Wildland weeds

32 Pages·1997·3 MB·English

by  Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

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FLORIDAEXOTIC PESTPLANT COUNCIL- www.fleppc.org
Officers CommitteeChairs BrazilianPepper WOdland Weeds
,ImCuda
AUlniivseornsFiotxy,ofChFaliorrida RBioobleorgticDaolrCeonntrol UEnnitvoemrsoiltoygoyfDFelpoarirdtament
AgronomyDepartment 3Fl0o5r/i3d4a8I-n6t7er2n1ationalUniversity 352/392-1901Ext.126 Fall2006 Volume9 Number4
352/392-1811,Ext207 [email protected] [email protected] , ,
[email protected] By-laws CCharrirsoLtowcokohdart Table of Contents
DianneOwen,Secretaiy DennisGiardina
FloridaAtlanticUniversity FakahateheeStrandPreserve H5a6b1i/t7a3t8S-p1ec1i7a9lists,Inc.
954/236-1085 StatePark [email protected] 6 Silver Linings byMichaelMeisenburg
[email protected] 239/695-4593
[email protected] Dioscorea 14 In Memory - Kathleen Craddock Burks
MES8lo0alu0net-anh4gD3eFo2lmn-ole2rani0ndt4,a5DWTiErsatextrateiscru6tr1e3r0 DKCeeAnnSniLTsaRnGegipearlreadsniednnat(aatltievrenate) WUIninidlEvildeaiurnascmiRatitOyviveoeornrfRhFCeoleslonerttiaedrarc-hIaFnAdS 15 GInevoarsgiivaeEPxloatnitcsPiensGtePolragnitaCouncil ListofNon-native
[email protected] Editorial waoverholt®ifas.ufl.edu
Karen&own 772/468-3922Ext143 19 Foreign Exploration forBiological ControlAgents
UKCneainrvteeenrrsBifrtooyrwAonqf,uFaEltdoiricitdoar ELSedteuoscraamtwSiaootunetroManagement UGGnrriaevsgesrMesasictyDoonfaFllodrida IbsymaSihlarAohnmMa.dL.anEdweS,haWniklaliramUlAa.gaOnvaerthhoalnt,LaurenceG.Kirton,Ee-MayLai,
&InvasivePlants Academy AgronomyDepartment
352/392-1799 321/722-2123 352/392-1811Ext228 23 Socio-Economic Impacts ofControlling Melaleuca
kpbrown®mail.ifas.ufl.edu [email protected] [email protected] in South FloridabyKatherineCarter-FinnandAlanW.Hodges
JimBurney,ImmediatePastChair FDoNrGiAa/GFoLrdEoPnPCLiaison JIeyfgfroedyiHuumtchinson 26 Gainesville’s GreatAirPotato Round Up byGaryPaul
AquaticVegetationControl,Inc. UniversityofFlorida UniversityofFlorida-IFAS
561/845-5525 TheNatureConservancy CenterforAquatic&Invasive 30 The SoutheastEPPC Invasive PlantMapping Project
L1JE®aol.com 352/392-5949 Plants
Directors [email protected] j3t5h2u/[email protected] by ChrisEvansandChuckBargeron
ScottDitmarsen(2ndyear) MLeagtitshlaetwivEeng Skunkvine 31 Internodes
DowAgroSciences PalmBeachCounty BSrWiaFnWNeMlDson
8sc1d3i/t8m6a6r-s7e0n9®0dow.com m56k1i/[email protected] 3Br5i2a/[email protected] sTuhpepomritsstihoenmaofnatgheemeFnlotriodfainEvxaostiivcePeexsotticPlaplnatntCsouinnciFlloriisdat^o
JbnLane(2ndyear) Membership ChineseTallow natural areas byprovidingaforum forthe exchange ofscientific,
USACOEInvasiveSpecies KatyRoberts CherylMcCormick-Rote educational and technical information.
