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Research Project:
DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR WEEDS WHICH ARE INVASIVE IN THE U.S. AND NATIVE TO AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
Project Number: 0210-22000-004-00
Project Type:
Appropriated
Start Date: Nov 08, 2005
End Date: Aug 31, 2010
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.
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Last Modified: 11/07/2008
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