Invasive Species Update

GEOSYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE Volume 1, Issue 2 September 2009 Invasive Species Update GRI Scientists Assist in Montana Study By John D. Madsen Geosystem Research Institute scientists John Madsen and Ryan Wersal were invited to participate in a study to evaluate efforts to manage Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in Noxon Rapids Reservoir in western Montana. Noxon Rapids Reservoir is a run-of-the-river reservoir used for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. When power is Fig. 2. Underwater photo of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in Noxon Rapids Reservoir, Montana in 2009. Photo by John Madsen. being generated, flow rates in the reservoir increase appreciably. Variable flow rates complicate the planning and implementation of invasive aquatic plant control in the reservoir. The purposes of the study was to document water movement conditions in the Inside this issue: Yellow Floating Heart in Mississippi 2 IPAMS Workshop Schedule 2 Sensory Structures of Cactus Moths 3 Prickly Pear Cactus from Dixie to the Northwest 4 Cactus Moth Detection and Monitoring Network 4 Cactus Moth Genetics 5 Invasive Species Mapping Trip 6 Fig. 1. Ryan Wersal (left) and Dr. David Shaw (GRI Director, right) en route to measure environmental parameters in one of the study plots. Dr. Shaw came to participate during one of the herbicide treatments. Photo by John Madsen. reservoir at several sites infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, and develop an herbicide application strategy to meet those conditions. The study leader was Dr. Kurt Getsinger of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center. Madsen and Wersal were tasked with evaluating the success of management activity by measuring both invasive and native plant distribution and abundance in the plots before and five weeks after treatment, as well as sampling one year posttreatment. During the treatments, they also measured environmental parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water clarity) in the study plots. Results of this study will be released after the one year posttreatment sampling in fall 2010. Special points of interest: IPAMS Workshop Schedule Fig. 3. Dr. John Madsen collects a sample during the five week post-treatment assessment at one of the plots on Noxon Rapids Reservoir. Photo by Celestine Duncan. Progress in Tracking Cactus Moth Updates on Cactus Moth Genetics Updates on CMDMN and IPAMS Collaboration with Argentinian Scientists

Yellow Floating Heart in Mississippi By John D. Madsen Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) is a floating-leaved perennial plant that forms yellow flowers. The floating leaves are similar in appearance to spatterdock, so it is often confused with native floating-leaved plants. Native to eastern Asia, it is an invasive plant with sporadic but widely distributed occurrence in the United States. Previously found in southeastern Mississippi, in the Pascagoula River drainage; it was recently reported from Warren County in west-central Mississippi. Since this plant is sold in the ornamental plant trade, incidental planting in private ponds is the most likely mode of spread. Fig. 1. Dense growth of yellow floating heart in a private pond in Mississippi. Photo by Mark Dortch. Yellow floating heart is more commonly observed in the northeastern states, where if often causes extensive nuisance problems. Southern Ontario has also reported extensive problems with this invasive species. Fig. 2. Closeup of yellow floating heart in Mississippi. Photo by Mark Dortch. A fact sheet on yellow floating heart is available at the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species webpage, at http://nas.er.usgs.gov. IPAMS Volunteer Workshops Set for Fall 2009 By John D. Madsen Two workshops will be offered to train volunteers to assist the Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South in identifying and mapping forty invasive plant species in the Mid-South states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid- South (IPAMS) is a program designed to train volunteers to identify important invasive plant species, learn about using the on-line database to enter plant locations, and provide information on the management of these species. During the four-hour workshop, participants will learn to identify forty different invasive plant species, use of the IPAMS webpage and database, Early Detection and Rapid Response steps for reporting and managing invasive plants, and an introduction to identifying your location from a GPS or GIS mapping function. Data derived from volunteers will be used to target the management of these invasive species. Each participant will be provided a training manual, species fact sheets, and identification cards for the forty species. The first workshop will be held on the morning of November 12 at Lake Tiak O Khata Resort in Louisville, MS in conjunction with the Mississippi Vegetation Management Association. Fig. 1. Victor Maddox teaching Master Gardeners to identify the IPAMS forty invasive plant species during a distance learning program. This shortened workshop is available to attendees of the MVMA Annual Meeting. For more information, contact Dr. John Byrd at Mississippi State University, jbyrd@pss.msstate.edu. The second workshop will be from 8-12 on December 4, 2009 at University of Southern Mississippi-Long Beach cam- pus. Patty Rogers will be organizing and hosting the event through the Natural Resources Conservation Service office. More details of this event will be forthcoming. During 2010, we are planning to have ten workshops, two in each of the target states of AL, AR, MS, LA, and TN. Page 2 INVASIVE SPECIES UPDATE