Management 727/726-1455 Melaleuca
J9b0n4./[email protected] [email protected] FSroauMntachoniFaslgoLeramirdeoancWthaeDtiesrtrict AfrnoemxoatniactpulraalntrhaansgebeoeuntsiindteroodfuFcleodritdoaF.loArindaa,tueriatlheirzepdurepxoosteifucllpylaonrtacisciodennetatlhlya,t
TbnyPemas(2ndyear) Nominations 561/682-6193 sustainsitselfoutsideofcultivation(itisstillexotic; ithasnot“become”native).
NationalParkService JimBumey [email protected] Aninvasiveexoticplantnotonlyhasbecomenaturalized,butitisexpandingits
Florida/CaribbeanExoticPlant
ManagementTeam PlantList rangeinFloridaplantcommunities.
KeithBradley SOUTHEASTEXOTIC
305/252-0347 TheInstituteforRegional PESTPLANTCOUNCIL Wildland Weeds (ISSN 1524-9786) is published quarterly by the FloridaExotic
[email protected] Conservation www.se-eppc.org Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) and the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council
PaulPratt(2ndyear) 305/247-6547 (SE-EPPC) to provide afocus forthe issues and forinformation on exotic pest
USDA-ARSInvasivePlant [email protected] Officers plantbiology, distributionandcontrol.
Researchlaboratory Research President
954/475-6549 JohnVolin TbnyPemas Directall editorial and Directaddress changes to:
[email protected] F9l5o4r/i2d3a6A-t1la1n1t5icUniversity NFaltoiroindaa/lCPaarrikbbSeearnviEcxeoticPlant advertisinginquiries to: DianneOwen
AlisonHiggins(1styear) [email protected] ManagementTeam KarenBrown,Editor FLEPPC Secretary
TheNatureConservancy SymposiumProgram 305/252-0347 WildlandWeeds PO Box23426
FloridaKeys CherylMcCormick-Rote [email protected] 7922NW 71stStreet FortLauderdale, FL 33307
305/745-8402Ext111 Training WeePresident Gainesville,FL32653 954-236-1085
[email protected] JimDuquesnel JoyceBender 352/392-1799; FAX[phone] [email protected]
CUnhievreyrlsMictyCoorfmFilcokri-dRaote(1styear) F3l0o5r/i4d5a1P-a1r2k2S6ervice KenPtruecsekryveSstaCteomNmatiusrseion [email protected]
CenterforAquatic& [email protected] 502/573-2886 Editorial Committee:
InvasivePlants Vendors [email protected] CressidaSilvers
352/846-2516 TbddOlson Secretary Jim Cuda
[email protected] A5q6u1a/t8i4c5V-e5g5e2t5ationControl KRriicshtemnonGoduNnaatriiosnaAlllen KenLangeland
GaryNichols(1styear) toIson®avcaquatic.com BattlefieldPark MichaelMeisenburg
StJbhnsRiverWater Webmaster 804/795-5019
ManagementDistrict TbnyPemas [email protected]
321/409-2159 TaskForceChairs Treasurer On the Cover:
[email protected] AustralianPine LeePatrick What do these butterflies have
DFloonrnidaaWDaEtPkiBnusr(e1asutoyefaNra)tural RHaobbietrattERgeastnorationResources I6n1v5a/s3i8ve5-P4l3an1t9ControlInc. in common? They all benefit from
andCulturalResources 239/574-8173 [email protected] exotic plants in Florida. Clockwise
850/245-3104 [email protected] from upper left: Ceraunus blue,
[email protected] SE-EPPCChaptersandRegionalOrganizations: Long-tailed skipper, Polydamas
Alabama,Florida,Georgia,Kentucky,Mid-Atlantic, swallowtail, Cloudless sulphur
Mississippi,NewEngland,NorthCarolina,SouthCarolina, (caterpillar). Polydamasswallowtail
Tbnnessee,USDA-ForestService
photo by Erika Simons. All others
TheExoticPestPlantCouncilhasnottestedanyoftheproductsadvertisedorreferredtointhispublication, by Michael Meisenburg. See article
norhasitverifiedanyofthestatementsmadeinanyoftheadvertisementsorarticles. TheCouncildoes onpage 6.
notwarrant,expresslyorimplied, thefitnessofanyproductadvertisedorthesuitabilityofanyadviceor
statementscontainedherein.
