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We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. If you find yourself with some extra quiet time for reading, the following two articles might be of interest. Here are two links for you to published research on prospective biological control agents of hydrilla:
Effect of the hydrilla tip miner on the growth of hydrilla
Published by Cuda et al. 2011. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 49: 83-89
Brief summary:
In the early 1990s, the hydrilla tip miner was discovered in Crystal River, Citrus County, Florida. Its occurrence was associated with stunted hydrilla growth prompting researchers to examine whether there was a correlation between the presence of the insect and the reduced hydrilla biomass. Results from field and laboratory experiments demonstrated that the feeding activity of the tip miner significantly damaged the growing shoot tips of hydrilla. In tank tests, the biomass of this invasive weed was reduced by 99%.
* Would you like to know more about the senior author? Check out the biography of James P. Cuda.
Effect of the Mt fungus on hydrilla
Published by Shearer et al. 2011. Technical Note ERDC/TN APCRP-BC-24
Brief summary:
The effectiveness of the Mt fungus to impede hydrilla growth was evaluated in growth chambers and in concrete ponds. In growth chambers, application of Mt at different doses reduced hydrilla shoot biomass by 90% to 100%. The pond study showed that Mt was more effective when applied to ponds with high compared with low hydrilla densities. At high hydrilla densities, chances of this contact pathogen to infect hydrilla were greater than at low hydrilla densities.
* Would you like to know more about the senior author? Check out the biography of Judy F. Shearer.
If you have trouble opening these links, download them from our website. Or you can send us an email, and we will be happy to send you a PDF version of each article.
As always, we acknowledge the funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program (grant 2010-02825).
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