Study

Integrated weed management: effect of herbicide choice and timing of application on the survival of a biological control agent of the tropical wetland weed, Mimosa pigra

  • Published source details Paynter Q. (2003) Integrated weed management: effect of herbicide choice and timing of application on the survival of a biological control agent of the tropical wetland weed, Mimosa pigra. Biological Control, 26, 162-167.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Delay herbicide use

Action Link
Natural Pest Control
  1. Delay herbicide use

    A randomised, replicated, controlled study in 2000 in Darwin, Australia (Paynter 2003) found more green twig-mining moths Neurostrota gunniella (natural enemies of the weed mimosa Mimosa pigra) survived when herbicide treatment to kill mimosa plants was delayed. Survival of green twig-mining moths was similar in herbicide-treated plots vs. untreated controls when herbicides were applied 23 days (51-61 vs. 48% of larvae survived to become adults) after moth egg laying, but survival was lower in the herbicide-treated plots when treated at 9 days (0-8% vs. 49%) or 16 days (5-30% vs. 80%) days since eggs were laid. Green twig-mining moth survival was similar for the three types of herbicide. Adult green twig-mining moths were released on 29 August to lay eggs on mimosa plants. Fluroxypyr, tebuthiuron and metsulfuron methyl herbicides were then applied at 9, 16 and 23 days after egg-laying. Treatments were tested in 5 x 5 m plots, each containing 20 mimosa plants grown in 30 cm-diameter pots. The number of larvae found before herbicides were applied was estimated from the number of leaflets mined by larvae. After herbicide treatment all emerging adult moths were collected using nets placed over the plants.

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