WILDLANDWEEDS 3
,
editor’s note
ecentlyIvisited thelovelycityofPortland, Oregon and spot- National Tribal Invasive Species
ted an “invasive plant removal/restoration planting” sign in Conference in Nevada
one of their many city gardens along the Willamette River. Japanese knotweed workshop at
OutsidethecityatoneofthebeautifulwaterfallsalongtheColumbia Cornell University, Ithaca, New
Gorge, I came upon ayoungwoman pullingweeds. She wasDiana York
Spartis, an AmeriCorps member leading a group of students from “Elongated mustard (Brassica
the Alpha Conservation Corps. They were working at Latourell elongata) is growing about5
Falls, ascenicnaturalarea,removingtheinvasivegroundcoverHerb miles east ofSalida, Colorado on
Robert, a/k/aStinkyBob (Geraniumrobertianum) underagranthum the north oftheArkansas River.
the Oregon StateParksand RecreationDepartment. Itjumped the riverthis spring
Returninghome to Gainesville, Florida, I attended a“Florida and is continuingto spread
Quilts” show atthe natural history museum and one ofthe quilts along roads and into the sur- DianaSpartis
featured alionfish. The panel describing the quilt, written by the rounding areas. Chaffee CountyWeeds hasbeen in contact
artist, cautioned against releasing lionfish into the wild due to with BLM and treated 18 acres along the roads and...”
their non-native and invasive status. It went on to mention that The Midwest Invasive PlantNetwork is offering afree dis-
studies were underway on their impacts to local fisheries. I was tance-learningworkshop on How to StartaCooperative
quite surprised, but on reflection (and while reviewing my over- Weed ManagementAreain the Eastern United States
flowingemailinboxinpreparationforthisissue), Irealizethatwe Aimed atpreventing the spread ofaquatic invasive speciesby
are now ridingahugewave ofawareness, activityand research on watergardeners and aquarium hobbyists, “Do NotRelease”
the invasive species dilemma. Just afew ofthe many widespread materials warn aboutpotentially invasive aquatic plants and
endeavors taking place in ourfield rightnow: animals and caution againstreleasing them into ourwaters.
FLEPPC Education and Outreach Small Grants
Request for Proposals - FY2007 • Proposal Due Date: March 1, 2007
Evaluation Criteria
Program Description Award preference willbe given to proposals that meet the following criteria:
and Eligibility • Involve a plant orplants listed on the FLEPPC2005 list ofInvasive Species
(found on www.fleppc.org);
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant • Educationalmessage willreach a large segment ofthe community;
Council is soliciting grant • Include partnerships (please specify type and degree ofinvolvement forpartnerentities);
proposals for non-native • Demonstrate matching funds orin-kind contributions;
• Increase localcommunity awareness ofnon-native plants through localcharettes, volunteer events,
invasive plant education and
web site development, and distribution ofeducationalmaterials;
outreach projects in the • Evaluate the project success throughprocess oroutcome evaluation;
State of Florida. The intent • Heighten community awareness about non-native invasive plant identification, control, andprevention;
ofthese grants is to provide • First time applicants and new projects, although repeat applicants willstillbe considered.
funding to organizations or
Application instructions and furtherinformation may be found on the FLEPPCwebsite
individuals who wishto edu- (www.fleppc.org). Grants may not be used to fund capitalexpense items (sprayers, chain saws,
cate the public about non- machinery, herbicide) orto fund controlorlarge-scale herbicide application activities. Requests for
native invasive plants and funding should not exceed $1,000.00 and allfunds awarded are to be used within 1 yearofreceipt.
their effects on the environ- Iffullfunding is not available, partialfunding may be awarded.
