Exploratory surveys in Australia and Asia for natural enemies of Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum: Lygodiaceae

Abstract

Lygodium microphyllum, Old World climbing fern, is native to the wet tropics and subtropics of the Old World and an invasive weed in southern Florida. Exploration for natural enemies of this weed was conducted between 1997 and 2002 in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Two species of mites and 20 insect species were collected. The eriophyid mite, Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki and Boczek, was the most widely distributed and appeared to cause significant damage to the plant over time. Several unique geographical genotypes of F. perrepae were identified. Other promising candidates for further research are the musotimine pyralid species, Neomusotima conspurcatalis Warren, Cataclysta camptozonale Hampson, Cataclysta sp. 2, and Musotima sp., all leaf-feeders, as well as the stem-borer Ambia sp. All of the herbivores collected, except the eriophyid, typically occurred at low field densities. The pyralid species may reach high densities and cause great damage in Florida in the absence of their co-evolved natural enemies. The mite F. perrepae shows the greatest potential for biological control based on field surveys and initial laboratory observations; however, future studies must identify mite genotypes that are best adapted to the invasive Florida form of the fern. Published by Elsevier Science (USA).

Absorption and Translocation of Glyphosate, Metsulfuron, and Triclopyr in Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

“…Lygodium microphyllum is difficult to manage using controlled burns, mechanical removal, or herbicide applications due to the plant's ability to regenerate from underground rhizomes (Stocker et al 1997;Goolsby et al 2003, Hutchinson et al 2006. Despite satisfactory kill of aerial vines from herbicides, 3-5% of the L. microphyllum individuals regrow and require repeated treatments to achieve mortality of the perennial underground rhizomes Lockhart 2007;Boughton & Pemberton 2008).…”

Biology and Reproductive Parameters of the Brown Lygodium Moth, <I>Neomusotima conspurcatalis</I> - A New Biological Control Agent of Old World Climbing Fern in Florida

“…The rapid spread of L. microphyllum, its impact on native communities, and the lack of effective long-term control using conventional management techniques prompted the start of a classical biological control program in 1997 (Goolsby et al 2003;Hutchinson et al 2006). The ongoing search for potential biological control agents has focused on Asia and Australia (Pemberton 1998;Goolsby et al 2003).…”

“…The ongoing search for potential biological control agents has focused on Asia and Australia (Pemberton 1998;Goolsby et al 2003).…”

The Effects of Fire on Spore Viability of Lygodium microphyllum (Old World Climbing Fern)

“…Through extensive surveys of L. microphyllum's native range and testing of potential biocontrols for specificity, a few candidates have been selected for further studies to determine their suitability for release in the invaded range (Goolsby 2003, Pemberton 1998. Closely related species that are of particular concern regarding hungry biocontrols for L. microphyllum include the native Lygodium palmatum (Bernh.)…”