Shaw RH, Tanner R, Djeddour D & Cortat G (2011). Classical biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom – lessons for Europe. Weed Research51, 552–558.
Summary
The programme for the biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom has provided some valuable insights into the practicalities of delivering a classical biological control programme against a weed in the European Union. In the absence of tailored legislation, the licensing process was complex but not prohibitive. It involved the production of a pest risk analysis (PRA; based on the EPPO template), an application through national legislation (the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act), the production of peer‐reviewed publications, expert committee consideration, further commissioned peer review and public consultations prior to final Ministerial judgement, which was granted in March 2010. Although there is room for some streamlining in the process, this approach has proved to be effective and robust and should be applicable to similar programmes in Europe. This is important, because classical biological control has considerable potential for the management of F. japonica and other weed targets throughout Europe, especially those impacting habitats where chemical use is all but impossible. The lessons learned from the knotweed biocontrol programme are discussed, and current weed biocontrol activities in Europe are briefly summarised. A classical biocontrol programme needs to deliver more than just pure science, because effective communication and negotiations in the public and political arena can provide more challenges than the traditional scientific ones.
Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis is a root-crown mining weevil proposed for release as biological control agent of Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae, Thlaspideae), a European biennial herb, currently invading temperate North America. Using a combination of laboratory, common garden and fieldwork we studied biology, ecology and host range of C. scrobicollis, a univoltine species that oviposits and develops in A. petiolata rosettes in fall and spring. Individual C. scrobicollis can be long-lived ( 2 years) and females show a second oviposition period. Weevils did not attack any of 31 test plant species outside the Brassicaceae. Within the Brassicaceae, five species allowed complete larval development under no-choice conditions. In subsequent choice tests, three of these five species (Nasturtium officinale, Peltaria alliacea and Thlaspi arvense; which are of European origin) were attacked. North American Rorippa sinuata was the only native species to be attacked by C. scrobicollis and only under no-choice conditions. Results of subsequent impact experiments showed that C. scrobicollis attack changed plant architecture but had no effect on overall plant vigour and reproductive output of R. sinuata, suggesting lack of impact on demography or population dynamics. A petition for field release of C. scrobicollis in North America has been submitted.
Dyer's woad, Isatis tinctoria L. (Brassicaceae), has been cultivated since Roman times throughout Europe for the blue indigo dye extracted from its leaves and was introduced by early colonists into North America. Today, it is a declared noxious weed in ten western US states. A literature survey for insects, mites and pathogens associated with dyer's woad revealed several biological control candidates. Three were found in 2004 during preliminary field surveys in Switzerland and Germany: Ceutorhynchus rusticus Gyllenhal and Aulacobaris fallax H. Brisout, both root-mining weevils, and Psylliodes isatidis Heikertinger, a shoot-mining flea beetle. Results of host-specificity tests conducted at CABI Europe-Switzerland are particularly promising for C. rusticus, a very damaging species able to kill overwintering rosettes. Results of additional host-specificity tests with P. isatidis are necessary to decide whether it is worth continuing with this species, while A. fallax is not specialized enough to be further considered. In 2006, additional field surveys were conducted in Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Kazakhstan to find new candidates. Based on the material identified thus far, two species are of interest, a flea beetle preliminarily identified as Psylliodes sophiae var. tricolor Weise and a root-mining weevil preliminarily identified as Aulacobaris near fallax. For both species, rearing colonies were established in Switzerland, and methods for host-specificity tests were developed. A literature survey revealed 62 species to be associated with dyer's woad in Europe. Of the ten species only described from dyer's woad (I. tinctoria) or closely related Isatis species, four are of particular interest, viz. the rootmining weevil Aulacobaris licens Reitter, an as-yet undescribed Lixus sp. and the two seed-feeding weevils Bruchela exigua Motschulsky and Ceutorhynchus peyerimhoffi Hustache. Surveys will be conducted in 2007 to find at least two of these four species, and investigations on already available agents will continue.
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