ment and economy of Applicant/organization must present a summary ofresults at the FLEPPCAnnualmeeting (posteror
Florida. Proposals will be presentation) orprovide a summary article forWildland Weeds, the FLEPPCquarterly magazine.
accepted from individuals,
The FLEPPCEducation Committee willreview allgrants and award letters
public or private nonprofit willbe sent via electronic mailby May 1, 2007.
organizations, and academic
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact Leesa Souto, DirectorofPublic Education
institutions. ,
Email: [email protected] • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone] (callfirst)
4 FALL2006
W W
n
TheU.S. House ofRepresentatives TheNebraskaInvasivePlantConference, outnatives, scientistswage acostly andmount-
passed an appropriationsbillthatwould “ThreatstoNebraskaRivers:InvasivePlant ingbattle.” New England examplesare
doublethebudgetoftheNational Conference” promotesthe control of highlighted.
Science Foundation (NSF) overthenext invadingplantsto preventfurtherdegra-
tenyears. Ifpassed, itwould provide dationofthe state’sriparian areas. Thisissue ofWildlandWeedsbringsyou
$11.8 million forinitialimplementation Conference announced:InvasivePlants news of the SE-EPPC Invasive Plant
ofthe NationalEcological Observatory inPacificNorthwestEcosystems. Mapping Project, Georgia EPPC’s list of
Network(NEON). One ofthe primary New provisionto law providesforinva- Non-Native Invasive Plants in Georgia, a
“challenges” identified forNEON is sivescontrol and native species report on foreign exploration for new bio-
research concerninginvasive species. establishmentinfederallyfunded high- logical control agents, and the results of a
Anewsrelease onthe Southern wayconstructionprojects. studyonthesocio-economicimpactsofcon-
CaliforniaCaulerpaActionTeam RecentAppalachianMountain Club trolling melaleucain south Florida A lot of
(SCCAT) websiteregardingthe success- magazine article oninvasives, “Space folks are workinghard - please help outby
ful eradication ofCaulerpataxifolia Invaders:Asinvasive specieschoke joiningan EPPC chaptertoday!
quotesNOAAfeDeputyAssistant
SecretaryofCommerce forOceansand
Atmosphere: “The proliferation of
Caulerpa would haveirreversibly
changed the ecosystem in California’s yV
/ \
near-shore coastalenvironment.”
Caulerpawasdetected in theAgua
Hediondalagoon (nearSanDiego) and
Huntingtonharbor(nearLosAngeles). Algae and Aquatic Weed Control and Maintenance Product
m
Anumberofgovernmentalagenciesand Asiienl toocH'tutHj njLHiSCTrcubSPonloiusemtxM&nsdbic-ind
fiiHt CPA IonttfuHn[Hartgr~wEr ramin;J C*rt»rr53t*n)of
community-based environmental organ- HUC•ntiyflEWtyK'Ip^OClCQiT lijtttI|/JmacjilD;rdui'4(ri5r,
izationscooperated and worked togeth- lbreyrmtomonvvitutyitjtrying rrgsucnirstSEi.jalidog Ltivti
ipfSr-ng&i.^vdb-
erto successfullyeradicate theinvasive AjH'rrtf'fp' coftcrrfrtfnjiqinjJUfiMsMSrwilllJ wdefdip'JU£dtOu
marine weed. item Domainiheidc:mtpfrwftnttilUrfimKtLFlim
Frontpage WashingtonPostarticle on itnludrirtpeLf vwrliHaipp4Lite* HP
lubcrMngIrtyJjtuml.