Sensory Structures on the Antennae of Cactus Moths By Richard L. Brown Department of Entomology Typical of all Lepidoptera, the antennae of cactus moths, Cactoblastis cactorum, have sensory structures for detecting phermones, locating host plants, and detecting environmental conditions. Six types of antennal sensillae are ubiquitous in Lepidoptera: 1) Sensillum trichodeum (phermone receptors in males, plant volatile receptors in females), 2) Sensillum basiconicum (plant volatile receptors in females); 3) Sensillum auricillicum (plant volatile receptors in females); 4) Sensillum coeloconicum (olfactory); 5) Sensillum chaeticum (taste and mechanoreceptors); and 6) Sensillum styloconicum (temperature and humidity sensors). Although previous research has documented the response of various cactus moth sensilla to plant volatiles, no information is available on the types, distribution, and relative abundance of the various antennal sensilla in the cactus moth. Research is in progress on the sensilla of female and male antennae of the cactus moth to determine the types of sensilla present, their relative abundance, and their distribution on the individual antennal subsegment (flagellomere). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been combined with microscope slide preparations of de-scaled antennae to obtain diversity and distribution of sensilla. Some sensilla, e.g., coeloconica and chaetica, are easily identified with a compound microscope, but others require use of the SEM for identification. The number of flagellomeres ( segments ) were counted in the antennae from five individuals of each sex of the cactus moth. The number of flagellomeres range from 60 to 89 ( = 76) in males and 67-79 in females (( = 73) in females. Variation in number of flagellomeres was correlated with the forewing length. Fig. 1. Sensilla on flagellomere near middle of female antenna of cactus moth, a auricillium, b basiconicum, c coeloconicum, ch chaeticum, sc - socket of scale, t trichodeum, types A and B. Cactus moth males and females have all six types of antennal sensilla, with sensilla trichodea represented by two types, A and B (Fig. 1). Examinations of SEM images and slide mounts have revealed that sensilla are restricted to the ventral half of each flagellomere whereas the remainder is covered by scales (Fig. 1). Examinations of slide mounts revealed that a female antenna averaged 3.6 sensilla coeloconica for each of 68 flagellomeres, whereas a male antenna averaged 4.9 sensilla coeloconica for each of 69 flagellomeres. These data suggest that this sensillum in the male is a more important receptor for olfaction of chemicals than in the female. Sensilla chaetica, which are known to be gustatory receptors, are present in almost equal numbers (either one or two present on each flagellomere) among males and females. In females the sensilla chaetica are positioned at the apical end of the ventral surface of each flagellomeres. In males, these sensilla are irregular in position, sometimes occurring on the dorsal surface intermixed with scales. Sensilla stylonica, which respond to temperature and humidity, are present on the apical margin of each flagellomeres of the apical two-thirds of the antenna in each sex. Additional antennae need to be examined to determine variation in distribution and number of sensilla. Additional scanning electron microscopy is needed to differentiate sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica. These data on diversity, abundance, and distribution of sensilla in the cactus moth will be compared with those for the native cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis to determine any differences between the two species for host location. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 3

Mapping Prickly Pear Cactus from Dixie to the Northwest By Victor Maddox An invasive species mapping trip in conjunction with the 36 th Natural Areas Conference, Vancouver, WA was conducted from 11 Sept 2009 through the 21 Sept 2009. Host mapping was conducted in 13 western states including AR, CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OK, OR, UT, WA, and WY. The roundtrip was 5356 miles. Over 830 host reports were generated during the trip. Although most were negative host reports (host not present), many positive reports for Opuntia were recorded primarily from NE and KS. Most were natural populations of plains pricklypear (Opuntia tortispina Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow). There is some confusion regarding the identification of Opuntia tortispina. And it has been listed conspecific with Opuntia cymochila Engelmann & J.M. Bigelow in the Flora of North American (http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx? flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415189) and conspecific with Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. var. macrorhiza in PLANTS (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile? symbol=opmam3). However, the morphology of the plants found is most similar to Opuntia tortispina (Figure 1). Native cactus moth (sample provided to Richard Brown, Department of Entomology, Mississippi State University) was found on Opuntia tortispina in W. NE (N41.16860 W104.03017) near the WY state