed biological control agent for air potato. This work provided insight on host selection in this system and illustrates the benefits of increased communication and collaboration between arthropod and weed biological control practitioners. Additional research on the biology and behavior of two genotypes of L. cheni and their hybrids demonstrated the potential for hybrid vigor and informed release decisions across a broad geographic range.

Technical Abstract: Biological control can be a powerful tool for managing invasive weeds. Releases of biological control agents, essentially planned invasions, can also provide an opportunity to test ecological theories and conduct research to further the science and practice of biological control. For example, the acquisition of parasitoids and predators by weed biological control agents can provide information on the formation of species assemblages and food web interactions. Research on biotic resistance in the Old World climbing fern and waterhyacinth systems has demonstrated that despite the acquisition of parasitoids by weed biological control agents in the introduced range, there is no evidence of apparent competition. Biotic resistance can also occur between arthropod and weed biological control programs, potentially affecting agent impact. Host range testing indicated that biological control agents of the arthropod pest Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), lily leaf beetle, would not attack L. cheni, a weed biological control agent for air potato. This work provided insight on host selection in this system and illustrates the benefits of increased communication and collaboration between arthropod and weed biological control practitioners. Additional research on the biology and behavior of two genotypes of L. cheni and their hybrids demonstrated the potential for hybrid vigor and informed release decisions across a broad geographic range.