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John A. Goolsby - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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No evidence of non-target use of native or economic grasses and broadleaf plants by Arundo donax biological control agents
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2020Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Patrick J Moran, C. R. Hathcock, A. T. Vacek, R. R. Kariyat, M. Martinez JimenezAbstract:Two Arundo donax biological control agents, Tetramesa romana, the Arundo wasp, and Rhizaspidiotus donacis, the Arundo scale, have been established in Texas, USA and Morelos, Mexico for ten years. A...
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densities of the Arundo wasp tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae across its native range in mediterranean europe and introduced ranges in north america and africa
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2018Co-Authors: M Marshall, John A. Goolsby, Patrick J Moran, A. T. Vacek, A A Kirk, Cortes E Mendoza, Massimo Cristofaro, A Bownes, A Mastoras, J KashefiAbstract:Tetramesa romana is a biological control agent of the giant reed, Arundo donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae), which is an invasive weed in the riparian habitats of the Rio Grande Basin of Texas, the sou...
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Higher Beetle Diversity in Native Vegetation Than in Stands of the Invasive Arundo, Arundo donax L., along the Rio Grande Basin in Texas, USA.
Journal of insect science (Online), 2018Co-Authors: Weste L. A. Osbrink, John A. Goolsby, Donald B. Thomas, Allan T. Showler, B LealAbstract:Within the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Rio Grande, a steady displacement of native vegetation by Arundo donax L. has been occurring for over a century. Arundo rapidly grows to a height of 3-6 m creating a dense wall of vegetation impeding surveillance and interception of stray cattle breaching the cattle fever tick quarantine from Mexico. Additionally, Arundo monocultures may decrease the number and diversity of predatory beetles feeding on cattle fever ticks. To compare predatory beetle abundance and diversity within and between Arundo and native vegetation, beetles were trapped at 10 locations twice a month for 16 mo (=38,400 trap nights) in the cattle fever tick quarantine zone along the Mexico-American border between Brownsville and Del Rio, TX. In total, 766 beetles were trapped, which included 34 genera and 43 species. Native vegetation provided more beetles, greater species richness, and increased biological diversity. Thus, greater beetle diversity was found in the more complex native vegetation compared with Arundo stands. However, because predatory beetle sample numbers were modest, it is unlikely these mostly polyphagous, opportunistic arthropod predators would apply much pressure on tick populations, leading us to conclude that beetle predation would have little effect on tick populations in native vegetation or within stands of Arundo.
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Host range of the European leaf sheath mining midge, Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control of giant reed, Arundo donax L.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Alexis E Racelis, Patrick J Moran, A. T. Vacek, C. Salinas, Alan A KirkAbstract:ABSTRACTThe fundamental host range of the Arundo leafminer, Lasioptera donacis a candidate agent for the invasive weed, Arundo donax was evaluated. L. donacis collects and inserts spores of a saprophytic fungus, Arthrinium arundinis, during oviposition. Larvae feed and develop in the decomposing leaf sheath channel tissue. Thirty-six closely related and economic grass species along with several key habitat associates were evaluated in no-choice tests. L. donacis and its associated saprophyte completed development only on A. donax, in concurrence with published reports from its native range in Mediterranean Europe. The Arundo leafminer feeding leads to premature defoliation, constituting a different mode of attack on the host plant as compared to two previously released insects, the Arundo wasp and Arundo scale, which feed on shoot tips and rhizomes, respectively. Defoliation of A. donax is expected to increase light penetration into stands of A. donax which increases visibility for law enforcement, reduce...
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impact of the Arundo wasp tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae on biomass of the invasive weed Arundo donax poaceae arundinoideae and on revegetation of riparian habitat along the rio grande in texas
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: Patrick J Moran, Alexis E Racelis, Ann T Vacek, Paul D Pratt, John A. GoolsbyAbstract:ABSTRACTAn invasive grass, Arundo donax, occupies thousands of hectares of arid riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in Texas and Mexico, and has negative impacts on national security, water resources, and riparian ecosystems. The shoot-tip-galling wasp Tetramesa romana was released in 2009 between Brownsville and Del Rio, Texas, and has dispersed over 800 km along the river channel. Plots along the river were surveyed for shoot counts of Arundo and all other plant species in 2016 at seven sites in regions in which prior studies had documented a 22% decline in Arundo biomass (estimated from live shoot length) from 2007 to 2014. Estimated live biomass declined a further 32% between 2014 and 2016. Native plants accounted for 86% of the 44 species encountered in plots. Individual plots averaged five plant species, and Arundo was most abundant in only 9 of 21 plots. Arundo live biomass and shoot density were negatively associated with plant diversity, indicating that live Arundo interferes with germination a...
