Scientists have recognized the potential for applying gene drive technologies to control of invasive species several years (1, 2), yet debate about application has been primarily restricted mosquitoes (3). Recent developments in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 technology restarted discussions using (4).

Biofuel crops, particularly using non-native species, must be introduced with an understanding of possible risks to the environment.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) has been used as a model organism to develop and test important ecological evolutionary concepts is also major pest of grain products globally. This beetle species assumed be good colonizer storages through anthropogenic movement grain, active dispersal by flight considered unlikely. Studies using T. have therefore confined or walking insects. We combine an study with analysis gene flow microsatellites investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics adult in landscape...

The flight of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), near storages and at distances from them, was investigated to assess potential these beetles infest spread insecticide resistance genes. We caught R. in pheromone-baited traps (and blank controls) set storages, fields away native vegetation across a 12-mo period. A functional highly polymorphic microsatellite markers developed, enabling population genetic analyses on trapped beetles. Pheromone-baited just as many adults least 1...

Abstract Aim Resolving the origin of invasive plant species is important for understanding introduction histories successful invaders and aiding strategies aimed at their management. This study to infer number origin(s) globally species, Macfadyena unguis ‐ cati Jatropha gossypiifolia using molecular data. Location Native range: Neotropics; Invaded North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands Australia. Methods We used chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) elucidate introduced...

Plant species, populations and communities are under threat from climate change, invasive pathogens, weeds habitat fragmentation. Despite considerable research effort invested in genome engineering for crop improvement, the development of genetic tools management wild plant has rarely been given detailed consideration. Gene drive systems that allow direct via spread fitness-altering modifications could be great utility. However, despite rapid synthetic their enormous promise, little explicit...

Abstract In Queensland, three tomato ( Lycopersicon lycopersicum ) cultivars, Grosse Lisse, Roma and Cherry, are infested by Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt). this study, we examined if there was a correlation between oviposition preference offspring performance of B. among the cultivars. We also investigated host plant traits that may explain any variation in performance. Choice no‐choice experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions. A positive observed Lisse...

Abstract The prioritisation of potential agents on the basis likely efficacy is an important step in biological control because it can increase probability a successful biocontrol program, and reduce risks costs. In this introductory paper we define success control, review how agent selection has been approached historically, outline approach to that underpins structure special issue selection. Developing criteria by which judge (or program) provides for decisions. Criteria will depend weed,...

D avis AS & R aghu S (2010). Weighing abiotic and biotic influences on weed seed predation. Weed Research 50 ,402–412. Summary predation is an important ecosystem service supporting management in low‐external‐input agroecosystems. Current knowledge of focuses mechanisms, with less undersatanding the relative impact variables. In order to quantify contributions variables rates, a field study was made within maize crop central Illinois, USA, 2005 2006. From late July through mid‐October,...

Abstract Understanding plant demography and response to herbivory is critical the selection of effective weed biological control agents. We adopt metaphor ‘filters’ suggest how agent prioritisation may be improved narrow our choices down those likely most in achieving desired management outcome. Models can serve capture level knowledge (or ignorance) about study system we illustrate one type modelling approach (matrix models) useful identifying weak link a life cycle by using hypothetical an...

Abstract This paper presents a new approach to vectoring jet thrust using miniature fluidic actuator that provided spatially distributed mass addition. The actuators used had no moving parts and produced oscillatory flow with square wave form at frequencies up 1·6kHz. A subsonic an exit diameter of 3·81cm was controlled single dual actuators, each equivalent circular 1·06mm. nozzle operated pressures between 20·68 165·47kPa. objectives the present work included documentation actuation...

Background Interest in the cultivation of biomass crops like C4 grass Miscanthus x giganteus (Miscanthus) is increasing as global demand for biofuel grows. In US, promoted a crop well-suited to Corn Belt where it could be cultivated on marginal land interposed with maize and soybean. Interactions (direct indirect) Miscanthus, maize, major pest western corn rootworm, (Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, WCR) are unknown. Adding perennial grass/biomass this system concerning since WCR adapted...

Abstract The intensity of seed predation the invasive tropical legume Leucaena leucocephala by bruchid Acanthoscelides macropthalmus was investigated in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia. number seeds damaged A. as a proportion total available found to increase longer pods remained on tree. Seed ranged from mean 10.75% that plant for 1 month and increased 53.54% 4 months. low populations at high pod densities results ‘predator satiation’. However, dehisce over time correspondingly...