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Display category headings
Research Project:
BIOCONTROL OF YST AND TUMBLEWEED (RUSSIAN THISTLE): DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AGENTS TO RELEASE
Location:
Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research
Project Number: 5325-22000-017-06
Project Type:
Reimbursable
Start Date: Jul 01, 2002
End Date: Jun 30, 2006
Objective:
Yellow starthistle and tumbleweed are important invasive weeds in the western U.S. Weed populations can be reduced by releasing natural enemies that are highly specific. We will test the most promising insect agents from Eurasia to determine if they are safe and effective (a root-feeding weevil for yellow starthistle, and a blister mite for tumbleweed).
Approach:
Studies will be conducted primarily on the root weevil, Ceratapion basicorne, for yellow starthistle and the blister mite, Aceria salsolae, for tumbleweed. Candidate agents will be tested to determine if they are capable of attacking non-target plants, and if so, to determine if they are likely to attack them in the field. Most of the former tests are conducted in quarantine, and the latter are conducted in the field in the land of origin. The damage caused by candidate biological control agents will be measured in the laboratory and in field experiments to determine if the agents are likely to significantly reduce weed populations if they are released. Agents that do not attack nontarget plants and that substantially damage the target weed will be proposed for introduction. A petition will be submitted to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), the state of California, and USDA-APHIS for approval. Approved agents will be multiplied in quarantine and released in cooperation with state scientists.Documents Trust with CalTrans. Log 21681.
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