Weed Biological Control Training Program at BCRCL

Goal: The exchange visitors and summer students will have theoretical and field experience to major issues involving the practice of weed biological control.

Theory  

1. Sakai et al .2001. The population biology of invasive species. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 32: 305-332.

2.  Pearson, D. E. and R. M. Callaway. 2003. Indirect effect of host-specific biological control agents. TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution. 18: 456-461.

3. Gordon, D. R. 1998. Effects of invasive. non-indigenous plant species on ecosystems processes: lessons from Florida. Ecological Applications. 8: 975-989.

4 . McFadyen, R. E. 1998.­ Biological control of weeds. Annual Review of Entomology. 43: 369-393

Skills

1. Host Specificity testing

• Non-target plant list. Use of genetics to find native range of plants.
• Development Non-choice test.  
• Oviposition non-choice and choice test.
• Open field studies.

2. Non-Target Impacts of released agents

• Monitoring damage in non-targets plants.
• What effect will have an outbreak of the biocontrol agent in local food web (wetland, grassland, rangeland, etc.)?

3. Monitoring of population dynamics

• Transect sampling

4. Mapping of organisms

• GPS use in weed biocontrol
• Applications of Google Earth in mapping the presence of organisms

5. Maintenance of biocontrol agent cultures

• Host plant quality
• Agent’s biology and its importance for mass production

6. Public awareness: Non-technical publications

• EDIS publication

7. Perform individual experiments

• Develop experiments
• Data analysis
• Presentation of results

Opportunities

• Take classes at IRREC and IRCC
• Prepare exams for Graduate School: TOEFL and GRE
• Attend local conferences on Entomology and Invasive Species
• Participate in community work involving biological control and invasive species

Rodrigo Diaz
Biological Control Research & Containment Laboratory

2199 South Rock Road

Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138

Phone: 772-467-6029 Ext.228

Fax:     772-468-3973

Email: rrdg@ufl.edu