line. Habitat was rocky (Figure 2) and associate species included limber pine (Pinus flexilis James)(dominate tree species), little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.], soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca Nutt.), and western poison ivy [Toxicodendron rydbergii (Small ex Rydb.) Greene]. These scattered communities where surrounded by larger grassdominated communities. Limber pine, little bluestem, sideoats grama, soapweed yucca, and western poison ivy are distributed over a large area in the western United States and it is not clear how closely Opuntia tortispina is associated within this range. Figure 2. Habitat where Opuntia tortispina Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow was found in western NE with limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) communities surrounded by grass dominated communities. (Photo by Victor Maddox). All data forms collected during the trip will be entered into the Cactus Moth Detection and Monitoring Network database. Host data from five new states (ID, OR, WA, WY and NE) is included in the data set. In addition, data from new areas of five other states is also included in the data set including western MO, northern CA, northern NV, northern UT, and western CO. Montana and North Dakota will be the only two remaining states in the NW without data forms in the CMDMN. This data should expand what the CMDMN currently knows about the host. Figure 1. Opuntia tortispina Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow in western NE with little bluestem, sideoats grama, and soapweed yucca. Native cactus moth (inset) was found at the same location. (Photo by Victor Maddox). Figure 1. CMDMN map shows the presence of Opuntia populations in southeast LA. Page 4 INVASIVE SPECIES UPDATE

Opuntia and Cactoblastis Habitat Models and Population Genetics By Gary N. Ervin Department of Biological Sciences Our proposed work for 2009-2010 encompasses three major areas of research continued habitat modeling efforts based on our large data set from the C. cactorum native range, continued genetic studies in Opuntia and cactophagous moths, and experimental studies of growth performance of C. cactorum and native US cactus moths on native southeastern US Opuntia species. The following is an update on progress towards our proposed deliverables for 2010. A. Analyses of comparative growth chamber studies. We initiated a controlled laboratory experiment to investigate unique defense responses from prickly pear hosts to feeding by C. cactorum (invasive moth) and M. prodenialis (native). We have completed one generation of C. cactorum and are nearing the ends of one generation of M. prodenialis and a second of C. cactorum. Results of the first generation of C. cactorum were presented at a meeting in Tifton, GA in August. In addition to collecting data on moth growth and survival and cactus growth, we have preserved tissue samples from all stages of the experiments for use in future molecular analyses. B. Analyses of genetic data resulting from Argentina sampling trips. We completed genetic analyses for C. cactorum in its native range in Argentina, its invasive range in Florida, and for Melitara prodenialis across its native Floridian range. These analyses have been incorporated into a manuscript that will be submitted in early October. They also were included in a presentation at the Tifton, GA meeting and will form the basis for continued collaborations with the USDA ARS scientists at Tifton and Buenos Aires. C. Calibration of environmental tolerance models for Cactoblastis, based on data collected in the two Argentina research trips. We have begun work to integrate habitat modeling studies with results we have obtained to date from our genetic analyses (i.e., modeling habitat for specific genotypes). We have two manuscripts in development based on this habitat modeling work, and these studies were included in the presentations and discussions at the Tifton, GA meeting. We also will be using these findings to help direct the collaborative work with USDA ARS scientists. Publications and Presentations for July September 2009 Book or Book Chapter Madsen, J. D. (2009). Chapter 1: Impacts of invasive aquatic plants on aquatic biology, pp. 1-8. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: A best management practices handbook. (Gettys, L.A., W.T. Haller, and M. Bellaud, eds.). Marietta, GA: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. 210 pp. Madsen, J. D. (2009). Chapter 13.2: Eurasian watermilfoil, pp. 95-98. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: A best management practices handbook. (Gettys, L.A., W.T. Haller, and M. Bellaud, eds.). Marietta, GA: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. 210 pp. Madsen, J. D. (2009). Appendix D: Developing a lake management plan, pp. 167-172. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: A best management practices handbook. (Gettys, L.A., W.T. Haller, and M. Bellaud, eds.). Marietta, GA: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. 210 pp. Peer-Reviewed Journals Simpson, A., Jarnevich, C., Madsen, J. D., Westbrooks, R., Fournier, C., Mehrhoff, L., Browne, M., Graham, J., & Sellers, E. (2009). Invasive species information networks: collaboration at multiple levels for prevention, early detection, and rapid response to invasive alien species. Biodiversity. 10(2), 5-13 Ervin, G. N. (2009). Distribution, habitat characteristics, and new county-level records of Baccharis halimifolia L. on a portion of its present US range boundary. Southeastern Naturalist. 