Project Number: 211-22000-005-02
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Oct 01, 1999
End Date: Sep 30, 2004

Objective:
To conduct collaborative research on the biological control of Mesquite and waterhyacinth. To use host-specific biological control agents that will destroy the seeds, the pods and the flower buds and/or flowers. The research will be conducted on the seed-feeding weevil (Apion sp.), petiole mining fly (Thrypticus sp.) and sap sucker (Taosa sp.) that occurs widely in Argentina.

Approach:
PPRI, Pretoria, South Africa will conduct collaborative research with ARS/SABCL, Buenos Aires, Argentina for a period of two/three years and will cover the following areas: 1. Natural host range studies; 2. To study one or two unidentified Apion, thrpticus and/or Taosa spp. in Argentina that attack green mesquite pods; 3. Life cycle and biological studies and phenology of the selected specie(s)and their associated natural enemies; 4. Host-specificity studies on the selected candidate and potential impact on seed production in South Africa (Permission will be obtained to introduce South African prosopis pods for preliminary preference studies in quarantine in Argentina.); 5. Provision of live insects for further studies in quarantine in South Africa.

Project Team

Greene, Richard - Rich

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Crop Protection & Quarantine (304)