Short Course Presentation With Narration
6
9/28/2020 1 Flea Beetles and the Nationwide Fight Against Alligatorweed Flea Beetles and the Nationwide Fight Against Alligatorweed US Army Corps of Engineers, Invasive Species Management Jacksonville District US Army Corps of Engineers, Invasive Species Management Jacksonville District Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) 1897 1. Inhibit water flow 2. Threat to navigation and recreation 3. Displace native plants Photo Credit: B. Sanchez Historic Research on Biological Control Historic Research on Biological Control In 1959, USACE began funding research on the possible biological control of Alligatorweed. 1960-1971: Several ARS entomologists searched in South America for natural enemies of Alligatorweed. 40 insect species fed naturally on alligatorweed 5 species had significant impact on the plant. 3 of those were suitable for safe introduction into the US. In 1959, USACE began funding research on the possible biological control of Alligatorweed. 1960-1971: Several ARS entomologists searched in South America for natural enemies of Alligatorweed. 40 insect species fed naturally on alligatorweed 5 species had significant impact on the plant. 3 of those were suitable for safe introduction into the US. Photo Credit: J. Fair Photo Credit: USDA Photo Credit: USDA Flea Beetle Thrips Stem Borer 1 2 3
Transcript of Short Course Presentation With Narration
9/28/2020
1
Flea Beetles and the Nationwide Fight Against Alligatorweed
Flea Beetles and the Nationwide Fight Against Alligatorweed
US Army Corps of Engineers, Invasive Species Management
Jacksonville District
US Army Corps of Engineers, Invasive Species Management
Jacksonville District
Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)
1897
1. Inhibit water flow2. Threat to navigation and recreation3. Displace native plants
Photo Credit : B. Sanchez
Historic Research on Biological ControlHistoric Research on Biological Control
In 1959, USACE began funding research on the possible biological control of Alligatorweed.
1960-1971: Several ARS entomologists searched in South America for natural enemies of Alligatorweed.
40 insect species fed naturally on alligatorweed 5 species had significant impact on the plant.
3 of those were suitable for safe introduction into the US.
In 1959, USACE began funding research on the possible biological control of Alligatorweed.
1960-1971: Several ARS entomologists searched in South America for natural enemies of Alligatorweed.
40 insect species fed naturally on alligatorweed 5 species had significant impact on the plant.
3 of those were suitable for safe introduction into the US.
Photo Credit : J. Fair
Photo Credit : USDA
Photo Credit : USDA
Flea Beetle Thrips
Stem Borer
1
2
3
9/28/2020
2
Agasicles hygrophilaAgasicles hygrophila
Adult beetles emerge in spring, and females lay ~1,100 eggs during their lifetime.
There are 4-6 generations per year, and the last generation adults overwinter among the roots and stems of waterbodymargins.
Adults are found in large numbers in mid to late Spring on the St Johns River.
Adult beetles emerge in spring, and females lay ~1,100 eggs during their lifetime.
There are 4-6 generations per year, and the last generation adults overwinter among the roots and stems of waterbodymargins.
Adults are found in large numbers in mid to late Spring on the St Johns River.
Photo Credit : USDA
History of USACE’s Alligatorweed Biocontrol Release Program
History of USACE’s Alligatorweed Biocontrol Release Program
USACE used to spend millions of dollars treating Alligatorweed with herbicides.
Today, no USACE money is spent on the herbicide treatment of Alligatorweed.
Since 1981, USACE has been conducting annual flea beetle collections.
USACE used to spend millions of dollars treating Alligatorweed with herbicides.
Today, no USACE money is spent on the herbicide treatment of Alligatorweed.
Since 1981, USACE has been conducting annual flea beetle collections.
AlligatorweedBiological Control Program
AlligatorweedBiological Control Program
Flea beetles cannot surv ive the winter in most other states like they can in Florida.
Many states in the Southeast struggle with controlling Alligatorweed.
Jacksonville District has been funded by the Aquatic Plant Control Research Program since 1981 to conduct annual flea beetle collections to control infestations throughout the US.
Flea beetles cannot surv ive the winter in most other states like they can in Florida.
Many states in the Southeast struggle with controlling Alligatorweed.
Jacksonville District has been funded by the Aquatic Plant Control Research Program since 1981 to conduct annual flea beetle collections to control infestations throughout the US.
4
5
6
9/28/2020
3
Surveying & LookalikesSurveying & Lookalikes
Alligatorweed flea beetle
Western striped cucumber beetleCitrus root weevil
Flea Beetle Collections Over timeFlea Beetle Collections Over time
114,300
33,000
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Flea Beetles Collected 1981-2020
Flea Beetle Collection Sites 2020Flea Beetle Collection Sites 2020
Lake Dexter
Lake Woodruff
25 miles west of Daytona Beach
2-5 acre mats of alligator weed were scattered throughout
25 miles west of Daytona Beach
2-5 acre mats of alligator weed were scattered throughout
7
8
9
9/28/2020
4
2020 Collection & Sorting
Collected April 6-7, 2020.
Starting at 10:30 am, stopping around 1pm.
Sorting & shipment occurred the following morning after collection.
Shipment & NumbersShipment & Numbers
In 2020, about 33,000 beetles were collected and shipped to 9 different agencies across 6 states.
In 2020, about 33,000 beetles were collected and shipped to 9 different agencies across 6 states.
15000
52004000 4000
2400 2400
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
NC AR SC TX AL LA
Num
ber o
f Bee
tles S
hipp
ed
Beetles Shipped by State in 2020
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
Beetles Shipped by Agency in 2020
Release HighlightRelease Highlight
North Carolina ~4,000 beetles were sent to Three Sister’s
swamp, a park which contains some of the oldest cypress t rees in the nation. The Nature Conservancy of NC created a social media highlight detailing their flea beetle release event, reaching their 20,000+ followers on Instagram.
North Carolina ~4,000 beetles were sent to Three Sister’s
swamp, a park which contains some of the oldest cypress t rees in the nation. The Nature Conservancy of NC created a social media highlight detailing their flea beetle release event, reaching their 20,000+ followers on Instagram.
10
11
12
9/28/2020
5
Release HighlightRelease Highlight The NC Dept of Agriculture &
Consumer Sciences
500 beetles sent to the Beneficial Insect Lab to jump start a flea beetle colony for local releases.
The NC Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences
500 beetles sent to the Beneficial Insect Lab to jump start a flea beetle colony for local releases.
Impacts from COVID-19
Impacts from COVID-19
Practiced social distancing both indoors and in the field.
Some recipients were unable to receive beetles due to telework requirements or temporary furloughs.
Had to contact volunteers for insect collection. Travel ban prevented some USACE employees from traveling to Palatka.
Practiced social distancing both indoors and in the field.
Some recipients were unable to receive beetles due to telework requirements or temporary furloughs.
Had to contact volunteers for insect collection. Travel ban prevented some USACE employees from traveling to Palatka.
Education & OutreachEducation & Outreach
Front
Back
13
14
15
9/28/2020
6
Future Plans & GoalsFuture Plans & Goals
Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) Collaboration Efficacy studies
Small-scale rearing tanks for alligatorweed flea beetles.
Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) Collaboration Efficacy studies
Small-scale rearing tanks for alligatorweed flea beetles.
Questions?Questions?
Are you interested in receiving beetles? Feel free to contact me!
Chelsea [email protected](904) 232 - 2263
Are you interested in receiving beetles? Feel free to contact me!
Chelsea [email protected](904) 232 - 2263
16
17
18
