2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Exotic aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial plants invade agricultural and natural ecosystems in Florida and throughout the United States. These weeds impede agricultural drainage and irrigation activities, interfere with flood control efforts, infest pastures and crop lands, and displace the native flora and fauna in natural areas. We are developing and implementing biological control agents that damage these plant invaders, thereby inhibiting reproduction, slowing plant growth, reducing population sizes, and lessening negative impacts in agricultural lands and natural areas, including those comprising the Everglades. Melaleuca currently infests about 400,000 acres of Florida’s Everglades and invades bordering pasture lands. Lygodium occurs on over 100,000 acres, a fivefold increase in just over 5 years, and threatens to become the “Kudzu of the South”. Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) infests thousands of acres of pastures and natural prairies in Florida and has spread into much of the southeastern U.S. Brazilian peppertree (Shinus terebinthifolius) infests over 1 million acres in Florida and Hawaii. The submersed weeds Hydrilla verticillata and Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) occur in over 40 states and infest several hundred thousand acres of waterways. Waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) infests tens of thousands of acres in the Gulf Coast states. Invaders like Melaleuca quinquenervia and Lygodium microphyllum pose significant impediments to congressionally mandated efforts to restore Florida’s Everglades, and are so damaging that they helped prompt Presidential Executive Order 13112 directing all federal agencies to make invasive species a national priority. Efforts to control these and other invasive plant species cost tens of millions of dollars annually in Florida, and hundreds of millions of dollars nationally. In addition, species like Melaleuca and Lygodium threaten the biodiversity of Florida’s Everglades which, because it is so unique, has been designated a World Heritage ecosystem, a Ramsar Wetland, and an International Biosphere Reserve. The weed biological control agents that we develop offer persistent, cost-effective, long-term solutions to farmers whose croplands or rangelands have been invaded, and to land managers responsible for federal, state, and local parks, natural areas, wildlife refuges, and recreational areas. Biological control research also produces valuable insights for ecologists, environmental biologists, entomologists, botanists, and other scientists in regards to basic plant and animal biology, plant and insect genetics, invasion ecology, insect-plant interactions, population and community ecology, and conservation biology. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) The following milestones are extracted from our Project Plan (Oct2004-Sep2009) for this CRIS: FY2005 1. Occupy the new Quarantine facility and prepare it for quarantine host testing trials. 2. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). 3. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of Brazillan peppertree (Schinus terebinthefolius). 4. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of Australian pine trees (Casuarina spp.). 5. Identify native pathogens of Lygodium microphyllum. 6. Establish experiments comparing ecology of Melaleuca quinquenervia between Australia and Florida. 7. Complete evaluation of geographical distribution of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Puerto Rico. 8. Receive report from cooperators detailing baseline data on extent and abundance of Lygodium microphyllum in southern Florida. 9. Submit application to APHIS to import the rust Uredo eichhorniae into quarantine for host range studies. 10. Receive colonies of Floracarus sp. from Australia for initiating releases on Lygodium microphyllum in Florida. 11. Determine volatile chemistry of non-target plants used in testing potential biological control agents against Melaleuca quinquenervia, Schinus terebinthefolius, and Casuarina spp. 12. Determine relevant behavioral cues of potential agents for Melaleuca quinquenervia, Schinus terebinthefolius, and Casuarina spp. 13. Initiate releases of Fergusonina turneri on Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida. 14. Initiate releases of Austromusotima camptozonale, Neomusotima conspurcatalis, Neostrombocerus spp., or Floracarus sp. on Lygodium microphyllum in Florida. 15. Initiate studies evaluating the efficacy of agents released to control Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum, Eichhornia crassipes, and Paederia foetida. 