This presentation will discuss the effects of native organism systems on five common invasive non-native plants, i.e. bioeradication. Research over the last several years has shown that native organism systems are beginning to eradicate various invasive non-native plants from local ecosystems in central Pennsylvania and nearby states. This is very different than the magic bullet approach of biocontrol in that it relies on mutualistic native systems instead of a single non-native organism. The concept is based on Darwinian evolution over the (extended) period of time it takes a system to develop. Naturally, this approach is slower than biocontrol. However, instead of “control” with all the potential consequences of introducing another non-native into an ecosystem, the goal is extinction of the target non-native with lower ecosystem risk and lower negative environmental impact.

1. Bioeradication:
research and insights on five
common invasive plants in central
Pennsylvania
Richard Gardner
rtgardner3@yahoo.com
http://www.slideshare.net/rtgardner3
https://independent.academia.edu/RichardTGardner

2. NENHC
April 2015
Springfield, Massachusetts

3. Abstract: This presentation will discuss the effects of native
organism systems on five common invasive non-native plants,
i.e. bioeradication. Research over the last several years has
shown that native organism systems are beginning to eradicate
various invasive non-native plants from local ecosystems in
central Pennsylvania and nearby states. This is very different
than the magic bullet approach of biocontrol in that it relies on
mutualistic native systems instead of a single non-native
organism. The concept is based on Darwinian evolution over
the (extended) period of time it takes a system to develop.
Naturally, this approach is slower than biocontrol. However,
instead of “control” with all the potential consequences of
introducing another non-native into an ecosystem, the goal is
extinction of the target non-native with lower ecosystem risk and
lower negative environmental impact.

4. Article 1, section 27 of Pennsylvania’s
constitution:
“The people have a right to clean air, pure
water, and to the preservation of the natural,
scenic, historic and esthetic values of the
environment. Pennsylvania's public natural
resources are the common property of all the
people, including generations yet to come. As
trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth
shall conserve and maintain them for the
benefit of all the people.”

5. Ailanthus altissima
Lonicera japonica
Lonicera maacki
Lonicera morrowii
Rosa multiflora

6. Walk more
Tinker less

7. Common name: Tree-of-heaven
Scientific name: Ailanthus altissima
Origin: China
Local habitat: prefers the edge of wooded areas and open fields even though it will
grow in wooded areas where light reaches the forest floor.
Identifying features: Dioecious tree with odd pinnate compound leaves with blade-like
leaflets which are opposite. Leaflets have one pair to several pairs of teeth
toward the proximal end. Each tooth has a gland on the distal end of the point.
The odor is unmistakable. Clusters of seeds are attached throughout the winter.
Bark has a grey harlequin pattern to it.
Reproduction: wind borne seeds and root clones when injured
Bioeradication system:
insects - Atteva aurea, the Ailanthus webworm, is a native moth whose larvae
feed on Simaroubaceae family members in the American south and Aculops
ailanthii, an eriophyoid mite. Both are specialists to Ailanthus altissima in
temperate areas.
diseases – Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. perniciosum , Fusarium lateritium, Fusarium
solani , Verticillium nonalfalfae, and other diseases.
flowers – A. aurea prefers compact inflorescences such as Asteraceae
and Lamiaceae.

8. The key to encouraging the system is to plant
native wildflowers which have inflorescences
close to stands of Ailanthus to serve as nectar
sources for adult A. aurea. In central
Pennsylvania flowers such as Solidago sp.,
Verbesinia sp. and Rudbeckia sp. are good nectar
sources which bloom successively from early
summer to hard frost.

9. My understanding it that A. ailanthii is primarily
spread phoretically (hitchhikes) on A. aurea and
secondarily by wind. Besides feeding on
Ailanthus, A. aurea and probably A. ailanthii
carry diseases which harm and/or kill Ailanthus.

10. Once a disease such as F. oxysporum or V.
nonalfalfae infects one tree in a stand, others
will be infected through the extensive network
of interconnected root grafts common to stands
of Ailanthus.