the linkbetweenincreased carbon diox-
— Apmibr coccwjtsjiiM.ite VsutefTot'Mimgnt DetlD^i
ide emissionsand invasivevines: -- pdirrq bdjchjtetelnwnidongclocks MatfvFt ti«tlaircfimwd
“PumpedUponCarbonDioxide, Vines SWMigiraifi CwUQUffRMtilitfrait tr*sift*e
Strengthen TheirGrip” Aajtitj lurttods1+U? tordrc**Ibroe.qo/t undir#snv
41id Ad?,parishorfjnhjr* Idcd
National ScienceFoundationhosts \yyTtflimIraifinfffs
“Biodiversity andEcosystemsInformatics Ajra^uku dtwfncnSWCvU>vCOWOi* p#n* “tHf
WorkingGroup.” FormerISAC officer tiMoiTWiqniit:fArcs aiwwcm«or tcnmin inrj dock
and DeputyChiefofResearch ofthe
U.S. ForestService and Co-chairof AfrhjjZuWdtcfhiexiAiwwddfccfotawr*njtrrptMuOgttiosf*onrdmsulmaa#n-*pocnodns{]rTr«eTattieEd>'wawliwrtofnttpr*used
EcosystemsCenter’s Semesterin riUK'Awiimn
Environmental Science (SES) program PuiwclformukltenolCj*ne-RifiUqjjrt In/UtdrflSDrcftrj**.tryutirft
presents, “IndicatorDesignandData btjintf!cjsfaldnjslnrimne*WwrmTO*30lllffc l *nmvctafnhrfront
AssessmentforNon-native Species.” AillLiLr asefrrmfcftpnin20: aw packagingtororsmwirtal
U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture’sForest icp+cji»!rti lAGartfrnfundt * andiqmruni! PrwdeahgH
Service willhostameetingforFederal 111ampmgiiisnot iomp*
economistsinterested in invasive AOK.t«rtb*rTriceidPM]iil'r-Tj THTCltV Cfo*dE|dlWir-dfttffif5ccnWtl\rttTrirtfrt\t#jntprlrfStTciijgCif
species.
AConservation GrazingWorkshop in
Connecticutincludestopics: Invasive Available Frtim Qudlily DEUrrhuttMtTTifDugiiodlme UntiedState-santiWnrlawide
Plantsand TheirAlternatives; Using cppked bicxhemsts
Sheep forInvasive PlantControl;
Conservation Grazingwith Exmoor
Ponies; and GoatsasGrazingAnimals mdfiTtiductiSrilicjlcdIdaldifl scn-jistandiptfkVCfdprptiJc'i
forInvasivePlantManagement. 1-000-55-5--S10^ * E-maJL infO^app^l^dbNO^etntat&.^-nm
WILDLANDWEEDS 5
by MichaelMeisenburg, University ofFlorida /IFAS, CenterforAquaticandInvasivePlants. Photosby theauthorunlessotherwise noted.
People like butterflies. Not everyone, but many do. Some butterfly species have Smallandeasilyoverlooked,
They make butterflies the subject of photographs, undergone population increases Ceraunusbluebutterfliesare
paintings, and poems. Theylandscape with plantsto or range expansions in recent commonaroundGainesvillenear
patchesoftheirlarvalhostplants;
attract these colorful creatures; plants as nectar sources years because invasive exotic usuallythenon-nativetrailing
and—for the devoted butterfly gardener—plants as cater- plants are being used as larval indigo(Indigoferaspicataj.
pillar hosts. They buy books to help identify the many host plants. Some species even
species and books to teach them which plants to plant. colonize the United States from other countries (Smith et
They may keep life lists or yard lists, with some taking al. 1994, Cech and Thdor 2005). The degree of invasive-
cross-country vacations to add species to these lists. They ness of the plants being utilized ranges from none to
certify theiryards with the National Wildlife Federation as FLEPPC Category I designations.
