Development of an inundative, aerial release technique for the arundo wasp, biological control agent of the invasive Arundo donax L.

摘要

A box aerial-release system has been developed for the mass release of the arundo wasp, Tetramesa romana Walker, a biological control agent of giant reed, Arundo donax L., an invasive weed of waterways and riparian areas in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Because A. donax infests lengthy stretches of remote areas inaccessible by vehicle, an aerial release system may be the best way to disseminate biological control agents. The release system involves a paper box that can be easily loaded with chilled, immobile insects. The box opens upon contact with blades installed on a chute in the floor of an airplane. Preliminary tests in the field demonstrated the effectiveness of this system. All boxes recovered after test releases were successfully opened by the release chutes. Post-release emergence rates of insects were great and insect mortality rates were low, especially at moderate ambient temperatures (20-25 degrees C). The box aerial-release system proves to be an appropriate method for release, especially at the early stages of an inundative biological control program for A. donax.Digital Object Identifier http://dx.doi.org/10.3958/059.035.0401