Professional Documents
Culture Documents
weeds
Marvin T. Simborio
Presenter
BEFORE AFTER
Biological control of weeds
• Ex.: Purple loosestrife
– Valued wildflower native
Eurasian habitats
– Existing in small stands &
as isolated
plants controlled by a
complex of natural
enemies
– It was introduced to North America in the late 19th
century where it now exists in huge, monotypic stands,
choking waterways and crowding out native North
American species.
– Traditional methods of weed control, such as cultivation
& the use of herbicides, are not practical or desirable for
such wide-ranging stands of weeds, and biological
Biological control of weeds
• Started in Canada in 1952
– Release of the defoliating beetles Chrysolina
quadrigemina & C. hyperici to control St. John's
wort
• Another examples of successful classical
biological control of introduced weeds in North
America:
– Nodding thistle (Canada; Kansas)
– Ragwort (BC, California & Oregon)
– Klamath weed (Ontario, California, Oregon &
Washington)
Biological control of weeds
Estimated 50 - 75% of problem weeds were either accidental or
intentional introductions from other areas
Biological control of weeds
• Considerations for species for introduction to control
pest weeds
– Specific to one plant species
– Has negative impact on host plant
individuals & its population
– Is prolific
– Thrives and becomes widespread in all habitats & climates that
the pest weed occupies
– Is good colonizer
– Less overall expense compared to other control tactics
– Does not require a high level of technology
– Less disruptive ecologically & so natural biodiversity is
maintained
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– Cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorumorigins origin
to South America
– Prefers to lay its eggs & feed on prickly pear cacti,
Opuntia sp. (also known as Platyopuntia)
– Other related cacti are not thought to be
preferred hosts
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
a)Before sunrise, female releases sex
pheromone signaling to males her
readiness to mate; males respond
b) Mating takes place
c)After incubation, female deposits egg
stick averaging 70-90 eggs
d)Eggs hatch in 25-30 day; gregarious 1st
instar larvae bore into cactus pad
e)External damage is characterized by
yellowing of plant tissues, with oozing of
plant fluids & insect frass
f) Larvae feed on inside tissues
g) Larvae develop internally
h) Feeding results in hollowing out cactus
pad; mature larvae exit cactus pad
i) Larvae form cocoons
j) Pupation is taken place under debris on
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– in the 1920’s, prickly pear cactus spread widely
Queensland, Australia after accidental introduction
– Cactus moth introduced from its origin to Australia to
control prickly pear cactus
– Achieved control in 18 months; considered the
most effective biological control agent tested
B
A
E
F
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Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– The success C. cactorum in Australia influenced its
use in other parts of the world
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
B
A
E
F
F
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