Natural enemies of Japanese honeysuckle <i>Lonicera japonica</i> in New Zealand

Abstract

Japanese honeysuckle is rapidly increasing as a weed throughout most of the North Island and northern South Island of New Zealand. A classical biological control programme was initiated in 2004-2005 with a survey of the natural invertebrate fauna and pathogens associated with the weed in New Zealand. The honeysuckle was being attacked by a diverse range of native and introduced invertebrates. But overall the damage was minimal and none of the herbivore niches on the weed were well utilised implying that exotic agents may have a chance of inflicting additional damage that might be sufficient to control the species. Most damage was caused by foliage feeders, such as lepidopterous larvae and thrips, but this affected less than 5% of total plant biomass. Primary and secondary foliar pathogens, such as Pseudocercospora lonicerae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Insolibasidium deformans and Phoma spp., were frequently recorded. Potential use of these natural enemies for weed biocontrol is discussed.

Analysis of plant growth promoting potential of endophytes isolated from echinacea purpurea and lonicera japonica

“…pisi, Mycosphaerella pinodes, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pathogens, which cause root rot complex in field peas, and increased both the emergence and yield against these pathogens (Xue, 2003). Since E. purpurea and L. japonica plants are affected by many fungal pathogens (Waipara et al, 2007), we suggest that treatment with LS.B11 and EF.B3 could be used to control these fungal pathogens.…”

“…and Pythium sp. (Waipara et al, 2007). Therefore, we tested the biocontrol activities of LS.B11 and EF.B3 against fungal phytopathogens by using in vitro growth inhibition of fungal disc in the presence of endophytes.…”

A review on the invasion ecology of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Caprifoliaceae) a case study of ecological impacts at multiple scales

“…In a recent survey of L. maackii shrubs conducted around Cincinnati, OH, USA, 61.8% of L. maackii stems were dead, which was approximately 58% more than found in reports from 1989 (3.2%; Boyce et al 2014). Thus far, there has been no studies, to our knowledge, on biocontrol agents for L. maackii; however, a study by Waipara et al (2007) demonstrated herbivore and pathogen damage was low on Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) in New Zealand and suggested further research on natural enemies in the native L. japonica range is necessary for the development of biocontrol agents.…”

Prospects for the biological control of <i>Lantana camara</i> (Verbenaceae) in New Zealand

“…A dissecting microscope was used to search necrotic areas for sporulation of P. tuberculatum and other pathogens. Methods outlined previously (Waipara et al 2007) were used to isolate other pathogenic fungi from diseased tissues. Small pieces of tissue were cut from the leading edge of diseased areas, surface sterilised in 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min and plated onto potato dextrose agar (Difco Labs, Detroit, MI, USA) amended with 0.02% streptomycin (Sigma, St Louis, MI, USA).…”