Information

Agent

Aphalara itadori (Shinji) Kyushu line

Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Aphalaridae

Notes: Kyushu line

Agent Name References:
- Shaw, R.H., S. Bryner, and R. Tanner. 2009. The life history and host range of of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49: 105-113.
- Shaw, R.H., R. Tanner, D. Djeddour, and G. Cortat. 2011. Classical biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom - lessons for Europe. Weed Research 51(6): 552-558.
- Pratt, C.F., R.H. Shaw, R.A. Tanner, D.H. Djeddour, and J.G.M. Vos. 2013. Biological control of invasive non-native weeds: An opportunity not to be ignored. Entomologische Berichten 73(4): 144-154.
- Burckhardt, D., Lauterer, P., 1997. Systematics and biology of the Aphalara exilis (Weber & Mohr) species assemblage (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Entomologica Scandinavica 28(3), 271–305. https://doi.org/10.1163/187631297X00088

Agent Notes References:
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Weed

Reynoutria japonica Houtt.

Family: Polygonaceae

Past Names/Synonyms: Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene
Common Name: Japanese knotweed

Notes: For a time, East Asian knotweeds (Reynoutria) were formerly amalgamated under Fallopia, and several publications utilize this genus. However, the latest phylogenetic schemes have shown that Reynoutria should be treated as a separate genus.

Origin: Asia

Weed Name References:
- Schuster, T.M., K.L. Wilson, and K.A. Kron. 2011. Phylogenetic relationships of Muehlenbeckia, Fallopia, and Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) investigated with chloroplast and nuclear sequence data. International Journal of Plant Sciences 172(8): 1053–1066.
- Desjardins, S.D., Pashley, C.H., Bailey, J.P., 2022. A taxonomic, cytological and genetic survey of Japanese knotweed s.l. in New Zealand indicates multiple secondary introductions from Europe and a direct introduction from Japan. New Zealand Journal of Botany 61(1), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2022.2090848

Weed Synonym References:
- Shaw, R.H., S. Bryner, and R. Tanner. 2009. The life history and host range of of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49: 105-113.
- Shaw, R.H., R. Tanner, D. Djeddour, and G. Cortat. 2011. Classical biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom - lessons for Europe. Weed Research 51(6): 552-558.
- Schuster, T.M., K.L. Wilson, and K.A. Kron. 2011. Phylogenetic relationships of Muehlenbeckia, Fallopia, and Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) investigated with chloroplast and nuclear sequence data. International Journal of Plant Sciences 172(8): 1053–1066.

Weed Common Name References:
- Shaw, R.H., S. Bryner, and R. Tanner. 2009. The life history and host range of of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49: 105-113.
- Shaw, R.H., R. Tanner, D. Djeddour, and G. Cortat. 2011. Classical biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom - lessons for Europe. Weed Research 51(6): 552-558.

Weed Notes References:
- Schuster, T.M., K.L. Wilson, and K.A. Kron. 2011. Phylogenetic relationships of Muehlenbeckia, Fallopia, and Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) investigated with chloroplast and nuclear sequence data. International Journal of Plant Sciences 172(8): 1053–1066.
- Desjardins, S.D., Pashley, C.H., Bailey, J.P., 2022. A taxonomic, cytological and genetic survey of Japanese knotweed s.l. in New Zealand indicates multiple secondary introductions from Europe and a direct introduction from Japan. New Zealand Journal of Botany 61(1), 49–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2022.2090848

Weed Origin References:
- Shaw, R.H., S. Bryner, and R. Tanner. 2009. The life history and host range of of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49: 105-113.

Release and Source Information

List: 1 - Exotic Organisms Intentionally Introduced

Source: Ex. Japan (southern)
Year: 2010
Region: Europe
Country: England
Subregion of Country:
Subregion specific:

Release History: 2010–2013, 2015–2019

Release Notes: Two strains of this agent have thus far been released: Kyushu strain on Reynoutria japonica beginning in 2014 and Murakami strain on Reynoutria ×bohemica beginning in 2021. Initially Kyushu releases were restricted to 7 non-riparian sites due to stringent license conditions. Releases from 2015 onwards were made at riparian sites.