11. Note: Euwallacea validus, an ambrosia beetle
which leaves tubes of white frass on the outside
of Ailanthus trees, is an indication that the tree
is weakened by disease or pesticide (Drill and Fill
for example). It is not a carrier of disease but
infests a tree after it is weakened.

12. Ailanthus altissima

18. female tree in winter with some of the seeds still
attached

19. glands

21. Disease

22. Disease is characterized by chlorosis, bare
branches and later by peeling bark. Eventually
the trees fall.
The trees in these slides will be some of the
sources of disease for this year’s experiments.

23. diseased trees

26. chlorotic leaves

34. Aculops ailanthii

35. Signs of A. ailanthii
1.) claw shaped leaves
2.) distorted rumpled looking leaves
3.) spotted chlorosis which is usually yellow but
sometimes looks dusty white
4.) mites can be seen with a strong hand held
magnifier or a highly magnified macro setting
on a camera as small brown dashes on the
underside of leaves.

36. Aculops ailanthii

39. claw shaped leaves caused by A. ailanthii

44. Atteva aurea

51. webs
chlorosis

52. heavily infested with A. aurea larvae
tree with chlorotic leaves

53. Multi-generation webs which
will eventually defoliate these
young trees.
chlorosis

58. eggs
larva going into the pupa phase
chew marks
made by
larvae

59. Atteva aurea with the probable
presence of Aculops ailanthii

69. Complexity

70. A. ailanthii
A. aurea larva
A. ailanthii

71. A. aurea larva web
A. ailanthii
other herbivory,
possibly grasshopper
chlorotic
leaves

72. Ailanthus trees with dozens of A. aurea webs,
A. ailanthii in proximity, disease, half dead
trees from prior year and Rudbeckia laciniata
nearby as a nectar source for adults.

73. Other

74. deer browsed young tree

76. Euwallacea validus
infested tree after
it was killed by Drill
and Fill.
Note the white
tubes protruding
from the bark.

77. Drill and Fill
1. Drill a 3/8” hole 1-2” deep every 2” around the
trunk.
2. Spray in 50.2% glyphosate (purple cap Roundup®).
3. Repeat for all obvious roots leaving the trunk.
This method may be done from the time the tree is
leaving dormancy to a couple weeks before dormancy
and possibly during dormancy.

78. Common name: Japanese honeysuckle
Scientific name: Lonicera japonica
Origin: Asia
Local habitat: prefers the edge of wooded areas and open woodlands, even though it
will grow in forests
Reproduction: Cloning and bird distributed seeds.
Identifying features: Elliptic shaped leaves opposite on climbing vines. Distinct flowers
with a sweet odor when in bloom. Prefers shaded edges of wooded areas with a
substrate of brush and small trees on which to climb. Low growing quilt of vines
covering the ground and low plants and shaggy vines up to 1” thick which climb
around the trunks of trees.
Bioeradication system:
There is extensive insect herbivory and apparent disease as evidenced by
chlorotic leaves and dying stands in central Pennsylvania. Most probably the
disease is a form of powdery mildew and the fungus Insolibasidium deformans as is
found on L. maackii and L. morrowii. The herbivory may be opening up the plant to
infection through feeding wounds and carrying the diseases between plants. Either
way, the insect feeding wounds are potential openings for infection to enter the
plant to either opportunistic local generalists or diseases specific to Lonicera sp. .
There is the strong possibility that mites or a similar insect are involved in the
spreading of disease between plants. (This year’s research.)
Birds and pollinators may play a part in transferring disease and herbivorous
insects between plants and other non-native members of this genus.
This plant needs further investigation, but field observations are very
encouraging.

