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weeds@bbcaonlus.org
Ecocompatible strategies to control weeds and insect pests
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENCY
BBCA
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENCY
2024
2024
Field trip to Canary Islands (January 25- February 02, 2024)
by M. Cristofaro and F. Di Cristina
The goal of this trip was to return back at the Canary Islands in the same period of last year and for this reason we performed the trip during last week of January; unfortunately, in most of the sites we were not able to find plants at the correct phenological stages. Among the 13 sites recorded, only in 3 (one for each of the 3 islands) we found plants at young rosette stage, while blooming Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum and Cryophytum crystallinum (without any flower-feeding moth larvae) were recorded only at the new site in Tenerife. At the last year site in Fuerteventura where we recorded to root weevil, we found the damage on the roots and the tunnels in the sand. Our attempts to find the diapausing niches for the weevil (we believe that the species is overwintering at the adult stage) failed: the only adult specimen we recorded was found under a perennial plant of the Chenopodiaceae family. Our guess is that the mismatch with last year in terms of phenological conditions is due to a very dry autumn and beginning of the winter. In fact the few rosettes (in Lanzarote) and the blooming C. crystallinum and M. nodiflorum plants in Tenerife have been recorded in relatively “cold" spots.
Field report Greece (March 25-29, 2024)
by J. Kashefi and F. Marini
The BBCA team (M.Cristofaro, R. Bonopera and F. Marini) started this trip in Thessaloniki where we met J.Kashefi. Then the team split in two groups, Cristofaro - Bonopera drove to Kalabaka and Marini-Kashefi drove towards the Turkish border to visit the Tetramesa amica field sites and check if the wasp was still there, and look for new locations. We made several stops.
Nipsi: it was not possible to find galls on medusahead stems, because a large fire completely burned the site and we could not find any medusahead plants from the last season; in addition, it was too early in the season to detect any new medusahead plants.
Peplos: we found few stems with galls and collected two; nothing seemed to have changed since the last time we had been there; infestation was relatively low. Dry stems with galls were still standing, while most healthy ones were lying on the ground.
Between Nipsi and Pylaia: some grasses here were already in bloom (spikes still enclosed in the leaves); however, it was in any case too early to identify any medusahead plants. We did not find any old medusahead stems with galls.
Trip to Greece (March 25-29, 2024)
by M. Cristofaro and R. Buonopera
Started from Thessaloniki we drove to Kalambaka. Visited sites where Pachytychius sp. weevils were previously found on Bromus sterilis. Recorded infestations, collected specimens, and noted significant findings. Surveyed sites in Kalambaka and nearby areas, noting Pachytychius sp. on Hordeum murinum (wall barley) and other species. Conditions were challenging due to strong winds and cold. Cheatgrass at some locations was in early phenological stages, making identification difficult. Found signs of Mayetiola sp. damage on cheatgrass in thin soil depressions on rocky hills. Continued surveys in the Kalambaka and Kastraki regions. Investigated cheatgrass sites and rocky hills, recording Mayetiola sp. damage in some areas. Despite focused efforts, some target species were not found. Spent time scouting suitable locations for field cage plots. Showed Francesca and Javid key sites, including those with Pachytychius sp. and Mayetiola sp. Evaluated potential sites for field research, but some were deemed unsuitable due to insecticide use. Discussed logistics for establishing research plots with local contacts. Final Observations: climatic conditions in Greece were advanced by three weeks compared to typical phenology. Pachytychius sp. weevils were recorded on cheatgrass, Bromus sterilis, and wall barley. Mayetiola sp. damage was observed in rocky areas with thin soil layers, favorable for cheatgrass growth.
Field report Greece (April 23-25, 2024)
by J. Kashefi and F. Marini
Target of this trip was to investigate the biology and ecology of the wasp Tetramesa amica and its parasitoid Euritoma amicofaga. The study aims to determine the best time for collecting the wasp while avoiding its parasitoid, to establish a colony for evaluating its potential as a biological control agent for medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Starting from Thessaloniki we traveled to Alexandroupoli, where we scouted T. caput-medusae populations along the E90 highway. Medusahead populations were observed in vegetative stages, but no signs of infestation by the wasp were recorded. Set up sticky trap transects (along the highway fence) at previously verified infested sites in Peplos and Pylaia. Herbarium samples were collected in the surrounding areas. Visited two additional sites in Nipsa and Nipsi-Pylaia, where medusahead had regrown following a recent fire. However, no wasp presence was detected, likely due to the fire's impact. Checked the traps in Alexandroupoli before departing.
