Project Number: 6629-22000-009-38
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2008
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
To survey for classical biological control agents in the native range of Schinus Terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper) with the goal reducing the economic importance of this invasive species in the U.S.

Approach:
Candidate insects, mites, or diseases will be found by searching the literature and museum collections and by original field surveys. Prioritization of candidates will be based on host range, biology and ecology, according to published criteria and in consultation with the ADODR. The critical host range determinations will be evaluated from literature and museum research, collections on S. terebinthifolius, and other Schinus species, and on other plant genera and families in the field and in formal laboratory tests.