backyard habitats; habitatsformanyspecies, includingbut-
terflies. They may even...(pause added for dramatic effect) Exotic opportunism
plant exotic plants for their butterflies because, like it or Butterflies benefit from introduced plants in many
not, many butterflies do benefitfrom introduced plants. ways. An unusual example is this Queen imbibing
The extent to which any particular butterfly species alkaloids from showy rattle-
benefits from introduced plants varies. Some plants, such box (Crotalaria spectabilis,
as lantana(Lantana camara) and musky mint(Hyptismuta- Figure 1). Much like their
bilis), are excellent sources of nectar for many butterflies. close relatives Monarchs,
Find these plants on ahot summer day and you will often Queens have coevolved to use
see many butterflies hovering around them. Introduced alkaloid-producing plants to
plants such as these rival native speciesfortheir attractive- their advantage. Plants in the
nessto adultbutterflies. However, while these plantsbene- genus Crotalaria produce alka-
fitthe insectsbyfeeding adults, abutterfly’srange depends loids as a defense against her-
more on larval hostplants than adultnectar sources (Cech bivory; the male (pictured)
and Thdor 2005). For most butterfly species, adults live a must collect these chemicals
few weeks or less, and non-migratory species usually to synthesize pheromones and
remain fairly close to theirlarval hostplants. attract amate.
6 FALL2006
Flying north into new counties
Several native butterfly species previously confined to the more-
southerlylatitudes ofFloridahave spread north in recentyears, and their
expansion appears to follow changes in the state’s flora.
Native to Florida, Long-tailed skippers use legumes for rearing their
caterpillars. They readily use introduced plants in the genusDesmodium,
such asD. incanum and D. tortuosum (commonly known
as beggarticks or ticktreefoils). These two species are
often found in disturbed areas around the state. Young
larvae fold small pieces ofleaves overto hide from pred-
ators (Figure 2), while olderlarvae (Figure 3) sometimes
attach two leaves together with their silk for the same
purpose. A common fall butterfly, Long-tailed skippers
appear to be expanding their range to the north as their
populations have grown throughoutthe state. The Long-
tailed skipper is an agricultural pest,
as the caterpillars seem to prefer cul-
tivated beans Phaseolus spp.) as host
(
plants over any otherlegume.
Plants in the genus Senna often
are utilized by Florida’sbutterflies, in
this case sulphurs (family Pieridae).
Oneisthe Cloudlesssulphur, afamil-
iar yellow butterfly that is especially
abundant during late summer. Their
caterpillars often are found on the
introduced septicweed (Senna occi-
dentalis, Figure4). Thecaterpillarsare
primarily green, but may be bright
yellow as well (see sidebar). The green larvae ofSleepy oranges also can
be found on sennas, such as coffeeweed (Senna obtusifolia, Figure 5).
Both of these sulphurs are common butterflies. Another, the Orange-
barred sulphur, is expanding its range north based on, it seems, the
plantingofvalamuerto orChristmassenna Sennapendula) incentraland
(
northern Florida. Figure 6 shows a female depositing an egg on this
FLEPPC Category I species near Kanapaha Prairie in western Alachua
County (Gainesville).
Is it global warming?
A recent article in The Gainesville Sun asserted that global warming is allowing certain butterfly species to expand
their ranges northward due, presumably, to decreased winter mortality (Tuesday 10/1 1/05). However, for ten of
the thirteen species used as examples, range expansions may in fact be aided by expanding populations of non-
native plants being used as larval food-plants. Of the thirteen butterfly species listed in the article, four are using
non-native plants that are now growing wild in Alachua County; four are using non-native plants common in home
landscaping; and two are using native plants frequently found in disturbed habitats but uncommon in undisturbed
natural areas. Many of the species referred to in the newspaper article are also used as examples in this magazine
article. The bottom line: if introduced Aristolochia wasn’t growing in Alachua County, there would be no Polydamas
swallowtails, regardless of how warm it gets.
WILDLANDWEEDS 7
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8 FALL2006
Another tropical species expanding to the
north as far as Gainesville is the Polydamas
swallowtail (Figure 7). In northern Florida, itis
never far from dutchman’s-pipe or Aristolochia
vines, the obligatoryhost. One ofthese, the cal-
ico vine (Aristolochia elegans, formerly misap-
plied as A. littoralis), is a FLEPPC Category II
species.
Crossing the state line
Knowing no political boundaries, butter-
fliesoftencrossinto Floridafrom thenorth. For
the pierids (sulphurs and whites), this is due in
no smallpartto the abundance ofitsmore-tem-
perate larval hostplants: legumesand crucifers.
