The psyllid Aphalara itadori is a true knotweed specialist that sucks the sap from the plant. Perhaps you have seen a green plant along the greenway with arrowhead-shaped leaves, the zig-zag pattern of its leaf buds, and the sprinkling of red specks along its stalk. Japanese knotweed is highly damaging. “If the psyllid can establish, reproduce and spread, and do the damage we see in the breeding trials, it can hopefully inhibit the growth and spread of Asian knotweed. What is Japanese knotweed? The project is entering the final stages of research and has identified two potential options, the Aphalara psyllid and a Leafspot fungus for the natural control of Japanese knotweed. The Government also notes that DEFRA is funding a biological control programme through the release of a psyllid insect to tackle Japanese knotweed and that research is underway into the use of leaf-spot fungus as a mycoherbicide to control the knotweed. Kate Constantine, one of the CABI scientists working on the project, said: “The results confirmed the psyllid to be a high-specialised natural enemy of Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) It spreads extremely quickly, preventing native vegetation from growing and has significant impacts on infrastructure. The species forms monospecific thickets of plants 2 to 4 meters tall. On thinglink.com, edit images, videos and 360 photos in one place. Like most websites we use cookies. Add text, web link, video & audio hotspots on top of your image and 360 content. Japanese Knotweed, scientifically known as Fallopia japonica, is an Asian plant with a reputable ethnobotanical value among the Japanese. Aphalara itadori, the Japanese knotweed psyllid, is a species of psyllid from Japan which feeds on Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). This is the invasive Japanese Knotweed, a noxious weed that can take over wet areas. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a highly damaging invasive species affecting UK infrastructure and biodiversity. Japanese Knotweed Vs psyllid Aphalara itadori . The fast-growing plant can grow up to 13 feet tall and is so strong it can break through paving stones and tarmac. Japanese knotweed can grow in a wide range of habitats, but is most often found in riparian areas. Biological control measures for Japanese knotweed are currently being researched, including the use of a psyllid from Japan as a suitable, safe agent to control Japanese knotweed in the UK. Last Modified: Dec 18, 2020 Print. Aphalaris itadori, or the Japanese knotweed psyllid, feeds on this plant and can easily keep it under control. Current control methods rely mainly on chemicals. Current UK control methods. One of these release sites is in Cornwall. Updated: Jul 9, 2020 . Description. The leaf flea, also known as the Japanese knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori), is a natural predator of knotweed. In the Pacific Northwest the encroachment of Japanese knotweed is causing concern because it creates problems in salmon restoration efforts. The deep-rooted knotweed … We know from the Japanese knotweed psyllid that it can kill young shoots and slow down or even stop the growth of the plant by sucking up sap – nutrition – from the plant. It has hollow stems with distinct raised nodes that give it the appearance of bamboo, and they may reach a maximum height of 3m each growing season–4 (Royal Horticultural Society, 2018). Easy editing on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. 1 Release and Evaluation of Impact for the Knotweed Psyllid (Aphalara itadori) in the Northeastern Area (MA, VT, NH and NY) on Japanese Knotweeds (Fallopia japonica, F. bohemica and F. sachalinensis) The Team Roy Van Driesche (PI) is an entomology professor at the University of Massachusetts, specializing in biological control. Their chosen insect is a small psyllid called Aphalara itadori that feeds on the sap of the superweed, stunting its growth. Psyllid will be introduced to kill Japanese knotweed Credit: Photo: PA The psyllid is the name given to a whole family of jumping plant lice that are found all over the world. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) is usually found in wet habitats, along river and stream banks, and in disturbed areas such as roadsides and old fields. It was introduced by the Victorians for horticulture. Start now. APHIS Extends Comment Period for Environmental Assessment for the Release of the Japanese Knotweed Psyllid to Biologically Control Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian Knotweeds. Huw Irranca-Davies, the wildlife minister, said: ‘This project is not only ground-breaking, it offers real hope that we can redress the balance. Britain is quite fortunate when it comes to having invasive plants because as a country we have very few. Dr Kate Constantine, from CABI, said: 'The results confirmed the psyllid to be a high-specialised natural enemy of Japanese knotweed. Knotweed is a large herbaceous plant with smooth, hollow, and jointed stems making it look like bamboo. 'If the psyllid can establish, reproduce and spread, and do the damage we see in the breeding trials, it can hopefully inhibit the growth and spread of Asian knotweed. And the threat is real: it can lower house prices, threaten our bridges, and drive men to madness. Consent for experimental releases of the psyllid, Aphalara itadori was granted by Fera and Welsh Government in 2010. The psyllid preferred the knotweed to buckwheat, and it showed little aptitude for establishing itself in the crop. “We know from the Japanese knotweed psyllid that it can kill young shoots and slow down or even stop the growth of the plant by sucking up sap – nutrition – from the plant. Of particular concern was buckwheat, a crop that is related to knotweed. The Japanese knotweed psyllid should offer relief against the rampant Asian knotweed. The team has spent several years trying to find potential candidates to control the spread of Japanese knotweed, looking for predators that feed only on knotweed and not on any of Britain's native plants. Japanese Knotweed – An Invasive Plant That Is Proving Impossible to Control. Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK by the Victorians as an ornamental plant, but it soon escaped from gardens and began its rampant spread throughout the UK. After extensive testing and review by federal agencies (USDA/APHIS), on March 20th, 2020, the Knotweed Psyllid (Aphalara itadori) was approved for release in the U.S. as the country’s first biocontrol agent for Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed is in nearly all our provinces. We know from the Japanese knotweed psyllid that it can kill young shoots and slow down or even stop the growth of the plant by sucking up sap – nutrition – from the plant. Current projects include hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash In these areas, native vegetation is all but eliminated. Worldwide it is prohibited to release exotic species into nature. The Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori by paul — 320 The Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori by paul — 320 Bring your visual storytelling to the next level. Monitoring is continuing. Research however has identified a tiny psyllid from Japan as a suitable and safe agent to control Japanese knotweed in the UK. Biological control entails the use of pests and pathogens for whom the plant is a target, among them the psyllid, leaf beetle, and snails [1, 3]. Moreover, buckwheat is grown all over Japan in close proximity to knotweed, but the psyllid is not listed as a pest of buckwheat there. This is to ensure that we give you the best experience possible. Suzanne Lommen. Ronse Decraene var japonica (Polygonaceae) is arguably the most troublesome invasive alien plant in Europe and North America (Weber, 2003) and has serious consequences for biodiversity (Maerz et al., 2005; Gerber et al., 2008, Topp et al., 2008).The history of alien species of Fallopia in the UK has been reviewed (Conolly, 1977, Bailey … Encroachment of Japanese knotweed on to neighbouring property may give rise to a liability under a private nuisance claim. With its clusters of pretty white flowers, Japanese knotweed was first introduced as an ornamental plant. The psyllid Aphalara itadori will be the first biological control used against Japanese knotweed, as well as the related Bohemian and giant knotweeds. Suzanne Lommen of the Institute of Biology Leiden coordinates the field trials. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government have approved the release of the psyllid, Aphalara itadori to help stop the spread of Japanese knotweed. 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