Patrick J Moran - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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No evidence of non-target use of native or economic grasses and broadleaf plants by Arundo donax biological control agents
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2020Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Patrick J Moran, C. R. Hathcock, A. T. Vacek, R. R. Kariyat, M. Martinez JimenezAbstract:Two Arundo donax biological control agents, Tetramesa romana, the Arundo wasp, and Rhizaspidiotus donacis, the Arundo scale, have been established in Texas, USA and Morelos, Mexico for ten years. A...
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densities of the Arundo wasp tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae across its native range in mediterranean europe and introduced ranges in north america and africa
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2018Co-Authors: M Marshall, John A. Goolsby, Patrick J Moran, A. T. Vacek, A A Kirk, Cortes E Mendoza, Massimo Cristofaro, A Bownes, A Mastoras, J KashefiAbstract:Tetramesa romana is a biological control agent of the giant reed, Arundo donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae), which is an invasive weed in the riparian habitats of the Rio Grande Basin of Texas, the sou...
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Host range of the European leaf sheath mining midge, Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control of giant reed, Arundo donax L.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Alexis E Racelis, Patrick J Moran, A. T. Vacek, C. Salinas, Alan A KirkAbstract:ABSTRACTThe fundamental host range of the Arundo leafminer, Lasioptera donacis a candidate agent for the invasive weed, Arundo donax was evaluated. L. donacis collects and inserts spores of a saprophytic fungus, Arthrinium arundinis, during oviposition. Larvae feed and develop in the decomposing leaf sheath channel tissue. Thirty-six closely related and economic grass species along with several key habitat associates were evaluated in no-choice tests. L. donacis and its associated saprophyte completed development only on A. donax, in concurrence with published reports from its native range in Mediterranean Europe. The Arundo leafminer feeding leads to premature defoliation, constituting a different mode of attack on the host plant as compared to two previously released insects, the Arundo wasp and Arundo scale, which feed on shoot tips and rhizomes, respectively. Defoliation of A. donax is expected to increase light penetration into stands of A. donax which increases visibility for law enforcement, reduce...
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impact of the Arundo wasp tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae on biomass of the invasive weed Arundo donax poaceae arundinoideae and on revegetation of riparian habitat along the rio grande in texas
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: Patrick J Moran, Alexis E Racelis, Ann T Vacek, Paul D Pratt, John A. GoolsbyAbstract:ABSTRACTAn invasive grass, Arundo donax, occupies thousands of hectares of arid riparian habitat along the Rio Grande in Texas and Mexico, and has negative impacts on national security, water resources, and riparian ecosystems. The shoot-tip-galling wasp Tetramesa romana was released in 2009 between Brownsville and Del Rio, Texas, and has dispersed over 800 km along the river channel. Plots along the river were surveyed for shoot counts of Arundo and all other plant species in 2016 at seven sites in regions in which prior studies had documented a 22% decline in Arundo biomass (estimated from live shoot length) from 2007 to 2014. Estimated live biomass declined a further 32% between 2014 and 2016. Native plants accounted for 86% of the 44 species encountered in plots. Individual plots averaged five plant species, and Arundo was most abundant in only 9 of 21 plots. Arundo live biomass and shoot density were negatively associated with plant diversity, indicating that live Arundo interferes with germination a...
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impact of the biological control agent tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae on Arundo donax poaceae arundinoideae along the rio grande river in texas
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2016Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Alexis E Racelis, Patrick J Moran, Kenneth R. Summy, Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Ronald D Lacewell, Adalberto Perez A De Leon, Alan A KirkAbstract:ABSTRACTFive years post-release of the Arundo gall wasp, Tetramesa romana, into the riparian habitats of the lower Rio Grande River, changes in the health of the invasive weed, Arundo donax, or giant reed, have been documented. These changes in plant attributes are fairly consistent along the study area of 558 river miles between Del Rio and Brownsville, TX, and support the hypothesis that the Arundo wasp has had a significant impact as a biological control agent. Plant attributes were measured prior to release in 10 quadrats at each of 10 field sites in 2007, and measured again at the same undisturbed sites, 5 years after the release of T. romana, in 2014. Above ground biomass of A. donax decreased on average by 22% across the 10 sites. This decline in biomass was negatively correlated to increased total numbers of T. romana exit holes in main and lateral shoots per site in 2014 compared to 2007. Changes in biomass, live shoot density and shoot lengths, especially the positive effect of galling on main a...