16. Initiate studies on the non-target effects of released biocontrol agents for Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum, and Eichhornia crassipes. 17. Provide to end-users and cooperating agencies information on rearing and use of biological control agents and their integration with existing control technologies. FY2006 1. Gather data on the geographic distribution of the introduced biological control agents Oxyops vitiosa and Boreioglycaspis melaleucae. 2. Gather data on the influence of chemotype on herbivore recruitment, herbivore impact, the influence of water availability on growth and development of the Melaleuca tree, as well as the interaction of these parameters in a controlled study at the IPRL study plot. 3. Initiate an experiment to determine how the number of founding individuals and release methodologies influences establishment establishment of Fergusonina turneri (+ Fergusobia quinquenerviae). 4. Conduct a ceremonial release of Fergusonina turneri (+ Fergusobia quinquenerviae) for end users. 5. Initiate surveys in Asia for fungal diseases of skunk vine (Paederia foetida). 6. Conduct releases of Austromusotima camptozonale on Lygodium microphyllum in south Florida. 7. Conduct initial release of Floracarus perrepae on Lygodium microphyllum in south Florida. 8. Import natural enemies of lobate lac scale into U.S. quarantine. 9. Initiate study of lobate lac scale impact on native and economic plant species. 10. Request permit for importation of skunk vine insects into U.S. quarantine. 11. Determine taxonomic relationships for Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthefolius). 12. Determine taxonomic relationships for Australian pine trees (Casuarina spp.). 13. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of Brazillan peppertree (Schinus terebinthefolius). 14. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of Australian pine trees (Casuarina spp.). 15. Initiate host range studies with a psyllid from Schinus terebinthefolius. 16. Initiate host range studies with an eriophyid mite from Schinus terebinthefolius. 17. Determine volatile chemistry of Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 18. Determine volatile chemistry of non-target plants used in testing potential biological control agents against Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 19. Initiate quarantine host range studies on Megamelus scutellaris from Eichhornia crassipes. 20. Evaluate risk of Eccritotarsus caterinensis from Eichhornia crassipes to native Pontederiaceae. 21. Initiate studies evaluating the efficacy of Spodoptera pectinicornis released to control Pistia stratiotes. 22. Initiate studies on the non-target effects of released biocontrol agents for Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum, and Eichhornia crassipes. FY2007 1. Initiate an experiment on the realized host range of Fergusonina turneri (+ Fergusobia quinquenerviae) in an experimental planting of closely related native and horticulturally important plants. 2. Conduct initial release of Neomusotima conspurcatalis on Lygodium microphyllum in south Florida. 3. Establish field colonies of Floracarus perrepae on Lygodium microphyllum in south Florida. 4. Complete study of Melaleuca seed rain dynamics in south Florida. 5. Complete study of impacts of fungus Puccinia psidii on carbohydrate storage in stem and root systems of Melaleuca. 6. Complete host specificity studies with Lygodium sawfly. 7. Initiate host range studies with a psyllid from Schinus terebinthefolius. 8. Initiate host range studies with an eriophyid mite from Schinus terebinthefolius. 9. Determine volatile chemistry of Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 10. Determine volatile chemistry of non-target plants used in testing potential biological control agents against Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 11. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). 12. Initiate quarantine host range studies on Thrypticus truncatus from Eichhornia crassipes. 13. Evaluate risk of Eccritotarsus caterinensis from Eichhornia crassipes to native Pontederiaceae. 14. Initiate releases of Eccritotarsus caterinensis, Thrypticus truncates, or Megamelus scutellaris on Eichhornia crassipes in Florida. 15. Initiate studies on the non-target effects of released biocontrol agents for Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum, and Eichhornia crassipes. FY2008 1. Release Lophodiplopsis trifida from quarantine confinement to Melaleuca-dominated regions of south Florida. 2. Initiate studies of the impacts of Floracarus perrepae on Lygodium microphyllum in south Florida. 3. Complete decade-long study on literfall in Melaleuca quinquenervia forests in south Florida. 