Factors to consider when using native biological control organisms to manage exotic plants
Biological control of exotic plant populations with nativeorganisms appears to be increasing, even though its successto date has been limited. Although many researchers andmanagers feel that native organisms are easier to use andpresent less risk to the environment this may not be true.Developing a successful management program with a nativeinsect is dependent on a number of critical factors that needto be considered. Information is needed on the feeding preferenceof the agent, agent effectiveness, environmental regulationof the agent, unique requirements of the agent,population maintenance of the agent, and time to desiredimpact. By understanding these factors, researchers andmanagers can develop a detailed protocol for using the nativebiological control agent for a specific target plant.. We foundE. leconteiin 14 waterbodies,most of which were in eastern Washington. Only one lakewith weevils was located in western Washington. Weevils wereassociated with both Eurasian (Myriophyllum spicatumL.) andnorthern watermilfoil (M. sibiricumK.). Waterbodies withE.leconteihad significantly higher (P< 0.05) pH (8.7±0.2)(mean±2SE), specific conductance (0.3±0.08 mS cm-1) andtotal alkalinity (132.4±30.8 mg CaCO3L-1). We also foundthat weevil presence was related to surface water temperatureand waterbody location ( = 24.3,P≤0.001) and of allthe models tested, this model provided the best fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit = 4.0,P= 0.9). Our results suggestthat in Washington StateE. leconteioccurs primarily ineastern Washington in waterbodies with pH≥8.2 and specificconductance≥0.2 mS cm-1. Furthermore, weevil distributionappears to be correlated with waterbody location (easternversus western Washington) and surface water temperature.
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| Format: | article biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2000
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| Subjects: | Management, Biology, Limnology, non-indigenous plants, insect, native, augmentative release, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/19785 |
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