2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop safe and effective biological control agents of Hydrilla in China 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Conduct foreign explorations in China and adjacent areas and host testing to identify and prioritize potential agents for biological control. 3.Progress Report This project aligns with research on the in-house project plan objectives:Objective 3 Elucidate the ecology and population dynamics of targeted weeds and insects and investigate the impact of their suppression on community and ecosystem structure and function. Objective 5 Release, establish, evaluate efficacy, and corroborate environmental safety of approved biological control agents and develop and distribute the technology to customers in order to expedite their adoption and deployment. Invasive weeds have invaded the Everglades ecosystem decreasing its biodiversity. Biological controls of these weeds will be developed by the introduction of safe insects that reduce their vigor. This project sponsors foreign surveys in China for new agents of hydrilla, a submersed aquatic species. Activities were monitored by email, phone calls, and sight visits. The results indicate that the leaf beetle, Macroplea japana, will not be pursued as a candidate for biological control as it was found in the field feeding on nine additional plant species. Additionally, intensive surveys recovered a new species of Bagous weevil that has been colonized for further testing. These biological controls will reduce the health and vigor of these invasive weeds and reduce their damage to natural areas and agriculture.