Trip to Greece (April 24 - May 04, 2024)
by M. Cristofaro and S. Arnone
The survey focused on collecting data on target weed species (Anisantha sterilis, cheatgrass, false barley, and poison hemlock) and their associated insects (Pachytychius sp., Stenodiplosis spp.) and pathogens (rusts, smuts).
Visited sites near Kalambaka and Kastraki, collected seeds of cheatgrass, B. sterilis, wild barley, and pathogens (rusts and smuts).In sites near Meteora and Vlachava collected grass samples, green cheatgrass spikes, and observed midge emergence from seeds. No damage by Mayetiola sp. observed in smaller plants. Near Kilkis collected rust-infected poison hemlock leaves and larvae of Ceratapion basicorne. Near Kalambaka, Kastraki and Vlachava collected cheatgrass and rust-infected leaves, found evidence of Mayetiola sp. damage on cheatgrass. Observed midge (Stenodiplosis spp.) and Pachytychius sp. larvae emergence from seeds of A. sterilis and false barley. Found significant C. basicorne larvae infestation on YST root crowns near Asklipieio and near Kalo Nero. Comments: emergence of Pachytychius sp. larvae from A. sterilis and H. murinum suggests a polyphagous species. Large numbers of Stenodiplosis spp. midges emerged from Bromus spp. seeds, possibly indicating two species. Significant rust and smut infections observed on target weeds.
Field report Greece (May 14-16, 2024)
by R. Sforza and F. Marini
Target of this trip was medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and the Biological Control Agent (BCA) Tetramesa amica. Objective: study the biology and ecology of T. amica and its parasitoid (Eurytoma amicofaga) to determine the optimal time for wasp collection while minimizing parasitoid capture. The aim is to establish a colony of T. amica for evaluation as a biological control agent for medusahead.
Field Activities: Surveyed sites in Peplos, Nipsa, and Pylaia near Alexandroupoli, Greece. Replaced sticky traps along Transects 1 and 2 in Peplos and collected galled plants for analysis. Performed morphological measurements on 30 galled plants per transect (number, position, and spike length of galls). Observed fewer galls on Transect 2 compared to Transect 1. Sites in Nipsa and Nipsi-Pylaia, impacted by fire, showed no galls but active medusahead growth.
Key Observations: Galls were reddish-purple and easy to identify during seed production stages. Transect 1 had the highest infestation density, followed by Transect 2. No galls were found at Transect 4. First record of Ventenata dubia in northeastern Greece noted at Nipsa, indicating shifting plant physiology due to global warming. Sticky traps from Alexandroupoli performed better than those from Thessaloniki. Next Steps: Analyze sticky traps and dissect galls at EBCL to measure size, position, and galling chambers. Tag and identify larvae, pupae, and adults morphologically and molecularly. Use findings to refine collection strategies for T. amica.
General Comment: the site in Peplos, especially Transect 1, is the most promising for further studies on T. amica due to the abundance of galled plants.
Fiel report Greece (July 10-13, 2024)
by F. Marini and F. Di Cristina
During this trip we visited 5 sites for the collection of Schinia cognata larvae, biological control agent of the target weed Chondrilla juncea (Rush skeletonweed, RSW). 1.Leventochori: RWS plants recently cut, but in regrowth; although the site was known for the presence of the moth (last record summer 2023), neither larvae nor adults were found or seen. 2.Pedino: RSW plants on the roadside and between the rows of fruit trees on a side road; most of the larvae collected during the trip (mainly L2-L3 and some L4 instar) were found here. 3.Paleo Agioneri: large crop area recently harvested with several RSW plants in regrowth; plants were still very young, but there were some in bloom on the roadside on which at least three S. cognata adults were observed (probably ovipositing on the flowers); collected only one larva. 4.Melissochori: new spot where two adults were recorded on RWS flowers, and four larvae collected; most of the RWS plants were in regrowth after being cut; plants were found along the roadside and in the field crop. 5.Melissochori-Migdonia: this is probably the best site in the area; RWS plants were located along the roadside, especially between the sports field and the first curve; although no adults were seen, most of the larvae collected during the trip (mostly L2-L3 instars) were found here.
