The role of solitary population waves in efficient suppression of adventive weeds by introduced phytophagous insects

Abstract

Successful introduction and application of phytophagous insects to control invading weeds is a complex systemic process based on formation of solitary population waves (SPW) of phytophages. Consequently, each stage from selection to release of the biological control agent should pursue the objective of the wave formation. When selecting a biological control agent one should choose species among phylogenetically young “juvenile taxa,” which are capable of forming a solitary population wave upon introduction. The initial phytophage population increase, preceding the wave emergence, requires special conditions, in particular a high density of the weed in the release areas. The SPW restores the natural succession previously arrested by the weed, allowing the native plants to overgrow the weed completely.