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Q&A ViewAttendees 2

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Student Competition 10-Minute Paper

Grad P-IE: Biocontrol - Parasitoids

Field densities and natural enemy exclusion studies of the roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis) in the native and adventive ranges

Monday, November 1, 2021
10:42 AM - 10:54 AM MT
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room 108-110
In-Person Student Competition

    Presenting Author(s)

  • TS

    Tanner Sparks

    Louisiana State University
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Rodrigo Diaz

    Louisiana State University
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • AC

    Amado Cortez

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • Hannah J. Broadley

    USDA-APHIS
    Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

  • SH

    Shaw-Yhi Hwang

    National Chung Hsing University
    Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Nipponaclerda biwakoensis is an invasive scale found in the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) and parts of southern Louisiana. Its host, the common reed (Phragmites australis), is the dominant vegetation of the MRD providing numerous ecological benefits. Dense infestations of the scale are implicated in the die-back of Phragmites observed since 2016. In Louisiana, there are currently three non-native species of encyrtid parasitoid wasps that attack the scale. Working with collaborators in Taiwan, we collected data on scale population metrics, host plant health, and parasitism rates through field survey sites in both the MRD and the scale’s native range in Taiwan. Following the enemy release hypothesis, we would expect the population density of N. biwakoensis to be lower in Taiwan due to the higher numbers of natural enemies coevolved in the native range. Natural enemy exclusion studies were performed at experimental sites in both countries to test this hypothesis. Scale infested Phragmites were placed into treatment groups of total natural enemy exclusion, predator exclusion with parasitoid inclusion, or open access for predators and parasitoids. Effects of natural enemy exclusion on population dynamics and host plant health were compared within sites and countries. Results of the studies will be discussed in the context of the management of the scale in Louisiana.