Tom L. Dudley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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nutrient enrichment and soil conditions drive productivity in the large statured invasive grass Arundo donax
Aquatic Botany, 2014Co-Authors: Adam M Lambert, Tom L. Dudley, Jim RobbinsAbstract:Introduction of the large-statured, invasive grass Arundo donax has negatively affected riparian ecosystems in Mediterranean-type climates and tropical regions worldwide. Control programs in large watersheds have been largely ineffective in reducing populations because of Arundo's ability to recolonize after flooding and human induced changes to resource availability that facilitates growth. In a greenhouse study, we evaluated the relative effects of nitrogen, soil type, soil moisture, and light availability on Arundo growth. All treatments significantly influenced plant growth, but nitrogen addition and soils with organic materials had the strongest positive effect on above- and belowground biomass production. Ratios of above- to belowground growth were relatively stable across soil types and moisture levels, but allocation to belowground structures was significantly increased by nitrogen addition and full sunlight. Our results imply that control and management programs should address the human-altered nutrient and soil conditions associated with agricultural and urban watersheds that may facilitate dispersal, establishment, and growth of Arundo and other invasive plants.
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Invasive riparian plant litter alters aquatic insect growth
Biological Invasions, 2008Co-Authors: Barbara M. Going, Tom L. DudleyAbstract:In a laboratory study, we examined growth and survival of the caddisfly, Lepidostoma unicolor , feeding on two types of native leaf litter ( Alnus rhombifolia [Alder] and a Salicaceae mix [ Salix spp. and Populus fremontii] ) and two invasive, non-native species ( Tamarix ramosissima [saltcedar] and Arundo donax [giant reed]). Larval survival was high (>85%), and did not differ, among those fed Alnus , Salicaceae, or Tamarix litter, but was much lower (20%) for larvae fed Arundo litter. Mean dry biomass of larvae fed Tamarix was 45% greater than that of larvae fed Alnus , and both were significantly greater than the biomasses of insects fed Salicaceae or Arundo . Although both Alnus and Tamarix increased in percent nitrogen with conditioning, Alnus had a significantly higher nitrogen content (4.9 and 3.6%, respectively). Final C : N-values for Alnus and Tamarix were below 18, while C : N for Arundo and Salicaceae were 56 and 44, respectively. Greater growth of larvae fed Tamarix is likely due to the high nutritive value of the conditioned litter, whereas conditioning of Arundo litter did not result in improved nutritive values. Larvae in the Alnus and Salicaceae treatments fed on the entire surface of the leaves until only the skeletons remained. In contrast, larvae in the Arundo treatments focused feeding activity along the margins and the torn portions of the blades. The low nutritional quality of Arundo and the high quality, but ephemeral nature of Tamarix litter potentially have negative effects on stream invertebrate production owing to the quality and duration of availability of leaf litter, as compared with native riparian vegetation.
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Reduction of riparian arthropod abundance and diversity as a consequence of giant reed (Arundo donax) invasion
Biological Invasions, 2003Co-Authors: Angelica M. Herrera, Tom L. DudleyAbstract:The non-indigenous perennial grass, Arundo donax , is an aggressive invader of riparian areas throughout California and many sub-tropical regions of the world, and is hypothesized to provide poorer quality habitat for native wildlife in riparian systems. We sampled aerial and ground-dwelling insects and other terrestrial arthropods associated with Arundo , native willow vegetation ( Salix spp.), and mixtures of the two vegetation types during two seasons to determine how Arundo influences invertebrate composition in a low gradient stream in central California. The total number of organisms, total biomass and taxonomic richness of aerial invertebrates associated with native vegetation was approximately twice that associated with Arundo vegetation, while mixed vegetation supported intermediate arthropod levels. Shannon-Weaver (Weiner) diversity associated with native vegetation stands was also higher than that of Arundo vegetation. Ground-dwelling assemblages did not show differences as great as aerial assemblages which are more critical to foraging avian species. These results indicate that vegetation type is a significant factor reducing the abundance and diversity of invertebrates in this, and presumably in many other riparian ecosystems where this invasive species has become a dominant component. Arundo invasion changes the vegetation structure of riparian zones and in turn, may increasingly jeopardize its habitat value for birds and other wildlife whose diets are largely composed of insects found in native riparian vegetation.
