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Tiny Beetles Wage War on Invasive Vines
23 Aug
Summary
- A tiny leaf-eating beetle controls aggressive air potato vines.
- Researchers released 16 beetles in 2012, leading to thousands.
- Beetles reduced air potato foliage by 82% and bulbils by 98%.
In Florida, scientists are utilizing a unique biological warfare strategy against the invasive air potato vine, a vigorous plant that smothers native vegetation. This approach involves introducing the air potato's natural enemy: a specific leaf-eating beetle, Lilioceris cheni. The success of this method was first demonstrated in March 2012 at Long Key Natural Area, where researchers released just 16 beetles.
Within months, these beetles reproduced into the thousands, causing nearly complete defoliation of the air potato vines in the release area. Extensive testing confirmed the beetle's host specificity, ensuring it would not harm native plants. Between 2012 and 2015, over 429,000 beetles were released statewide, establishing at most infested sites.
Observations showed dramatic results, with beetle feeding causing up to 82% foliar damage and reducing bulbil density by 98%. This allowed native plants to re-emerge. In 2021, a second beetle, Lilioceris egena, was approved to target the plant's bulbils, further enhancing the biological control program.