8, 293 304. Holly, D. C., G. N. Ervin, C. R. Jackson, S. V. Diehl, G. T. Kirker. 2009. Effect of an invasive grass on ambient rates of decomposition and microbial community structure: A search for causality. Biological Invasions 11: 1855-1868. Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Combinations of diquat and a methylated seed oil surfactant for control of common duckweed and watermeal. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. 47(1), 59-62. Conference Presentations Maddox, V. L., Abbott, C. F., Byrd, J., & Thompson, D. (2009). State Department of Transportation Vegetation Inventory Protocol Project. 12th AASHTO-TRB Maintenance Management Conference. Loews Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis, MD. Madsen, J. D. (2009). Identification and management of milfoils (Myriophyllum). Southeast Herbicide Applicators Conference. Panama City Beach, FL. Maddox, V. L., Abbott, C. F., Madsen, J. D., & Westbrooks, R. (2009). New Developments with the Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum Berg.) Detection and Monitoring Network Efforts. 36th Natural Areas Conference. Vancouver, WA.. Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Combinations of penoxsulam and diquat as foliar applications for control of waterhyacinth and common salvinia: Evidence of herbicide antagonism. 28th Annual Meeting of the MidSouth Aquatic Plant (Continued on page 7) VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 5

Mapping Invasive Species from Dixie to the Pacific Northwest By Victor Maddox An invasive species mapping trip in conjunction with the 36 th Natural Areas Conference, Vancouver, WA was conducted from 11-21 Sept 2009. Invasive plant species mapping was conducted in 13 western states including AR, CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OK, OR, UT, WA, and WY. The roundtrip was 5,356 miles. Close to 870 NAWMA survey forms were generated during the trip on a number of exotic plant species. Associate species were also recorded for some locations. A number of invasive species new to IPAMS will be added as a result of the trip (Figure 1). Interestingly, some of the same species which are problematic in the NE are also problematic in the NW, especially Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (tree of heaven). Asparagus officinalis L., present at scattered localities in the eastern United States, was also present in the NW. Hypericum perforatum L., established in the NE and now MS, was more prevalent in the NW. Other genera included Abutilon, Albizia, Arundo, Bothriochloa, Bromus, Carduus, Centaurea, Cichorium, Cytisus, Dipsacus, Elaeagnus, Lactuca, Lathyrus, Lespedeza, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Phragmites, Polygonum, Populus, Pueraria, Pyrus, Rosa, Rubus (Figure 1), Salsola (Figure 2), Securigura, Sorghum, Tamarix, Ulmus, and Verbascum. Some genera had multiple species and other less common genera not mentioned were also mapped. For example, a potential Saccharum ravennae (L.) L. escape was found in SW MO. This large grass has escaped in other locations, but the potential occurrence on a roadside in MO is worth further investigation. There is apparently one other location in the St. Louis area in eastern MO. Only one mature plant was identified on the roadside and it is unclear where it originated. Other invasive species data collected on the trip will most likely add new counties and other information to what we currently know about the species. Figure 1. Himalayan (Rubus armeniacus Focke) and cutleaf (Rubus laciniatus Willd.) blackberries on a site in Oregon as an examples of two species new to IPAMS from a new state (OR) to IPAMS. It is also an example of the many invasive species images taken during the 11-day trip. (Photo by Victor Maddox). All data forms collected during the trip will be entered into the Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth (IPAMS) database. NAWMA data from five new states (KS, OR, WA, WY and NE) is included in the data set. In addition, data from new regions of seven other states is also included in the data set including western MO, northern CA, northern NV, northern OK, northern UT, southeastern CO, and southern ID. North Dakota will be the only remaining state in the NW without data forms in IPAMS. This data should expand what IPAMS currently provides about invasive plant species. The data is currently being entered into the database. Figure 2. Image of the Loneliest Road (U.S. 50) in Nevada across the Great Basin Desert showing prickly Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.) along both margins for miles as an example of man s invasive species mark upon a vast landscape. (Image by Victor Maddox). Page 6 INVASIVE SPECIES UPDATE

