2006 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and South Florida Water Management District. Additional details of research can be found in the report in the parent project 6629-22000-009-00D Development & evaluation of biological control agents for invasive species threatening the everglades & other natural and managed systems. Melaleuca quinquenervia or melaleuca is an invasive tree species in south Florida which displaces native vegetation in natural areas, e.g. the Everglades, with expansive melaleuca only forests. This weed species reduces biodiversity and thereby the health of the environment. When located near urban areas it creates fire and health risks. This project evaluates the safety of release of biological control agents of melaleuca in Florida and the western hemisphere. The introduction of a suite of safe agents would reduce seed production of older trees and curtail the invasion of new seedlings. Three potential agents reside in quarantine: Fergusonina turneri, a bud-galling fly, permitted for release and being cultured for release; Lophodiplosis trifida, a stem-galling fly, undergoing final testing; and, Haplonyx multicolor, a bud-feeding weevil, recently received and being colonized for testing in late 2006 through 2009. A petition for release of L. trifida will be submitted to APHIS TAG in September 2006. New insect agents are being evaluated in Australia. The moth, Poliopaschia lithochlora, has leaf-feeding larvae which heavily damage saplings. Research is concentrating on the field host preferences of this insect. Attempts are also being made to colonize two gall flies, Lophodiplosis bidentata and Lophodiplosis indentata, and the stem-boring Cerambycid, Rhytphora sp.