Biological control of Lygodium microphyllum in the USA
Lygodium microphyllum (Schizaeaceae) is native to tropical Africa, and Asia, and is an invasive alien plant in North America, in particular southern and central Florida. L. microphyllum is a climbing fern species which can have negative impacts on native plant diversity by forming thick mats that block sunlight to native shrubs and trees. A number of biological control agents have been released in North America to control L. microphyllum, including, Austromusotima camptozonale (Lepidoptera) which was released in 2004 and Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera) and Floracarus perrepae (Acari), both released in 2008. A. camptozonale failed to establish and although the other two biocontrol agents established, they have not had the desired level of impact on the invasive population. The defoliating moth Callopistria exotica (Lepidoptera) was collected in Hong Kong and examined in quarantine to determine if it was safe for release. Climate modelling analysis was performed to predict the potential climate suitability of C. exotica in the invaded range. The results of the host range testing indicate that C. exotica is highly specific to L. microphyllum and the congener L. japonicum (EPPO A1 List). The results of the climate modelling suggest that C. exotica could establish in southern Florida though it has a low suitability in other areas of North America. These results combined, suggest that the release of C. exotica could contribute to the control of L. microphyllum in North America.
Sources
Wheeler GS, Lake EC, Mattison E, Sutton GF (2024) Host range, biology, and climate suitability of Callopistria exotica, a potential biological control agent of Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) in the USA. Biological Control 188, 105410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105410 |