Publications for July September 2009 (cont.) (Continued from page 5) Management Society. Guntersville, AL. Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Growth of parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum Vell. Verc.) as regulated by water depth. 28th Annual Meeting of the MidSouth Aquatic Plant management Society. Guntersville, AL. Madsen, J. D., & Ervin, G. N. (2009). The Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid- South. MidSouth Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Guntersville, AL. Madsen, J. D., Wersal, R. M., & Getsinger, K. D. (2009). Combinations of endothall with 2,4-D and triclopyr for enhanced control of Eurasian watermilfoil with short contact times. MidSouth Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Guntersville, AL. Prince, J. M., Madsen, J. D., Shaw, D. R., & Brooks, C. P. (2009). Modeling Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) with Geographic Information Systems. Midsouth Aquatic Plant Management Society Conference. Lake Guntersville State Park, AL. Fleming, J. P., Madsen, J. D., & Dibble, E. D. (2009). The Influence of Species and Water Depth on Aquatic Plant Reestablishment in Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama. Midsouth Aquatic Plant Management Society 28th Annual Conference. Guntersville, AL. Madsen, J. D. (2009). Major Aquatic Weed Problems in the MidSouth: Identification and Specific Recommendations for Management. MidSouth Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Guntersville, AL. Cox, M. C., Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Distribution and Management of Invasive Plant Species in the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Mid-South Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Guntersville, AL. Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Effects of Water Depth on the Growth of Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum Vell. Verc.). 49th Annual Meeting of the Aquatic Plant Management Society. Milwaukee, WI. Madsen, J. D., Wersal, R. M., & Getsinger, K. D. (2009). Efficacy of combinations of endothall with 2,4-D and triclopyr for enhanced control of Eurasian watermilfoil with low contact time. Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, WI. Fleming, J. P., Madsen, J. D., & Dibble, E. D. (2009). The Influence of Species and Water Depth on Aquatic Plant Reestablishment in Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama. Aquatic Plant Management Society 49th Annual Conference. Milwaukee, WI. Cox, M. C., Wersal, R. M., & Madsen, J. D. (2009). Distribution and Management of Invasive Aquatic Plants in the Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS. Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Conference. Milwaukee, WI. Professional Presentations Maddox, V. L., C. Abbott, J. D. Byrd, and D. Thompson. IPAMS Invasive Plant Species Training Workshop. 9 Sept 2009. High Performance Computing Collaboratory (HPCC), Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. Training workshop for the MDOT District Agronomists. Madsen, J. D., Brown, R. L., Ervin, G. N., Maddox, V. L., & Abbott, C. F. (2009). Update on the GRI Cactus Moth Detection Network. Invasive Species Working Group. Teleconference: National Biological Information Infrastructure, Invasive Species Information Node. Ervin, G. N., T. D. Marsico, and C. P. Brooks. 2009. Reassessing expectations for Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) spread in North America. Research Collaboration Workshop at the USDA ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Laboratory, Tifton, GA, August 13, 2009. Marsico, T. D. and G. N. Ervin. 2008. Chew em up and spit em out: Prickly pear defenses elicited from native but not invasive moths. Research Collaboration Workshop at the USDA ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Laboratory, Tifton, GA, August 13, 2009. Awards and Recognition Cox, M. C. (2009). 2009 Graduate Student Scholarship. Distribution and Management of Invasive Aquatic Plants in the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Mid-South Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting. Guntersville, AL. Simonsen, T.J., R.L. Brown, and F.A.H. Sperling. 2008. Tracing an Invasion: Phylogeography of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the United States based on Mitochondrial DNA. Awarded Best Article of 2008 by the Entomological Society of America, October 1, 2009. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 7

GEOSYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE Phone: 662-325-2428 Fax: 662-325-7692 E-mail: jmadsen@gri.msstate.edu www.gri.msstate.edu/ipams Argentinian Scientists Visit MSU Figure 1. Post-doctoral researcher Travis Marsico (far right) provides Guillermo Logarzo (middle) and Laura Varone (USDA ARS, Buenos Aires) an overview of his field research in Florida. By Gary Ervin Department of Biological Sciences Gary Ervin and Travis Marsico, along with Christopher Brooks of the MSU Biology Department, were invited to visit the USDA Agricultural Research Service s Crop Protection and Management Research Laboratory in Tifton, GA, to participate in research collaborations related to the South American cactus moth research program. Also in attendance were USDA ARS scientists from Tifton (James Carpenter) and Tallahassee, FL (Stephen Hight), and from the USDA ARS South American Biological Control Research Laboratory in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Guillermo Logarzo and Laura Varone). They are collaborating in the design of studies to examine the degree of isolation among Cactoblastis cactorum genotypes identified through ongoing genetic research at MSU. Following the meeting in Tifton, Logarzo and Varone were invited to return to Mississippi with Ervin and colleagues. Tours were arranged for facilities at Mississippi State University, as well as natural and cultural areas in the state. Figure 2. Varone and Logarzo checking out Mississippi pitcher plants (Sarracenia alata) at Sandhill Crane NWR. Figure 3. Cactoblastis workgroup at USDA-ARS Crop Protection and Management Research Laboratory, Tifton, GA, August 2009. From left: Brooks, Marsico, Ervin, Carpenter, Logarzo, Hight, Varone.