Salvinia spp. (Giant salvinia) Giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta D. Mitch. (Salviniaceae), is an aquatic fern that is invasive in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The aquatic weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an effective natural enemy of Salvinia. Giant salvinia is invading more temperate areas with harsher winters in the US,...
Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian peppertree) Brazilian peppertree (BP), Schinus terebinthifolius, native to South America, is an invasive weed in the USA, Australia and South Africa. The main objective of the project is to search for natural enemies of BP in South America and evaluate their potential as biocontrol agents...
Saltcedar, Tamarix spp. is native to Eurasia and Africa. In Argentina, saltcedars affect the social and economic value of both highly productive land and subsistence agriculture areas. They also threaten biodiversity and conservation in dry ecosystems, including national parks and several protected areas. The taxonomic isolation of Tamarix spp. in...
Jatropha gossypiifolia (Bellyache Bush) Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) has become a major and expanding weed of rangelands and riparian zones in Australia. In February 2018, an agreement was signed with DAFF (Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) to test two species of gall midges (Prodiplosis spp.) (Cecidomyiidae) as...
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (Floating pennywort) Floating pennywort is an aquatic plant native to the Americas. It was introduced in Europe in the 1980s, and is currently invasive in several countries. FuEDEI researchers identified several natural enemies, among which the weevil Listronotus elongatus was considered the most promising potential biocontrol agent. The...
Chromolaena odorata (Chromolaena) Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae), a herbaceous plant native to the Neotropical Region, has become a widespread weed in South Africa and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The stem borer Recchia parvula (Lane) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a host-specific biocontrol agent for C....
Cambomba caroliniana (Water Fanwort) Cabomba caroliniana, is a submerged plant native in Argentina. It has become an invasive weed in Australia. The weevil Hydrotimetes natans has been exported to quarantine facilities in Brisbane to continue with the specificity tests. Our objective is to improve mass rearing techniques, and...