No evidence of non-target use of native or economic grasses and broadleaf plants by Arundo donax biological control agents

ABSTRACT

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 survey was conducted in these areas to determine if there was any use of non-target plant species, especially where the biological control agents occurred at high densities. We found no non-target use in examinations of over 1500 plant specimens representing 5 native grasses, 6 introduced grasses, 2 crop grasses, and one broadleaf species. The survey included the most closely related plant species Phragmites australis, common reed, which is sympatric with A. donax in riparian habitats, and also specimens of Zizania texana, Texas wild rice, a Federally listed endangered aquatic grass species in Central Texas. The field (realised) host range of T. romana and R. donacis confirms the predicted host range of these species from quarantine host range testing.

KEYWORDS:

• (Biological control of weeds
• Tetramesa romana
• Rhizaspidiotus donacis
• carrizo cane)

Acknowledgements

We thank Reyes Garcia, III (USDA-ARS, Edinburg, TX), for assistance with field work. This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a commercial or proprietary product in this article does not constitute an endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Support was provided by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (Project 3094-32000-042-00-D), with additional support from the Department of Homeland Security-Customs and Border Protection. The authors claim no financial interest or benefit arising from the direct applications of this research.