New Bio Control Agent Development in North America, a Wyoming Perspective. Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference October 19, 2016 La Crosse, WI

Transcription

1 New Bio Control Agent Development in North America, a Wyoming Perspective Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference October 19, 2016 La Crosse, WI

2 Questions for the Audience Are you familiar with how new bio control agents become available? Do you use bio control for invasive weed management? Why? How are bio control programs managed in your areas? What weed species are you most interested in bio control for?

3 Outline Wyoming Bio Control Success with Bio Control in Wyoming New Bio Control Projects Supported by Wyoming North American Support for New Bio Control North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Bio Control Committee

4 Wyoming Bio Control 40 Years of WY Bio Control st weed bio control in WY 1980s 1 st organized efforts to search for and implement weed bio control st release of Aphthona nigriscutis 1993 WY Bio Control Steering Committee 1994 WY Dept. of Ag. Grant

5 Wyoming Bio Control WY Bio Control Steering Committee New Agent Development Primarily CABI Switzerland Average $230,000 annually since of 23 Counties Contributed of 23 Counties Contributed since 2009 $500-$70,000 per county

6 Wyoming Success Stories About 30 species of biocontrol agents released on 10 weed species About 20 Bio-agents are well established About 10 Bio-agents have had major impacts on the host weed species

7 Flea Beetles on Leafy Spurge Riparian

8 Flea Beetles on Leafy Spurge Upland Range

9 Leafy spurge monitoring - Change in vegetation cover 100 Vegetation cover (%) Other vegetation Bare ground Leafy spurge Years after release of A. nigriscutis

10 Stem weevils on Dalmatian Toadflax Photo Credit: Montana Bio Control

11 Leaf Beetles on Salt Cedar

12 Weevils on Musk Thistle

13 Gall Wasp and Midge on Russian Knapweed

14 North American Support 2014 CABI weed bio control $1,200,000 75% USA 5 States WY, MT, MN, SD, WA 5 Federal Agencies APHIS CPHST, BLM, Army Corp., USFS, BIA

15 North American Support 2014 CABI weed bio control 19 North American Bio Control Projects Yellow Toadflax Dalmatian Toadflax Perennial Pepperweed Whitetop (hoary cress) Russian Olive Russian Knapweed Dyer s Woad Oxeye Daisy Common Tansy Field Bindweed Hawkweeds Garlic Mustard Common Reed Houndstongue Flowering Rush Japanese Knotweed Swallow Worts Himalayan Balsam Field Bindweed

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17 Wyoming Supported Projects Dalmatian and yellow toadflax Saltcedar Russian knapweed Whitetop Dyer s woad Houndstongue Russian olive Perennial pepperweed

18 NAISMA Bio Control Committee Goals 1. Garner widespread support for overseas research and development for current and potential biological control agents. 2. Provide a collective voice for on the ground biological control matters in North America 3. Be the central hub for collecting, discussing and sharing on the ground successes, failures, observations and resources in North America. 4. Create a focus group to be involved in the release approval process.

19 NAISMA Concerns Funding Sustainability Few sources Declining budgets Declining confidence Delayed Progress Increasing economic and ecological harm New agents almost available

20 NAISMA Perspective Bio control is valuable tool Limiting further spread Reduce population pressure and increase biodiversity Last remaining tool in some cases Define expectations and success No guaranties What are our expectations What does it mean to be successful Support pool needs diversification

21 Discussion? 1. How can NAISMA help gain interest for more bio control support? 2. Are there concerns which NAISMA can help address?

22 Thank You! Acknowledgements: Nancy Pieropan, Fremont County Weed and Pest, Lars Baker (retired), Fremont County Weed and Pest, Dr. Timothy Collier, University of Wyoming, Dr. Hariet Hinz, CABI Switzerland, Wyoming Weed and Pest Council