Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges
Authors
Marini, Francesca
Weyl, Philip

Vidović, Biljana

Petanović, Radmila
Littlefield, Jeffrey
Simoni, Sauro
de Lillo, Enric
Cristofaro, Massimo

Smith, Lincoln
Article (Published version)
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A classical biological control agent is an exotic host-specific natural enemy, which is intentionally introduced to obtain long-term control of an alien invasive species. Among the arthropods considered for this role, eriophyid mites are likely to possess the main attributes required: Host specificity, efficacy, and long-lasting effects. However, so far, only a few species have been approved for release. Due to their microscopic size and the general lack of knowledge regarding their biology and behavior, working with eriophyids is particularly challenging. Furthermore, mites disperse in wind, and little is known about biotic and abiotic constraints to their population growth. All these aspects pose challenges that, if not properly dealt with, can make it particularly difficult to evaluate eriophyids as prospective biological control agents and jeopardize the general success of control programs. We identified some of the critical aspects of working with eriophyids in classical biologica...l control of weeds and focused on how they have been or may be addressed. In particular, we analyzed the importance of accurate mite identification, the difficulties faced in the evaluation of their host specificity, risk assessment of nontarget species, their impact on the weed, and the final steps of mite release and post-release monitoring.
Keywords:
Eriophyidae / Host plant specificity / Impact / Invasive alien plants / Post-release monitoring / Release / Risk assessment / TaxonomySource:
Insects, 2021, 12, 6, 513-Publisher:
- MDPI AG
DOI: 10.3390/insects12060513
ISSN: 2075-4450
WoS: 000666694900001
Scopus: 2-s2.0-85107781535
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Poljoprivredni fakultetTY - JOUR AU - Marini, Francesca AU - Weyl, Philip AU - Vidović, Biljana AU - Petanović, Radmila AU - Littlefield, Jeffrey AU - Simoni, Sauro AU - de Lillo, Enric AU - Cristofaro, Massimo AU - Smith, Lincoln PY - 2021 UR - http://aspace.agrif.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5876 AB - A classical biological control agent is an exotic host-specific natural enemy, which is intentionally introduced to obtain long-term control of an alien invasive species. Among the arthropods considered for this role, eriophyid mites are likely to possess the main attributes required: Host specificity, efficacy, and long-lasting effects. However, so far, only a few species have been approved for release. Due to their microscopic size and the general lack of knowledge regarding their biology and behavior, working with eriophyids is particularly challenging. Furthermore, mites disperse in wind, and little is known about biotic and abiotic constraints to their population growth. All these aspects pose challenges that, if not properly dealt with, can make it particularly difficult to evaluate eriophyids as prospective biological control agents and jeopardize the general success of control programs. We identified some of the critical aspects of working with eriophyids in classical biological control of weeds and focused on how they have been or may be addressed. In particular, we analyzed the importance of accurate mite identification, the difficulties faced in the evaluation of their host specificity, risk assessment of nontarget species, their impact on the weed, and the final steps of mite release and post-release monitoring. PB - MDPI AG T2 - Insects T1 - Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges IS - 6 SP - 513 VL - 12 DO - 10.3390/insects12060513 ER -
@article{ author = "Marini, Francesca and Weyl, Philip and Vidović, Biljana and Petanović, Radmila and Littlefield, Jeffrey and Simoni, Sauro and de Lillo, Enric and Cristofaro, Massimo and Smith, Lincoln", year = "2021", abstract = "A classical biological control agent is an exotic host-specific natural enemy, which is intentionally introduced to obtain long-term control of an alien invasive species. Among the arthropods considered for this role, eriophyid mites are likely to possess the main attributes required: Host specificity, efficacy, and long-lasting effects. However, so far, only a few species have been approved for release. Due to their microscopic size and the general lack of knowledge regarding their biology and behavior, working with eriophyids is particularly challenging. Furthermore, mites disperse in wind, and little is known about biotic and abiotic constraints to their population growth. All these aspects pose challenges that, if not properly dealt with, can make it particularly difficult to evaluate eriophyids as prospective biological control agents and jeopardize the general success of control programs. We identified some of the critical aspects of working with eriophyids in classical biological control of weeds and focused on how they have been or may be addressed. In particular, we analyzed the importance of accurate mite identification, the difficulties faced in the evaluation of their host specificity, risk assessment of nontarget species, their impact on the weed, and the final steps of mite release and post-release monitoring.", publisher = "MDPI AG", journal = "Insects", title = "Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges", number = "6", pages = "513", volume = "12", doi = "10.3390/insects12060513" }
Marini, F., Weyl, P., Vidović, B., Petanović, R., Littlefield, J., Simoni, S., de Lillo, E., Cristofaro, M.,& Smith, L.. (2021). Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges. in Insects MDPI AG., 12(6), 513. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060513
Marini F, Weyl P, Vidović B, Petanović R, Littlefield J, Simoni S, de Lillo E, Cristofaro M, Smith L. Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges. in Insects. 2021;12(6):513. doi:10.3390/insects12060513 .
Marini, Francesca, Weyl, Philip, Vidović, Biljana, Petanović, Radmila, Littlefield, Jeffrey, Simoni, Sauro, de Lillo, Enric, Cristofaro, Massimo, Smith, Lincoln, "Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges" in Insects, 12, no. 6 (2021):513, https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060513 . .