In northern Florida, many of these plants are
introduced ruderaland agriculturalplants, such
as sweet clover (Melilotus albus), white clover
(Trifoliumrepens), alfalfa(Medicagosativa), black
medic (Medicago lupulina), cabbage (Brassica
oleracea), wild radish (Raphanusraphanistrum), and garden radish (Raphanussativus).
Refugees from another country
The ultimate example ofbutterflies benefiting from introduced plants is when a
species colonizes Floridafrom outside ofthe United States. For a species to succeed
in this rare event, it must find its larval host plant to be adequately available. Thus,
it is not surprising that they would use aplant species introduced from their native
range. However, we do sometimes find non-native butterfly species that have colo-
nized Florida utilizing native vegetation. A little tropical butterfly, the dingy pur-
plewing, wasobserved doing so severalyears ago and isnow established in southern
Florida. Occasionally, Caribbeanspeciesestablish ephemeralpopulationsin southern
Florida, onlyto die outafterafew years. Butterflies are mobile creatures and, like theirhostplants, have populationsthat
wax and wane as environmental conditions dictate.
A close relative ofthe Long-tailed skipper—the Dorantes longtail—uses many ofthe same legumes for larval host
plants as the long-tailed, but seems to favorDesmodium over all others. After being found for the first time in southern
Florida in 1969, the range ofDorantes skippers is expanding to the north and they can
now be found throughout Florida. There is speculation that they are supplanting Long-
tailed skippers in the state (Cech and Tidor 2005).
— —
Threebutterflies Grayministreak, Fulvoushairstreak, and Malachite useFLEPPC-
listed species and, while it is possible thatthey use other species, the only verified host
plants are invasive.
Gray ministreaks use lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala, aCategory II species) fortheir
—
caterpillars, and lay their eggs on the unopened flower buds (Figure 8). One of ifnot
—
the smallestbutterfliesin the U.S., grayministreakswere firstdocumented in Floridain
1973 (Cech and Tidor2005). Theyare found throughoutthe Caribbean. AtFortDe Soto
Park (Pinellas County), Gray ministreaks may also be using woman’s tongue Albizia
(
lebbeck, aCategory I species) as ahostplant (Lyn Atherton, personal communication).
Duringthe same period, Fulvoushairstreaks (Figure 9) arrived in Floridafrom the
Caribbean. Given that their sole (known) host plant is Brazilian pepper (Schinus tere-
binthifolius, aCategoryI species) (Minno etal. 2005), itis surprisingthattheyhave not
become more widespread. Formerly abundant in certain regions of southern Florida
(e.g. Homestead), theyhavebecome lesscommoninthe lastyearortwo (Mark Salvato,
personal communication).
WILDLANDWEEDS 9
—
Certainly the most spectacular caterpillaronacamphortree, suggestingthathostplants(or
of our recent introductions is the lack thereof) are not the limiting factor in Spicebush swal-
Malachite (Figure 10), a green and lowtail populations.
black showstopper. It’s only known Conclusion
larval host plant in Florida is the
green shrimp plant or Browne’s The situation in Floridais notunique, as a similar sit-
blechum Blechum pyramidatum, a uation exists in California where 14 of the 32 butterfly
(
recent addition to the Category II species found within the city of Davis (a low number by
listing) (Minno et al. 2005). This butterfly made periodic Florida standards) exist solely on introduced vegetation
strays into southern Florida through the 1960’s from Cuba, (Thacker 2004). A majority ofthe remaining species will
andby1970hadbecomeestablished(Smithetal. 1994, Cech also use non-native plants as caterpillar host plants. Like
and Thdor2005). Itrangesnorthto SarasotaandVero Beach. the Orange-barred sulphurs and Polydamas swallowtails in
Florida, theDavisbutterfliesbenefitingfromtheintroduced
However...
floraare native species undergoing range expansions.