Field report Slovakia (July 26-30, 2024)
by F. Marini and R. Sforza
Goal of this trip was to conduct a field survey on the presence of the target weed Ventenata dubia and its associated pathogens in the native range of northwestern Slovakia (join project BBCA-EBCL in cooperation with M. Fulcher and M. Tancos, USDA-ARS, Fort Detrick, MD). The choice of working in Slovakia was based on a record of the smut fungus Tilletia elizabethae in the area of Zemianske Podhradie (northwestern Slovakia). This smut fungus was never intentionally collected from the field but was only accidentally observed on a V. dubia voucher dated between 1860-1900. The exact location and date of collection of this herbarium specimen is unknown, and V. dubia has not been found in the area for more than 100 years, making the task to be accomplished quite challenging. The lack of more precise locations of the target makes the area of the survey particularly wide and two days were not enough. Therefore, we believe that if we want to explore the presence of pathogens on Ventenata we need to dedicate more time to survey. The timing of the survey was still good, as Ventenata was often still standing and with seeds; however, a survey 2-3 weeks earlier may increase the chances of detection. In conclusion, the survey suggests that Ventenata is extremely rare in the area of Zemianske Podhradie as is the smut.
Field report Greece (August 01-03, 2024)
by F. Di Cristina and Francesca Marini
The goal of this trip was to have a second collection of S. cognata larvae (target weed Chondrilla juncea) to perform preliminary host range testing at BBCA (no-choice test in field-cage) and to be shipped to the USDA-ARS-WRRC laboratory in Albany, CA (P. Pratt project). We visited the same sites of the previous field trip (July 10-13, 2024). A total of approximately 50 S. cognata were collected and brought back to BBCA The sites of Pedino and Melissochori - Migdonia remained the best sites to reach the goal of the trip. In both July and in August, the density of S. cognata at these two sites seemed to be the highest in the area. In addition, it seems that the collection carried out last July did not affect the moth density at the sites. At least one of the promising sites identified in July turned out to be true, although the density of the moth does not seem to be particularly high. The sites of Leventochori and Paleo Agioneri should probably be left out of the next collection scheduled for the end of August 2024.
Trip to Greece (August 26-29, 2024)
by M. Cristofaro and F. Di Cristina
This was the third trip focused on the target weed Chondrilla juncea (Rush skeletonweed, RSW). We collected totally about 110 larvae of Schinia cognata in different sites, in the same area of the previous collections (July 2024). Still on RSW we recorded (at the site of Pedino) an important attack of a root boring moth, doing a damage similar to the damage of the tortricid moth Oporopsamma wertheimsteini. The attacked plants were smaller and with less flowers than the healthy plants. According to what we know, if confirmed it would be the first record of this species in Greece. Collected a small sample (5 infested roots) to get larvae and adults for genetic and morphological identification. We also found a seed feeder (probably weevill, into the green seeds of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris, a nasty weed quite common in open habitats in dry habitats of Mediterranean Countries); collected a small sample of fruits to get larvae and adults for genetic and morphological identification.
Field report Canary Islands (November 17-28, 2024)
by M. Cristofaro and F. Di Cristina
After two unsuccessful trips in early 2024, we returned to the Canary Islands in fall, focusing on Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (CCRY) and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum (MENO). We excluded La Palma, the wettest island, and began with Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Tenerife to compare findings with past data. Fuerteventura and Tenerife sites showed plants in a senescent stage, similar to earlier observations. However, Lanzarote yielded better results: in new irrigated agricultural sites suggested by Dr. Monica Pérez, we found CCRY in seedling and flowering stages, contrasting with senescent plants in natural areas, highlighting a lack of rainfall in the eastern islands. On La Gomera, ice plants were limited to the southwest near Valle Gran Rey, with some promising sites hosting both species. In a site nearby we recorded an important attack of a stem galling wasp (?) on Arundo donax, with symptoms very similar to the attack of Tetramesa romana. Due to overbooked ferries, we skipped El Hierro and focused on Gran Canaria, which provided 15 sites with both species, five of them with excellent habitats. The island’s climate and topography, especially in the south, were favorable for these species, with plants thriving on sandy slopes. Two notable findings emerged: 1) CCRY and MENO, observed on three islands, preferred well-drained soils over wet conditions; 2) Carpobrotus edulis, typically evergreen, appeared senescent, underscoring the severity of the prolonged drought. Dr. Nuria Hernandez warned of extinction risks for some species, particularly phytophagous arthropods, due to the extreme drought. In total, we identified 33 sites across five islands, 18 of them in new locations. This progress offers hope for future insect collections, contingent on sufficient rainfall. Collaboration with experts like Dr. Pérez and timely weather updates from Canarian partners will be critical for planning future trips at optimal times, ideally a few weeks after rainfall.