Lepidapion argentatum (Photo by René Sforza) argentatum could be an efficient and safe candidate for the control of the invasive French Broom. These results, in addition to the double ability of L. argentatum to develop in stems and pods which increases its potential value as a biocontrol agent against French broom, indicate that L. Isolated fungi belong to fungal groups generally described as saprophytic fungi or opportunistic plant pathogens. Using microbial isolation and molecular methods, eight worldwide distributed fungal genera were identified and no insect pathogens. Thus, sampling seedpods, galls and adults from a native population in southern France was performed to check their sanitary status to make sure they are free from pathogens. The sanitary status of biocontrol agents must be investigated because they can carry plant and/or insect pathogens representing a risk to biodiversity and biological control success in the introduced range.
French broom pods verification#
However, several steps must be completed prior to release of an invasive weed biocontrol agent into an introduced range to guarantee its safety for the new environment: verification of the taxonomic status, study of the developmental and reproductive characteristics, host specificity tests, and determination of the sanitary status of biocontrol agents.
As part of a biological control program in the U.S., the gall-forming and seedpod weevil Lepidapion argentatum is being evaluated as a biocontrol agent.ĭamages caused by Larvae in seedpod. This weed competes with native vegetation and increases the risk of wildfires. EBCL Investigates Microbial Safety of Lepidapion argentatumĪ Biocontrol Agent of the Invasive French Broomīy Mélanie Tannières and René Sforza, European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL)įrench broom (Genista monspessulana Fabaceae) is a leguminous shrub that is an invasive alien weed in California and nearby US states, but also in South America, Australia and New Zealand.
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