Biological Control: Native-range Surveying

Biological Control Home | Key Resources

Steps in a Weed Biological Control Program | Choosing Target Weed | Native-range Surveying | Choosing Best Potential Agent | Host-specificity Testing | Mass-rearing, Release and Evaluation | Non-target Impacts

• The search for biological control agents begins in the weeds country of origin. In the case of most Australian weeds, this includes Europe, particularly Mediterranean countries, southern Africa and Central and South America.

• Researchers conduct field surveys to look for naturally occurring enemies (e.g. insects, fungi) of the target weed. In nearly all instances the target weed is much rarer in the native range than in Australia. Searches are focused on areas of the weed's native range that are climatically suitable to Australia.

• Native range surveys are necessary to identify the pool of potential biological control agents that are available, and to provide information on the ecology of the weed and agents to maximise the chances of selecting the agent/s that will be most effective in controlling the weed in Australia.

• CSIRO has field stations in Mexico and France, but also collaborates with other organizations in South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.

Biological Control Home | Key Resources

Steps in a Weed Biological Control Program | Choosing Target Weed | Native-range Surveying | Choosing Best Potential Agent | Host-specificity Testing | Mass-rearing, Release and Evaluation | Non-target Impacts