August 2020 Webinar: Establishment and parasitism of a biological control agent скачать в хорошем качестве

August 2020 Webinar: Establishment and parasitism of a biological control agent

Establishment and parasitism of a biological control agent released to control Clidemia hirta (Koster’s curse) along elevational gradients Presentation by Ellyn Bitume. Biological control can be an effective way to restore ecological balance and achieve long-term control of an invasive species. Clidemia hirta, otherwise known as Koster’s curse, has been a nuisance in Hawaii for decades. Many different insects have been released since the 1950’s in an attempt to control this invasive plant that forms monocultures and displaces native plant species in Hawaiian forests. Here we investigate the establishment of a moth, Mompha trithalama, released in Hawaii in 1995 along three different transects of similar elevational gradients. We also attempt to quantify rates of parasitism of the moth and determine if moth establishment along the elevational gradient exhibits seasonal variation in Hawaii. We hope to use this information to compare establishment success and impact of future biological control agents released against C. hirta. Original recording created on August 26, 2020.