Source Information References:
- Shaw, R.H. 2013. Progress with weed biocontrol projects, CABI in the UK. June 2013. CABI United Kingdom. 3 pp.
- Shaw, R.H. 2013. (personal communication) CABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, United Kingdom.
- Shaw, R.H., S. Bryner, and R. Tanner. 2009. The life history and host range of of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49: 105-113.
- Shaw, R.H., R. Tanner, D. Djeddour, and G. Cortat. 2011. Classical biological control of Fallopia japonica in the United Kingdom - lessons for Europe. Weed Research 51(6): 552-558.
- Pratt, C.F., R.H. Shaw, R.A. Tanner, D.H. Djeddour, and J.G.M. Vos. 2013. Biological control of invasive non-native weeds: An opportunity not to be ignored. Entomologische Berichten 73(4): 144-154.
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.
- Camargo, A.M., D. Kurose, M.J.C. Post, and S.T.E. Lommen. 2022. A new population of the biocontrol agent Aphalara itadori performs best on the hybrid host Reynoutria x bohemica. Biological Control 174: 105007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.105007

Original Host Species

Recorded as collected from Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene whose name has since been changed back to Reynoutria japonica Houtt.

Original Host Species References:
- Grevstad, F., R. Shaw, R. Bourchier, P. Sanguankeo, G. Cortat, and R.C. Reardon. 2013. Efficacy and host specificity compared between two populations of the psyllid Aphalara itadori, candidates for biological control of invasive knotweeds in North America. Biological Control 65: 53-62.

Establishment

Established: No
Established in Subregion of Country:
Established in Subregion specific:

Establishment References:
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.
- Fung, C., P. González-Moreno, C. Pratt, T.H. Olivera, R.S. Bourchier, and M. González-Suárez. 2020. Effect of humidity and temperature on the performance of three strains of Aphalara itadori, a biocontrol agent for Japanese knotweed. Biological Control 146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104269.
- Camargo, A.M., D. Kurose, M.J.C. Post, and S.T.E. Lommen. 2022. A new population of the biocontrol agent Aphalara itadori performs best on the hybrid host Reynoutria x bohemica. Biological Control 174: 105007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.105007

Abundance

Not established

Abundance References:
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.
- Fung, C., P. González-Moreno, C. Pratt, T.H. Olivera, R.S. Bourchier, and M. González-Suárez. 2020. Effect of humidity and temperature on the performance of three strains of Aphalara itadori, a biocontrol agent for Japanese knotweed. Biological Control 146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104269.
- Camargo, A.M., D. Kurose, M.J.C. Post, and S.T.E. Lommen. 2022. A new population of the biocontrol agent Aphalara itadori performs best on the hybrid host Reynoutria x bohemica. Biological Control 174: 105007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.105007

Agent Impact

Impact: Not established
Geographic Scale of impact: Not Established
Impact Notes: Though initial results encouraging, permanent establishment not confirmed despite several releaes made in multiple years and with fresh stock. Climate matching believed to be the reason for failure. New psyllids collected from more climatically suitable areas in Japan currently undergoing host specificity testing.

Impact References:
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.
- Fung, C., P. González-Moreno, C. Pratt, T.H. Olivera, R.S. Bourchier, and M. González-Suárez. 2020. Effect of humidity and temperature on the performance of three strains of Aphalara itadori, a biocontrol agent for Japanese knotweed. Biological Control 146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104269.
- Camargo, A.M., D. Kurose, M.J.C. Post, and S.T.E. Lommen. 2022. A new population of the biocontrol agent Aphalara itadori performs best on the hybrid host Reynoutria x bohemica. Biological Control 174: 105007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.105007

Limiting Factors

Climate

Limiting Factors References:
- Grevstad, F.S., J.E. Andreas, R.S. Bourchier, R. Shaw, R.L. Winston, C.B. Randall, and R.C. Reardon. 2020. Biology and Biological Control of Knotweeds. FHTET-2017-03, 2nd Ed. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Other Attack

Were other species attacked?: No
Other Species Attacked Notes:

Research Organizations

Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International, Egham, United Kingdom (CABI United Kingdom)

Notes