Potential Biological Control Agents for Management of Cogongrass (Cyperales: Poaceae) in the Southeastern USA

Abstract

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Biology and rearing of the cogongrass gall midge,Orseolia javanicaKieffer & Docters van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

“…In order to delineate the physiological host range of candidate biological control agents and conduct impact studies, effective rearing methods are required. Our study provides basic biological information and describes a rearing method for O. javanica , a potential biological control agent of cogongrass in the southeastern USA (Overholt et al 2016).…”

“…The native range of cogongrass is vast and thought to include Africa, southern Europe, Asia and northern Australia (Hubbard et al 1944), while populations in the southeastern USA are exotic and highly invasive (Burrell et al 2015). There has been some speculation that the center of origin of cogongrass is East Africa because of the high diversity of plant pathogens (Ivens 1983), lack of weediness and high genetic diversity (Overholt et al 2016). Cogongrass spreads rapidly by seeds and rhizomes, often forming monospecific stands that exclude other vegetation, resulting in both ecological and economic damage (Brook 1989; McDonald 1996).…”

“…In 2013, the University of Florida initiated exploration for natural enemies of cogongrass in several countries in Africa and Asia with the objective of identifying insects that may have value for introduction into the USA as biological control agents (Overholt et al 2016). One of the insects encountered during surveys in Indonesia was Orseolia javanica Kieffer & Docters van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).…”

“…Early instar larvae of O. javanica colonize young cogongrass shoots which stimulates the formation of elongate, purplish stem galls, tapered to a point at the apical end (Mangoendihardjo 1980). Based on field observations, the gall midge can be highly damaging and may have potential for biological control for cogongrass in the southeastern USA and elsewhere (Overholt et al 2016).…”

Beyond Turf and Lawn: Poaceae in This Age of Climate Change

“…As a food, the rhizomes are used to make beer in Malaysia, and in Australia and China the rhizomes are chewed to extract a sweet juice [50]. Throughout Asia, the rhizome has been used in traditional medicine to treat a vast array of ailments, is antibacterial and a diuretic [140]. Recent research indicates that components of cogongrass show promise in the treatment of colorectal cancer [141], and other research has identiied root components such as alkaloids and lavonoids [142], and isolated the secondary metabolites [143].…”