These are some ofthebestexamples ofincreasingbut- One may question whether having new butterflies in
terfly diversity as a result ofintroduced plants in Florida. the state is a good thing, since they could be regarded as
However, the examples are not a complete list, as many exotics. The situationisanalogousto thatofthecattleegret:
other cases exist. For instance, many species in our largest the birds expanded their range after humans modified the
—
family ofbutterflies the skippers (family Hesperiidae) environment and created conditions conducive to the
usegrassesashostplants. Several skippershave successful- egrets. Butwhether ornotyou call them exoticsis aphilo-
lymadethejump to non-nativegrasses, includingtorpedo- sophical debate. Geopolitical boundaries don’t matter to
grass (Panicum repens), guineagrass (Panieum maximum), wildlife, and where the line is drawn only matters to us.
Johnsongrass (Sorghum halapense), and cogongrass Rather than calling the butterflies iexotic,i a more appro-
(Imperata cylindrica), among others (Minno et al. 2005). priate description mightbe inaturalized.iAnd, ofcourse, if
Observationsofskipperlarvae onintroduced grassesmight these butterflies begin to displace our native species, then
lead to the conclusion that these plants are good for the they mightbe considered iinvasive.i
species using it. However, assessing an exotic plant’s bene- It is inescapable that invasive species displace native
fit (or cost) to wildlife should be made by comparing it to speciesand upsetthecomplexfood websthatmakeup nat-
—
the native plantsthatare displaced aplantbeingutilized uralcommunities. Understandingthisbigpicturemotivates
byan animal doesnotnecessarilymeanthatthehabitathas many ofus to keep up the battle against these invasives, a
been enhanced. For example, observations of a Clouded battle that increases in importance daily as the conversion
skipper caterpillar on Johnsongrass (Figure 11) mightlead of natural habitats to developments continues. However,
someto assumethatJbhnsongrassisgood forclouded skip- hiddenwithinthisbigpictureisasilverliningofincreasing
pers. But evaluating the plant’s proposed benefit to butter- butterfly diversity in Florida.
flies should include the species it is displacing. If the
Jbhnsongrass displaced Fakahatcheegrass (Tripsacum dacty- [email protected].
loides), one ofthe butterfly’snative hostplants, then the net Literature cited
benefitofthe Jbhnsongrass is canceled. Cech,R.,andG.TUdor.2005.ButterfliesoftheEastCoast:anobserver’sguide.
It also should be noted that new host plants may not PrincetonUniversityPress,Princeton,NewJersey.
always increase butterfly populations. Spicebush swallow- Smith,D. S.,L.D.Miller,andJ.Y.Miller. 1994.ThebutterfliesoftheWestIndies
andSouthFlorida.OxfordUniversityPress,Oxford,England.
tails use trees and shrubsin the laurel family, includingthe Minno,M.C.,J.EButler,andD.W.Hall.2005.Floridabutterflycaterpillarsand
Category I invasive camphortree (Cinnamomum camphora). theirhostplants.UniversityPressofFloridaGainesville,Florida
However, in severalyearsoflookingfortheirboldlycolored Thacker,PD.2004.Californiabutterflies:Athomewithaliens.Bioscience:54(3)
182-187.
larvae, only once have I found a spicebush swallowtail AspecialthankstoMarcMinnoforhisreviewofthisarticle.
Exotic plants: a double-edged sword
Florida’s state butterfly, the Zebra heliconian (formerly Zebra longwing), uses native passion vines as its larval
host plant. These vines produce cyanogenic (toxic) compounds and, in a tightly coevolved relationship, the
boldly colored caterpillars sequester these chemicals for their own protection. The introduced scarlet passion-
— —
flower (Passiflora coccinea) produces the same chemicals, but in greater and lethal quantities than our
native species. To gravid (pregnant) Zebra heliconians, scarlet passionflower tastes the same as native passion
vines, but the elevated chemical levels doom the soon-to-hatch larvae. Plants such as these could function as
population sinks, having deleterious effects on local Zebra heliconian populations and resulting in unintended
biological control of the state’s butterfly, if you will.
10 FALL2006