The <scp>EFSA</scp> assessment of <i><scp>T</scp>richilogaster acaciaelongifoliae</i> as biocontrol agent of the invasive alien plant <i><scp>A</scp>cacia longifolia</i>: a new area of activity for the <scp>EFSA P</scp>lant <scp>H</scp>ealth <scp>P</scp>anel?

Jeger, Michael; Pautasso, Marco; Stancanelli, Giuseppe; Vos, Sybren

doi:10.1111/epp.12306

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In Portugal, T. acaciaelongifoliae was recently introduced and tested on A. longifolia under controlled conditions with positive results (Marchante et al 2011c). Subsequently, the European Commission (EC), after approval by the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (EFSA 2015;Jeger et al 2016), authorised field tests that were conducted in late 2015 (Shaw et al 2016). First reports indicated that T. acaciaelongifoliae successfully completed its life cycle in Portugal although the number of detected galls is currently low (Marchante et al 2017).…”

Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Souza‐Alonso

Rodríguez

González

et al. 2017

Annals of Forest Science

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Key message The above-and belowground impacts due to Acacia invasions have been described in detail over the last 25 years. Future research should focus on the early detection and prevention of new Acacia introductions and on a cost-effective and sustainable management of the novel ecosystems resulting from invasions.• Context Invasive alien plants (IAPs) strongly alter ecosystems reducing biodiversity, modifying ecosystem services and increasing negative impacts at social and economic level. Among invasive taxa, Acacia is a highly problematic genus worldwide. In fact, almost 500 papers have been published on several aspects of Acacia invasions for the last 25 years.• Aims We aim at reviewing the current knowledge on the consequences of the invasion by Acacia genus in Mediterranean ecosystems. We also collect and propose different approaches for the management and recovery of invaded areas and suggest future perspectives on Acacia research. • Methods We compile, summarise and discuss recent findings on physicochemical, ecological, microbiological and socioeconomic aspects of invasion related to Australian acacias (Acacia dealbata, Acacia longifolia, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia melanoxylon) focusing on Mediterranean areas.• Results Acacia invasion generally entails soil physicochemical alterations and changes in microbial function and structure. Consequences such as the decreased biodiversity, altered ecosystem structure, larger seed banks dominated by invasive species, new biotrophic relationships or alterations in water availability and fire regimes suggest that acacias are locally creating novel ecosystems.• Conclusions Forecasting invasions, modelling and managing ecosystems dominated by acacias are challenging tasks that should be addressed in the future, since climatic conditions and intensification in land uses are increasing the likelihood of Acacia invasions in Mediterranean areas. Unsuccessful management actions suggest that restoration should be meticulously monitored, but the magnitude of invasion or the inconsistency of economic investment indicate that eradication is often unfeasible. Alternatively, novel integrative and cost-effective solutions including the collaboration of society, politicians and stakeholders are necessary to prevent new introductions and achieve sustainable control of acacias. There is a growing interest in applied research on the valorisation or novel uses for acacias and their residues that result in economic benefits.

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Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Souza‐Alonso

Rodríguez

González

et al. 2017

Annals of Forest Science

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“…For the first time, an application was recently referred for an Opinion to the Plant Health Panel of the EFSA. Their report of how this application was assessed offers a possible model for such applications in the future (Jeger et al ., , this issue pages 270–274). The Workshop also considered difficulties created when an accidental introduction or unauthorized release of a potential BCA occurs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conclusions from the workshop on evaluation and regulation of biological control agents

Ward

2016

EPPO Bulletin

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This paper reports on the Workshop on Evaluation and Regulation of Biological Control Agents (BCAs) held in Budapest on the 23–24 November 2015. Conclusions and recommendations are summarized and explained, and some of the ways in which the recommendations are being taken forward by the joint EPPO IOBC Panel on Biological Control are described. The key conclusions are that properly authorized releases of BCAs are beneficial for crop protection and the environment, with little evidence of adverse effects. Different countries apply different types of regulation in different ways to determine whether such releases can be authorized. A more harmonized approach could increase opportunities for use of biological control and ensure that potential risks are addressed in a more coherent and consistent way.

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“…With these results, an application to release the agent in the wild in Portugal was submitted in 2011. Following submission, a lengthy process ensued: Portuguese authorities informed the European Commission/ Standing Committee on Plant Health about the proposal and a decision was made to send it to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for pest risk assessment (Jeger et al, 2016). Technical advice was received from EFSA in March 2015 and sent back to the Standing Committee on Plant Health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First report of the establishment of the biocontrol agent Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for control of invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal

et al. 2017

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Acacia longifolia is one of the most widespread invasive plants in coastal areas of Portugal, where it disrupts the composition and function of natural plant and insect communities as well as microorganisms in the soil. The Australian bud‐galling wasp, Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae, induces a reduction in seed production of A. longifolia and has been successfully used as a biological control agent in South Africa for more than 30 years. After a long period of host specificity testing and risk assessment, release permits were issued by national and European Union authorities and, in late 2015, T. acaciaelongifoliae was released into eight selected sites along the Portuguese coast. During April–July 2016, post‐release monitoring detected 56 galls at four of the release sites. At two of the sites second‐generation galls were noted in January 2017, but it is still too soon to measure their abundance. Despite the inherent difficulties associated with transferring the insects between hemispheres, T. acaciaelongifoliae successfully completed its life cycle in Portugal in the wild, and is seemingly starting to proliferate. Further releases were made in late 2016 and monitoring of the insects will continue.

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The EFSA assessment of Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae as biocontrol agent of the invasive alien plant Acacia longifolia: a new area of activity for the EFSA Plant Health Panel?

Cited by 3 publications

References 18 publications

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Here to stay. Recent advances and perspectives about Acacia invasion in Mediterranean areas

Conclusions from the workshop on evaluation and regulation of biological control agents

First report of the establishment of the biocontrol agent Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for control of invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal

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