81. Insolibasidium deformans infection

82. possibly powdery mildew
and/or and Insolibasidium
deformans infection

83. Herbivory and Insolibasidium deformans
infection

85. L. japonica vines climbing a tree

86. Common name: Amur honeysuckle
Scientific name: Lonicera maackii
Origin: Asia
Local habitat: prefers the edge of wooded areas and open woodlands, even though it will
grow in forests
Reproduction: seeds spread by birds
Identifying features: Bushy shrub of up to 15 feet high with acuminate leaves.
Bioeradication system: Disease as evidenced by chlorotic leaves and dying stands in central
Pennsylvania and some insect herbivory. The disease is mostly the fungus
Insolibasidium deformans with a form of powdery mildew as is found on L. japonica
and L. morrowii. Hyadaphis tataricae, the honeysuckle aphid, has not been seen,
but this may be just taking time to look for it. There is the strong possibility that a
mite or similar insect may be carrying diseases between plants. (This year's
research.)
Birds and pollinators may play a part in transferring disease and herbivorous
insects between plants and other non-native members of this genus.
This plant needs further investigation, but field observations are very encouraging.
Note: Recent experience in our yard with plants up to 7’ tall has shown that most if not all
the plants can be pulled out by the roots without special tools. Winter before the ground has
frozen or spring after the ground has thawed are the best times to pull out this plant due to
its tendency to harbor large numbers of ticks.

88. Insolibasidium deformans infection

92. Herbivory similar to that
found on Lonicera japonica

93. Common name: Morrows honeysuckle
Scientific name: Lonicera morrowii
Origin: Asia
Local habitat: prefers the edge of wooded areas and open woodlands, even though it will
grow in forests
Reproduction: seeds spread by birds
Identifying features: Bushy shrub up to 15 feet high with elliptic leaves.
Bioeradication system: There is extensive disease as evidenced by chlorotic leaves and dying
stands in central Pennsylvania. The disease is the fungi Insolibasidium deformans
and possibly a form of powdery mildew as was found on Lonicera maackii.
Hyadaphis tataricae, the honeysuckle aphid, and other occasional herbivorous
insects may be opening up the plant to infection through feeding wounds and
carrying the diseases between plants. Either way, the insect feeding wounds are
potential openings for infection to enter the plant to either opportunistic local
generalists or diseases specific to Lonicera sp. . There is the strong possibility
that a mite or similar insect may be carrying diseases between plants. (This
year's research.)
Birds and pollinators may play a part in transferring disease and herbivorous
insects between plants and other non-native members of this genus.
This plant needs further investigation, but field observations are very encouraging.
Note: Recent experience in our yard with plants up to 7’ tall has shown that most if not all the
plants can be pulled out by the roots without special tools. Winter before the ground has
frozen or spring after the ground has thawed are the best times to pull out this plant due to its
tendency to harbor large numbers of ticks.

95. Insolibasidium deformans infection

98. Damage caused by Hyadaphis
tataricae, the honeysuckle aphid.

101. Hyadaphis tataricae
damage from the
prior year.

103. Common name: Multiflora rose
Scientific name: Rosa multiflora
Origin: Asia
Local habitat: it prefers fields and field edges even though it will grow in wooded areas
Reproduction: seeds and stems cloning
Identifying features: the only rose I know of where the thorns curve towards the
center of plant
Bioeradication system: Rose rosette disease, an Emaravirus, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, an
eriophyoid (gall) mite, and a fungal pathogen in the Colletotrichum genus appear
to be killing multiflora rose in the local area. The mites are supposedly
transported by wind, but more probably phoretically by birds such as the
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, which feed on the seeds and
nest in the branches, pollinators and other insects.
Other: The witches broom associated with rose rosette disease is supposed to be disease
caused. However, since P. fructiphilus is a gall forming mite, there is a strong possibility that
much of the deformity is caused by this mite or as a combination of rose rosette disease and
the mite.
CAUTION: When working with multiflora, thorns shatter into small slivers with skin contact
which remain in the skin indefinitely. Therefore check scratches and pricks for pieces of
thorns.

