Developing Biological Control of Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande (Garlic Mustard)

Invasive nonindigenous plants are a primary threat to native species and the integrity of natural areas by causing changes in species composition and ecosystem processes. For many of the most invasive species, natural area managers lack species-specific and successful long-term management options. M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural areas journal 2001-10, Vol.21 (4), p.357-367
Main Authors: Blossey, Bernd, Nuzzo, Victoria, Hinz, Hariet, Gerber, Esther
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural management
Alliaria petiolata
Alticinae
CONSERVATION ISSUES
Curculionidae
Garlic
Herbivores
Insect larvae
Invasive species
Larval development
Mustards
Plants
Species
Weed control
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Summary:Invasive nonindigenous plants are a primary threat to native species and the integrity of natural areas by causing changes in species composition and ecosystem processes. For many of the most invasive species, natural area managers lack species-specific and successful long-term management options. Moreover, repeated use of fire, herbicides, flooding, mowing, and other management options may have negative impacts on native species. Increasingly, land managers are considering biological weed control—the introduction of host-specific natural enemies from the native range of a nonindigenous plant species. The spread of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata [M. Bieb.] Cavara and Grande), a European biennial herb, through forests of the eastern and midwestern United States and Canada has caused great concern. In 1998 a biological control program for garlic mustard was initiated and the search for potential biological control agents began in western Europe. Garlic mustard is under little herbivore pressure in North America, whereas 70 insect herbivores and 7 fungi are associated with this plant in Europe. While most of these species are not sufficiently host-specific to be considered for introduction into North America, five monophagous weevils and an oligophagous flea beetle that attack seeds, stems, and roots of garlic mustard were selected for further study, based on the assumption that simultaneous attack of different plant parts will provide superior control. Although literature records and preliminary investigations suggest that these herbivores have a very restricted host range, extensive experimental investigations will assess whether these insects are safe for introduction to North America. Development of successful biological control for garlic mustard will allow natural area managers to incorporate release of host-specific herbivores into their management strategy. Las plantas invasoras alóctonas son el problema principal de las especies nativas y la causa de los cambios de composición de especies y procesos de los ecosistemas. Para la mayoría de las especies de mayor poder invasor, los encargados de las áreas naturales carecen de opciones de manejo a largo plazo específicas para cada especie. Más aún, el uso repetido del fuego, herbicidas, inundación, cosecha, y otras opciones pueden tener un impacto negativo en las especies nativas. Cada vez más los encargados de las áreas naturales están considerando el control biológico de las semillas -la introducció
ISSN:0885-8608
2162-4399