4. Complete study on native species recruitment into biological control agent impacted Melaleuca forests in south Florida. 5. Complete study of impact of fungus Puccinia psidii on Melaleuca stem regrowth. 6. Initiate host range studies with a psyllid from Schinus terebinthefolius. 7. Initiate host range studies with an eriophyid mite from Schinus terebinthefolius. 8. Determine volatile chemistry of Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 9. Determine volatile chemistry of non-target plants used in testing potential biological control agents against Schinus terebinthefolius and Casuarina spp. 10. Initiate releases of Eccritotarsus caterinensis, Thrypticus truncates, or Megamelus scutellaris on Eichhornia crassipes in Florida. 11. Initiate studies on the non-target effects of released biocontrol agents for Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum, and Eichhornia crassipes. FY2009 1. Determine the geographic origins of skunk vine (Paederia foetida). 2. Determine taxonomic relationships for skunk vine (Paederia foetida). 3. Determine taxonomic relationships for Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum). 4. Determine taxonomic relationships for Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthefolius). 5. Determine taxonomic relationships for Australian pine trees (Casuarina spp.). 6. Compile a list of natural enemies from within the native range of Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum). 7. Submit petition for TAG review defining the host range of Lophodiplopsis trifida from Melaleuca quinquenervia. 8. Develop methods for rearing Beesonia ferrugineus from Melaleuca quinquenervia in sufficient numbers to support host range testing. 9. Develop methods for rearing Haplonyx sp. from Melaleuca quinquenervia in sufficient numbers to support host range testing. 10. Initiate host range studies with Poliopachia sp. from Melaleuca quinquenervia. 11. Submit petition for TAG review defining the host range of Neomusotima conspurcatalis from Lygodium microphyllum. 12. Complete manuscript describing pollination ecology of Paederia foetida. 13. Determine the host range of Neostrombocerus spp. from Lygodium microphyllum. 14. Determine the host range of Ambia spp. from Lygodium microphyllum. 15. Publish paper describing the host range of Puccinia lygodii from Lygodium microphyllum. 16. Determine the host range of Uredo eichhorniae from Eichhornia crassipes. 17. Determine the host range of Trachyaphthona sordida from Paederia foetida. 18. Determine the host range of Spenorala rutilans from Paederia foetida. 19. Determine the host range of leaf-feeding weevils from Casuarina equisetifolia. 20. Determine the host range of the cone-feeding weevil from Casuarina equisetifolia. 21. Initiate releases of Beesonia ferrugineus on Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida. 22. Initiate releases of Spodoptera pectinicornis on Pistia stratiotes in Florida. 23. Initiate releases of Trachyaphthona sordida and Spenorala rutilans on Paederia foetida in Florida. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Invasion of wetland plant communities by the Old World climbing fern Lygodium microphyllum complicates restoration of the Florida Everglades by compelling vegetation management in conjunction with re-establishment of hydrological regimes. Biological control was included in a comprehensive Lygodium management plan (crafted by scientists and natural resource managers with the Agricultural Research Service, the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and many south Florida county governments) as the principle management tool for attacking this weed. Several generations of the Australian moth Austromusotima camptozonale, first released during February 2005, have successfully reproduced at Jonathan Dickenson State Park and other sites in southeastern Florida. Defoliation of the fern by this insect will allow recovery of affected tree islands and other critical Everglades habitats. 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. None 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. None 4d.Progress report. The following progress was made during FY2006: •Initiated host range studies on the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris from Eichhornia crassipes. •Initiated host range studies on the beetle Liliocerus spp. from Dioscorea bulbifera. •Initiated host range studies on the beetle Sphenoraia rutilans on Paederia foetida (skunk vine) and P. crudassiana (sewer vine). •Initiated host acceptance studies with parasitoids from India on lobate lac scale from Florida. •Petitioned APHIS for permission to release the moth Neomusotima conspurcatalis on Lygodium