Biological control of an alien tree, Acacia cyclops, in South Africa: impact and dispersal of a seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus

Impson, F.A.C.; Moran, V. C.; Hoffmann, J. H.

doi:10.1016/s1049-9644(03)00159-2

Cited by 36 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Eradication, that is the complete removal of any living population and propagule of a given species from a defined area, may be performed through physical, chemical or biological means. Biological control appears to be the most effective, also costwise, method to eradicate invasive plants; for instance, control based on living organisms has proven to significantly reduce the invasive potential of many Australian Acacias (Impson, Moran, & Hoffmann, 2004). However, the long experimentation time and the difficulty in identifying suitable biocontrol agents make such choices not applicable to all the target species, at least taking a short-time perspective (Langeland, Ferrell, Sellers, MacDonald, & Stocker, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle)

Barone

Mantia

Badalamenti

2015

Arboricultural Journal

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(2015) Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), Arboricultural Journal, 37:3,[180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195] To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071375.2015.1112163 Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is regarded as invasive within urban and natural areas worldwide. Efficient methods to control it are significantly needed if we are to limit its well-known environmental and economic impacts. Up to now the use of herbicides has proven necessary since following mechanical damage, Ailanthus vigorously resprouts. However, the seasonal response of Ailanthus stems, treated with herbicides, has never been assessed. We compared the control efficacy recorded in autumn, winter and summer in an abandoned suburban citrus grove in Sicily, under Mediterranean-climate conditions. Glyphosate was injected within drill holes made in knee-high cut trees. Tree mortality and the resprouting ability of treated stems were significantly affected by the application timing and by diameter class of stems. Mortality was significantly lower in winter treatments within the smaller diameter class. Within the larger diameter class, only autumn treatments showed a notably higher mortality rate and a significantly lower growth of sprouts. Hence, autumn interventions are strongly recommended to effectively treat Ailanthus. Mortality was notably higher in the smaller diameter class. Our results confirm the importance of early intervention to control Ailanthus, also showing that the choice of the season is crucial to obtaining satisfactory control of its resprouting ability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle)

Barone

Mantia

Badalamenti

2015

Arboricultural Journal

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“…Cecidomyiidae), introduced in 2001 (Impson et al, 2004). The latter cause the formation of galls instead of seed pods by laying its eggs within the flower, while the former feeds on and consequently destroys the seed inside the pods.…”

Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this reason, only biological control agents that damage the reproductive parts of the tree have been released. These include a seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and a galler midge, Dasineura dielsi Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) (Impson et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk assessment of the Acacia cyclops dieback pathogen, Pseudolagarobasidium acaciicola, as a mycoherbicide in South African strandveld and limestone fynbos

2015

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“…However, because the plant is valued in some contexts, biological control agents were selected that attack plant reproduction, rather than cause death. The introduced seed-feeding weevil Melanterius cf servulus damages up to 90% of the seeds (Impson et al, 2004) but has been slow to increase and disperse. The flower-galling midge Dasineura dielsi more rapidly increased in density and spread (Adair, 2005;Impson et al, 2008), but its impact has been more variable between sites and years.…”

Section: Coastal Areas and Sand Dunesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classical biological control for the protection of natural ecosystems

Carruthers²,

et al. 2010

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Keywords: Invasive species Ecosystem function Insect pests Invasive plants Ecological restoration Biological control Natural ecosystems a b s t r a c tOf the 70 cases of classical biological control for the protection of nature found in our review, there were fewer projects against insect targets (21) than against invasive plants (49), in part, because many insect biological control projects were carried out against agricultural pests, while nearly all projects against plants targeted invasive plants in natural ecosystems. Of 21 insect projects, 81% (17) provided benefits to protection of biodiversity, while 48% (10) protected products harvested from natural systems, and 5% (1) preserved ecosystem services, with many projects contributing to more than one goal. In contrast, of the 49 projects against invasive plants, 98% (48) provided benefits to protection of biodiversity, while 47% (23) protected products, and 25% (12) preserved ecosystem services, again with many projects contributing to several goals. We classified projects into complete control (pest generally no longer important), partial control (control in some areas but not others), and ''in progress," for projects in development for which outcomes do not yet exist. For insects, of the 21 projects discussed, 62% (13) achieved complete control of the target pest, 19% (4) provided partial control, and 43% (9) are still in progress. By comparison, of the 49 invasive plant projects considered, 27% (13) achieved complete control, while 33% (16) provided partial control, and 49% (24) are still in progress. For both categories of pests, some projects' success ratings were scored twice when results varied by region. We found approximately twice as many projects directed against invasive plants than insects and that protection of biodiversity was the most frequent benefit of both insect and plant projects. Ecosystem service protection was provided in the fewest cases by either insect or plant biological control agents, but was more likely to be provided by projects directed against invasive plants, likely because of the strong effects plants exert on landscapes. Rates of complete success appeared to be higher for insect than plant targets (62% vs 27%), perhaps because most often herbivores gradually weaken, rather than outright kill, their hosts, which is not the case for natural enemies directed against pest insects. For both insect and plant biological control, nearly half of all projects reviewed were listed as currently in progress, suggesting that the use of biological control for the protection of wildlands is currently very active.

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Biological control of an alien tree, Acacia cyclops, in South Africa: impact and dispersal of a seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus

Cited by 36 publications

References 9 publications

Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle)

Seasonal effects on mortality rates and resprouting of stems treated with glyphosate in the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle)

Risk assessment of the Acacia cyclops dieback pathogen, Pseudolagarobasidium acaciicola, as a mycoherbicide in South African strandveld and limestone fynbos

Classical biological control for the protection of natural ecosystems

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