104. Rose rosette disease tends to be found areas with full or partial sun
such as in and along fields .
Colletotrichum is found on plants in the understory.
Both appear to be fatal to Rosa multiflora.

110. rose rosette disease

114. chlorotic leaves are
symptomatic of the fungal
pathogen Colletotrichum

118. Bonus plant

119. Common name: Japanese stiltgrass
Scientific name: Microstegium vimineum
Origin: Asia
Local habitat: wooded areas with partial to low sun. It usually starts along the edge of trails
and roads where people carry the hitchhiking seeds on their clothing or
vehicles and animals in their fur. It spreads across the landscape from there.
Intermittent/seasonal streams are often a preferred growing location and a
corridor by which it spreads through the forest as mature seeds apparently float.
Deer and other mammals may carry seeds in their fur into the forest.
Identifying features: silver vein down middle of leaf, large dense beds which become
noticeable in early to mid summer especially along trails and intermittent stream
beds. This is an understory or low light grass which is seldom found in full sun.
Reproduction: seeds which hitchhike on clothing, shoes and fur or flow down vernal
streams
Bioeradication system:
Bipolaris fungi species as evidenced by chlorotic leaves, probably from Zea mays,
are apparently being spread by hikers and other mammals along the Appalachian
Trail and other trails. In the same way hikers caused the spread of this plant,
hikers are spreading the answer to this plant.

125. diseased plants

128. When looking for bioeradication systems look for the
following:
1.) at least one insect and/or insect vector, often more
2.) disease(s)
3.) close native relatives
There may be other organisms which help such as birds which
spread non-winged insects or deer which may carry disease
on their fur when moving about a landscape.
The more native relatives, family and genus, and the denser
the population for both the non-native target and close native
relatives, the more apt a system is to be present or to form in
the future.

129. This coming field season will have five focal points:
1. Inserting pieces and water emulsions of locally diseased Ailanthus
trees into holes drilled into healthy Ailanthus trees to see if moving disease from
one tree to another is as simple as finding locally diseased trees to use as
sources of disease.
2. Inserting pieces and water emulsions of glyphosate (Drill and Fill)
killed trees which are decaying into healthy Ailanthus trees to see if the fungi
which are decomposing the Ailanthus trees will cause death in healthy trees.
3. Looking for gall mites, aphids and other herbivorous insects on
diseased Lonicera sp. and Rosa multiflora to confirm the disease vector and a
possible cause of wilting or witches broom on diseased plants.
4. Transferring pieces of diseased and/or insect infested Lonicera sp. to
healthy Lonicera sp. plants of the same and different species to see if the disease
and insects can be moved from one plant to another within the species and
between species.
5. Transferring pieces of diseased Rosa multiflora to healthy plants to
see if the disease and insects can be moved from one plant to another. This may
be difficult as it is increasingly hard to find healthy multiflora rose plants.

130. As an ecologist I am dealing with infinity minus
one variables. (∞-1 = variables in a system)

131. Note on phoretic transport
Phoretic transport of mites and other non-winged herbivorous insects between plants is
more probable than random transport by wind. Even though many of these insects have
huge numbers and easily become airborne, the directedness of phoretic transport by
insects and birds who use the plants as resources is more logical across and between
landscapes than chance.
Wind transport logically works best in landscapes with high densities of the food plant close
together. Whereas phoretic transport requires fewer food plants across a larger landscape.
The same may be true for fungal infections which have at least one phase (spore producing)
on the outside of plants. Wind borne transport is most effective when there is a high
density of the food plant as happened with the chestnut blight and the American Chestnut.
With fungal infections, especially ones that do not exist in any phase outside of a plant, the
complexity is greater and may involve more than one organism to transport it between host
plants.

132. presentation posted at:
http://www.slideshare.net/rtgardner3
https://independent.academia.edu/RichardTGardner

133. Contact information:
Richard Gardner
rtgardner3@yahoo.com
410.726.3045
We live in northern Berks County, PA.
Anyone who wants to visit us is welcome to.