Author
Andy W Sheppard
andy.sheppard@csiro.au
CSIRO
Canberra
Coauthors
Vincent Lesieur, INRAE, Montpellier, France
Alberto Zamprogna, CSIRO, Brisbane, Australia
Mireille Jourdan, CSIRO, Montpellier, France
Thierry Thomann, CSIRO, Montpellier, France
Jean-Pierre Lumaret, University of Montpellier II, Montpellier, France
José Serin, CSIRO, Montpellier, France
Abstract
Since 1966 the CSIRO European Laboratory in Montpellier France has undertaken the longest running native range biological control research program for Australia to manage pests and weeds of European origin. Here we review the scientific achievements and impacts of the research undertaken at this facility over the last 60 years and the associated success rates and economic and environmental beneficial impacts. Scientific achievements include:
– fundamental advances in biological control theory and practice now widely adopted by others
– understanding of the ecological basis for European plant invasions in Australian ecosystems underpinning subsequent control strategies
– first ever successfully released and impactful plant pathogen weed biological control agent
– successful full and partial control of 8 agricultural weeds leading to AU$1.43 billion in agricultural economic benefit with a BCR of 27:1, and 4 environmental weeds
– first ever comprehensive pre-border risk evaluation of a priority plant pest before its establishment in 2016 underpinning subsequent management, collection, culturing and importations of 16 dung beetle species that have helped manage livestock dung in many temperate and Mediterranean areas of Australia.
keywords
Biological control
Foreign exploration
Historical review
Pre-border risk evaluation
Weed and pest management
Highlights
Ecological basis for European plant invasions in Australian ecosystems underpin management
Successful full and partial control of 8 agricultural weeds with AU$1.43B benefit and high BCR
Fundamental advances in biological control theory and practice now widely adopted by others