Biological control of
weeds
Marvin T. Simborio
Presenter
EasternVisayas State University
Definition of a WEED
• “A plant out of place”
– Growing where they are not wanted
– A dandelion is a weed in a lawn, BUT grass is a
weed on a dandelion farm! (essential
source of nectar for honey bees in early spring)
– A wheat plant in canola field
– Mostly, exotic plants outside their native environments (but
bearing suitable climatic conditions) & lacking natural enemies
• Consequences
– Significant losses to economic crops
– Detrimental effects in natural ecosystem
EasternVisayas State University
Weed Management
• Mechanical control
– Hand or machine
– Burning
• Chemical control
– Herbicides
• Biological control
(Analogue to biocontrol of insect pests)
– Pathogens
• Bacteria; fungi; nematodes… etc.
– Host specific phytophagous insects
(plant “predators”)
• Classical biological control
• Augmentation biological control
Biological control of weeds
• Examples
Dodder, a parasitic plant, infects
cranberry causing yield loss and
plant death; controlled with a
specified fungus
Waterhyacinth, an introduced invasive
aquatic plant, choking a waterway in
Mississippi; controlled by insects
introduced from the area of weed Origin
Northern jointvetch infests rice fields,
lowering yields. Seeds mixed with
harvested rice lower crop quality;
controlled by aerial applications of the
bioherbicide Collego®
BEFORE AFTER
Biological control of weeds
• Ex.: Purple loosestrife
– Valued wildflower native
Eurasian habitats
– Existing in small stands &
as isolated
plants controlled by a
complex of natural
enemies
– It was introduced to North America in the late 19th
century where it now exists in huge, monotypic stands,
choking waterways and crowding out native North
American species.
– Traditional methods of weed control, such as cultivation
& the use of herbicides, are not practical or desirable for
such wide-ranging stands of weeds, and biological
Biological control of weeds
• Started in Canada in 1952
– Release of the defoliating beetles Chrysolina
quadrigemina & C. hyperici to control St. John's
wort
• Another examples of successful classical
biological control of introduced weeds in North
America:
– Nodding thistle (Canada; Kansas)
– Ragwort (BC, California & Oregon)
– Klamath weed (Ontario, California, Oregon &
Washington)
Biological control of weeds
Estimated 50 - 75% of problem weeds were either accidental or
intentional introductions from other areas
Biological control of weeds
• Considerations for species for introduction to control
pest weeds
– Specific to one plant species
– Has negative impact on host plant
individuals & its population
– Is prolific
– Thrives and becomes widespread in all habitats & climates that
the pest weed occupies
– Is good colonizer
– Less overall expense compared to other control tactics
– Does not require a high level of technology
– Less disruptive ecologically & so natural biodiversity is
maintained
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– Cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorumorigins origin
to South America
– Prefers to lay its eggs & feed on prickly pear cacti,
Opuntia sp. (also known as Platyopuntia)
– Other related cacti are not thought to be
preferred hosts
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
a)Before sunrise, female releases sex
pheromone signaling to males her
readiness to mate; males respond
b) Mating takes place
c)After incubation, female deposits egg
stick averaging 70-90 eggs
d)Eggs hatch in 25-30 day; gregarious 1st
instar larvae bore into cactus pad
e)External damage is characterized by
yellowing of plant tissues, with oozing of
plant fluids & insect frass
f) Larvae feed on inside tissues
g) Larvae develop internally
h) Feeding results in hollowing out cactus
pad; mature larvae exit cactus pad
i) Larvae form cocoons
j) Pupation is taken place under debris on
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– in the 1920’s, prickly pear cactus spread widely
Queensland, Australia after accidental introduction
– Cactus moth introduced from its origin to Australia to
control prickly pear cactus
– Achieved control in 18 months; considered the
most effective biological control agent tested
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Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– The success C. cactorum in Australia influenced its
use in other parts of the world
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– From biocontrol agent
to PEST
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– Why pest?!
• Agriculture
• United States
– Rangeland Grazing
– Nursery Plants and Landscaping
– Fruit and Pad Production in California
• Mexico
– Fruit, pads (cladodes), and dye representing 2% of Mexico's total
agricultural production
– Cosmetics & other value added products
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– Why pest?!
– Conservation
• Loss of Biodiversity
– Species richness
– Endangered Species impacted
• Habitat loss
– Major plant component of desert ecosystems (Sonoran,
Mojave, Chihuahuan deserts)
– Wildlife habitat and food source
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies I
• The cactus moth & prickly pear cacti
– Why pest?!
– Human Impacts, Values
• Recreation
• Tourism
• Hunting
• Indigenous groups use for food, medicine
• Importance to farmers in subsistence areas
• Historically significant in culture and religion
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies II
• Salvinia and phytophagous weevils
–The weed
• Salvinia, aquatic fern, spread by
human from SE Brazil to many
tropical & subtropical regions
• Prefers warm, nitrogen-rich water
• Out of origin area, lacks natural
enemies
• Became serious weed problem in its
non-native range
– Can completely block waterways,
without visible control method
– Chocks flow, disrupting livelihood of people depend on
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies II
• Salvinia and phytophagous weevils
–The biocontrol agent
• 2 mm long weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae
• Host specific
• Has high searching efficiency for salvinia
• No immigration with high population
• Adult feeds on salvinia buds
• Larva tunnels through buds & rhizomes &
feeds externally on roots
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies II
• Salvinia and phytophagous weevils
–The control
• Initial biological control of salvinia failed because of
taxonomic mistakes of the plant & weevil
• The taxonomic problems solved in 1978
• The weevils used in many regions in Africa, Asia, US &
Pacific with outstanding successes
Classic biological control of weeds:
Case studies II
• Salvinia and phytophagous weevils
–The control
• Economic benefits
– In Sri Lanks, the return in investment of 53 : 1 in terms of cash
– 1678 : 1 in terms of hours of labor
– The research team recognized by the UNESCO Science Prize, 1985
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