microphyllum in Florida. •Documented tentative establishment of the moth Austromusotima camptozonale at release sites in southern Florida. •Determined that the geographic distribution of the introduced biological control agents Oxyops vitiosa and Boreioglycaspis melaleucae encompassed >95% of target weed’s range in Florida. •Demonstrated that feeding by the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae increases leaf abortion by nearly 5 times over that of undamaged leaves. •Successfully colonized Haplonyx sp. under quarantine conditions. •Developed an allometric model for the invasive tree Acacia auriculiformis describing the relationship between tree diameter at base and various components of plant biomass. •Quantified the geographic range expansion of Borieoglycaspis melaleucae to Puerto Rico. •Characterized the invasion of Melaleuca quinquenervia in the northern Bahamas. •Documented that the introduced weevil Oxyops vitiosa can serve as a vector for the native rust fungus Puccinia psidii on the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia. •Obtained APHIS permission to import the rust gall fungus Endophyllum paedereae to test as a potential biocontrol agent of Paederia foetida (skunk vine). •Discovered two potential biocontrol agents, a weevil Omolabus piceus and a caterpillar Tecmessa elegans, feeding on Brazilian peppertree in South America. •Discovered a Chrysomelid beetle of the subfamily Donaciinae feeding on hydrilla in China and initiated studies of its potential as a biocontrol agent for this aquatic weed. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. Clients affected by this project include the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes, and many south Florida county governments. In addition, research outcomes are of interest to natural resource managers and scientists with interest in weed biology and control. All milestones and accomplishments relate to National Program 304, Component IX-Biological Control of Weeds; ARS Strategic Plan Goals 3 and 5. Invasive species constitute serious threats to the integrity of natural and agricultural ecosystems. The following progress at reducing the threats posed by several important invasive species in Florida has been made during the life of this CRIS: •Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca): APHIS approval was obtained to release the bud-gall fly Fergusonina turneri in Florida; host range studies have been initiated with two additional potential biocontrol agents, the stem-gall fly Lophodiplosis trifida and the flower-feeding weevil Haplonyx spp.; interactions between introduced insects and native fungi were elucidated; distributions and impacts of the weevil Oxyops vitiosa and the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae were further quantified; the extent of the melaleuca invasions in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas were characterized; and documented that the introduced weevil Oxyops vitiosa can serve as a vector for the native rust fungus Puccinia psidii. •Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern): conducted releases of the caterpillar Austromusotima camptozonale and documented its reproduction at field release sites; obtained TAG recommendations to APHIS that the caterpillar Neomusotima conspurcatalis and the gall mite Floracarus perrepae be approved for release in Florida. •Dioscorea bulbifera (air potato): host range studies began on the leaf-feeding beetle Liliocerus spp. •Paederia foetida (skunk vine): host range studies began on the leaf-feeding beetle Sphenoraia rutilans; and obtained APHIS permission to import the rust gall fungus Endophyllum paedereae to test as a potential biocontrol agent. •Salvinia molesta (giant salvinia): documented ability of weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae to control this weed in Texas. •Eichhornia crassipes (waterhyacinth): documented the relationship between plant nitrogen content and the population growth of both species of waterhyacinth weevil, and initiated host range studies on the planthopper Megamelus scutellaris. •Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla): discovered a Chrysomelid beetle (subfamily Donaciinae) feeding on this weed in China, and initiated studies of its potential as a biocontrol agent for this aquatic weed. •Schinus terebinthefolius (Brazilian peppertree): discovered two potential biocontrol agents, a weevil Omolabus piceus and a caterpillar Tecmessa elegans, feeding on this weed in its native range in South America. •Paratachardina lobata (lobate lac scale): studies are underway to determine whether parasitoids from India will accept Florida populations of lobate lac scale, and to document the damage caused by this invasive insect. