Tillandsia stricta, illustration by Margaret Mee, Smithsonian InstitutionSave Florida's Native Bromeliads, Steps to Manage the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Through Classical Biological Control
 
Home
Project Summary
Florida's Bromeliads
The Weevil Threat
Biological Control
Field Studies
Educational Resources


Above illustration,
"Tillandsia stricta,"
by Margaret Mee,
© Smithsonian Institution,
used with permission.


 		   

The following table summarizes the necessary steps to be completed in a classical biological control program and shows the status of the Mexican bromeliad weevil biological control program.


Steps in Classical Biological Control Status of the Mexican Bromeliad Weevil Biological Control Program
1.) Identify the pest. Metamasius callizona.
2.) Identify the origin of the pest. Mexico and Central America.
3.) Survey for natural enemies in place of origin of the pest. Surveys have been made in Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Belize, and Guatemala. One biological control agent was found in Honduras on its host bromeliad-eating weevil, Metamasius quadrilineatus.
4.) Identify potential biological control agent. The biological control agent found in Honduras was found to be a new genus and species in the family Tachinidae. The fly was described in 2006 by Monty Wood and Ronald Cave and was given the name Lixadmontia franki, in honor of J. Howard Frank. T
5.) Import biological control agent to quarantine facility with required permits. Lixadmontia franki was imported to DPI quarantine in Gainesville in late 1999 and late 2000. Other shipments have since been received.
6.) Establish a colony of the biological control agent in quarantine. A Lixadmontia franki colony has been established in quarantine at the Indian River Research and Education Center, Ft. Pierce, Florida.
7.) Perform non-target testing in quarantine. Non-target testing shows Lixadmontia franki will parasitize Metamasius callizona and Metamasius mosieri but not Metamasius hemipterus.
8.) Apply for release permits. Permits to release the fly were received in 2007.
9.) Rear the biological control agent in large numbers. Lixadmontia franki is being reared in large numbers in quarantine at the Indian River Research and Education Center, Ft. Pierce, Florida.
10.) Release the biological control agent in areas of high pest population density. Releases and post-release monitoring have been made at several release sites. The Fly Schedule for Lixadmontia franki chronicles releases and post-release monitoring at 4 sites from June 2007 to Septmeber 2008.
11.) Evaluate effects of biological control agent. The fly has been found to survive to the F2 generation after only one release.
12.) Modify release plan and make further releases. Release and monitoring techniques are being evaluated and modified.