Alan A Kirk - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Host range of the European leaf sheath mining midge, Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a biological control of giant reed, Arundo donax L.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2017Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Alexis E Racelis, Patrick J Moran, A. T. Vacek, C. Salinas, Alan A KirkAbstract:ABSTRACTThe fundamental host range of the Arundo leafminer, Lasioptera donacis a candidate agent for the invasive weed, Arundo donax was evaluated. L. donacis collects and inserts spores of a saprophytic fungus, Arthrinium arundinis, during oviposition. Larvae feed and develop in the decomposing leaf sheath channel tissue. Thirty-six closely related and economic grass species along with several key habitat associates were evaluated in no-choice tests. L. donacis and its associated saprophyte completed development only on A. donax, in concurrence with published reports from its native range in Mediterranean Europe. The Arundo leafminer feeding leads to premature defoliation, constituting a different mode of attack on the host plant as compared to two previously released insects, the Arundo wasp and Arundo scale, which feed on shoot tips and rhizomes, respectively. Defoliation of A. donax is expected to increase light penetration into stands of A. donax which increases visibility for law enforcement, reduce...
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impact of the biological control agent tetramesa romana hymenoptera eurytomidae on Arundo donax poaceae arundinoideae along the rio grande river in texas
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2016Co-Authors: John A. Goolsby, Alexis E Racelis, Patrick J Moran, Kenneth R. Summy, Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Ronald D Lacewell, Adalberto Perez A De Leon, Alan A KirkAbstract:ABSTRACTFive years post-release of the Arundo gall wasp, Tetramesa romana, into the riparian habitats of the lower Rio Grande River, changes in the health of the invasive weed, Arundo donax, or giant reed, have been documented. These changes in plant attributes are fairly consistent along the study area of 558 river miles between Del Rio and Brownsville, TX, and support the hypothesis that the Arundo wasp has had a significant impact as a biological control agent. Plant attributes were measured prior to release in 10 quadrats at each of 10 field sites in 2007, and measured again at the same undisturbed sites, 5 years after the release of T. romana, in 2014. Above ground biomass of A. donax decreased on average by 22% across the 10 sites. This decline in biomass was negatively correlated to increased total numbers of T. romana exit holes in main and lateral shoots per site in 2014 compared to 2007. Changes in biomass, live shoot density and shoot lengths, especially the positive effect of galling on main a...
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mass rearing of the stem galling wasp tetramesa romana a biological control agent of the invasive weed Arundo donax
Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms#R##N#Invertebrates and Entomopathogens, 2014Co-Authors: Patrick J Moran, Alexis E Racelis, Allen Carson Cohen, Matthew A Ciomperlik, Rod K Summy, John A. Goolsby, D. P. A. Sands, Alan A KirkAbstract:Abstract Mass rearing is underutilized in biological weed control, despite the wealth of biological information available for insects that have been released and the utility of inoculative releases using large numbers of insects to maximize establishment. Mass rearing is particularly uncommon for biological control insects that cause abnormal growths or galls in weed tissues. Galling insects are highly host-specific and have high impact potential. We developed a mass rearing system for the Arundo wasp Tetramesa romana (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), which galls shoot tips on Arundo ( Arundo donax ), also known as giant reed or carrizo cane, a nonnative, invasive giant perennial grass of riparian ecosystems that is causing major environmental and economic damage in the Lower Rio Grande Basin and other arid watersheds in North America. The protocol optimized conditions for production of vigorous Arundo shoots, wasp oviposition behavior and survival on shoot tips, gall development, and collection of progeny, amplifying the wasp population every 30–40 days for most of the year. An artificial diet induced larval feeding but did not support wasp development. Wasps mass reared on plants have established populations on Arundo along 500 km of the Rio Grande. The mass rearing procedure and underlying concepts can be applied to other weed biological control systems.
Graeme Allinson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluation of the giant reed Arundo donax in horizontal subsurface flow wetlands for the treatment of recirculating aquaculture system effluent
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2012Co-Authors: Shaharah Mohd Idris, Paul L Jones, Scott Salzman, George Croatto, Graeme AllinsonAbstract:Introduction Two emergent macrophytes, Arundo donax and Phragmites australis, were established in experimental subsurface flow, gravel-based constructed wetlands (CWs) receiving untreated recirculating aquaculture system wastewater.