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Federal, state, and local land managers in Florida have been informed of the operational status of the melaleuca weevil and psyllid. Techniques for collecting and redistributing these insects have been taught to these land managers, as well as private landholders and weed control specialists. We collaborated with land managers and private landholders to redistribute Salvinia weevils in Texas and Louisiana. Sessions on the use of operational weed biocontrol agents at the University of Florida’s Aquatic and Wetland Weed Control Short Course raised awareness of possible biocontrol alternatives with natural resource managers and weed control specialists. Presentations before environmental organizations, scientific organizations, and federal and state working groups appraised administrators and scientists of the importance and availability of biological control agents for use against invasive weeds, and helped assure the inclusion of weed biocontrol technology in federal, state, and tribal management plans. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Pemberton, R.W. 2005. Halting the accent of climbing fern. Biological Control News and Information 26: 48-50. Pemberton, R.W. 2006. Taking down climbing fern-biological control of Lygodium microphyllum. Wildland Weeds 9: 10-11. Wheeler, G.S. Biological control of Hydrilla. Presented at the Annual Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society, 10-Nov 2005, St Petersburg, FL Wheeler, G.S. The characteristics of a great weed biological control agent: Oxyops vitiosa, a weevil introduced for control of Melaleuca quinquenervia. Presented at the Annual Entomological Society of America meeting, 15-18 Dec 2005, Ft Lauderdale, FL Wheeler, G.S., F. McKay, W. Cabrera Walsh, & R. Pitelli. Brazilian pepper biological control: updates from foreign exploration activities. Presented at the annual meeting of the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council, 24-26 Apr 2006, Gainesville, FL Wheeler, G.S. Weed biological control from start to finish. Presented at the annual meeting of the South East Exotic Plant Pest Council, 24-26 May 2006, Raleigh, NC Center, T.D. Current issues in biological control of weeds and progress on melaleuca. Presented to the Entomology Departmnet of the University of Massachussets, 8 May 2006. Review Publications Wheeler, G.S., Ordung, K.M. 2005. Secondary metabolite variation affects the oviposition preference but has little effect on the performance of boreioglycaspis melaleucae: a biological control agent of melaleuca quinquenervia. Biological Control. 35:115-123. Wheeler, G.S. 2005. Chemotype variation of the weed melaleuca quinquenervia influences the biomass and fecundity of the biological control agent oxyops vitiosa. Biological Control. 36:121-128. Dray Jr, F.A., Bennett, B.C., Center, T.D. 2006. Invasion history of melaleuca quinquenervia (cav.) S.T. Blake in Florida. Castanea. 71(3): 210-225. Rayamajhi, M.B., Van, T.K., Center, T.D. 2005. Impact of puccinia psidii on the performance of invasive tree melaleuca quinquenervia in florida. Phytopathology. 95(6):S87. Rayamajhi, M.B., Van, T.K., Laroche, F. 2005. Melaleuca quinquenervia seed dynamics in south florida: how long do they remain viable in south florida environment? Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Weed be Jamin. p.21. Rayamajhi, M.B., Van, T.K., Pratt, P.D., Center, T.D. 2005. Interactive association between puccinia psidii and oxyops vitosa, the biological control agents of melaleuca quinquenervia in florida. Biological Control. 37:56-67. Elliott, M., Rayamajhi, M.B. 2005. First report of bipolaris sacchari causing leaf spot on lygodium japonicum and l. microphyllum in florida. Plant Disease. 89(11):1244. Pemberton, R.W., Wheeler, G.S. 2006. Orchid bees don¿t need orchid mutualists, evidence from the naturalization of an orchid bee in florida. Ecology. 87:1995-2001. Pemberton, R.W., Nguyen, R., Winotai, A., Howard, F.W. 2006. Host acceptance trials of kerria lacca (kerriidae) parasitoids from northern thailand on the pest lobate lac scale (paratachardina lobata) (kerriidae) in florida.. Florida Entomologist. 89:336-339. Liu, H., Pemberton, R.W., Stiling, P. 2006. Native and introduced pollinators promote a self incompatable invasive woody vine (paederia foetida) in florida. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 133:304-311. Rayamajhi, M.B., Van, T.K., Pratt, P.D., Center, T.D. 2006. Temporal and structural effects of stands on litter production in Melaleuca quinquenervia dominated wetlands of south Florida. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 14:303-316.