A5072570684- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Plant Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties
- Botany and Geology in Latin America and Caribbean
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Silymarin and Mushroom Poisoning
AgResearch
2020-2025
Nassella neesiana (Chilean needle grass) reduces farm profitability through its sharp seeds that damage wool, skins, hides and carcasses. It poses a biosecurity risk in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay region due to seed dispersal via gravel crushed aggregate from braided rivers. This study evaluated flotation sieving remove both dry imbibed panicle seeds. We measured their length, width, mass, flotation, passage sieves with without the awn (a hygroscopic, bristle-like structure). The awned were,...
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner (variegated thistle, milk thistle) is one of the worst weeds hill country pasture in east coast regions New Zealand. As part an initial investigation into potential for biocontrol, a survey phytophagous insects associated with S. Zealand was carried out at 16 populations from 29 November to December 2021. Phytophagous associations were determined by collecting on plant and seedhead dissections. The species collected grouped three categories: 'specialists',...
The leaf-feeding beetle, Cassida rubiginosa, is an oligophagous biocontrol agent capable of feeding on most species in the tribe Cardueae (thistles and knapweeds). beetle was released New Zealand 2007, primarily to control Cirsium arvense (Californian thistle), with recognition that it had potential multiple thistle weeds. objective this study test impact different densities rubiginosa larvae (0, 50, 100, or 200 per plant) growth reproductive performance annual weed, Carduus pycnocephalus...
The thistle biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa is established in New Zealand, but often not sufficiently abundant to achieve control of the weed, Cirsium arvense (Californian thistle). Mass production beetle could enhance efforts through supplemental and inundative releases. We carried out an initial test a semiartificial diet (containing host plant material) designed for laboratory mass beetle. Larval survival rates were tested on diets with three different concentrations preservatives...