Objective:
To search for, identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential biological control agents for use against weeds of Australian an Southeast Asian origin, with emphasis on weeds which are invasive to South Florida.

Approach:
Target weeds include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium microphyllum and other weeds endemic to Australia and Southeast Asia. Natural enemies will be identified by searching the literature and museum collections and by original field surveys. Candidate biological control agents will be evaluated in the laboratory, as well as in the field. Prioritization of candidates will be based upon host range, as well as biological and ecological studies, according to published criteria. Candidates deemed most promising for use against weeds invasive to the United States will be shipped to appropriate Stateside quarantine facilities.