Top 20 environmental weeds for classical biological control in Europe: a review of opportunities, regulations and other barriers to adoption

Classical biological control remains the only tool available for permanent ecological and economic management of invasive alien species that flourish through absence of their co‐evolved natural enemies. As such, this approach is recognized as a key tool for alien species management by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (ESIAS). Successful classical biological control programmes abound around the world, despite disproportionate attention being given to occasional and predictable non‐target impacts. Despite more than 130 case histories in Europe against insect pests, no exotic classical biological control agent has been released in the EU against an alien invasive weed. This dearth has occurred in the face of increasing numbers of exotic invasive plants being imported and taking over National Parks, forests and amenity areas in this region, as well as a global increase in the use of classical biological control around the world. This paper reviews potential European weed targets for classical biological control from ecological and socioeconomic perspectives using the criteria of historical biological control success, taxonomic isolation from European native flora, likely availability of biological control agents, invasiveness outside Europe and value to primary industry and horticulture (potential for conflicts of interest). We also review why classical biological control of European exotic plants remains untested, considering problems of funding and public perception. Finally, we consider the regulatory framework that surrounds such biological control activities within constituent countries of the EU to suggest how this approach may be adopted in the future for managing invasive exotic weeds in Europe.     

Virus impact at the interface of an ancient ecosystem and a recent agroecosystem: studies on three legume-infecting potyviruses in the southwest Australian floristic region

The southwest Australian floristic region (SWAFR) is an internationally recognized 'hot spot' of global biodiversity and has an endangered flora. It represents a unique interface between an ancient ecosystem and a recent agroecosystem, providing the opportunity to investigate encounters where the recipient of the virus is an introduced crop and the donor a native plant and vice versa. Phylogenetic analysis of the virus coat-protein genes was used to study isolates of three potyviruses representing different 'new encounter' scenarios at this interface. The incidence, symptomatology, host range, non-persistent aphid transmission and considerable genetic diversity of the first indigenous virus described from the SWAFR, where it infects the native legume Hardenbergia comptoniana , and its potential to damage lupin, a locally important, newly introduced cultivated grain legume, was studied. The name Hardenbergia mosaic virus is proposed for this virus. Two other examples of 'new encounter' scenarios involving other legume-infecting potyviruses studied were: Passion fruit woodiness virus , which has been found only in Australasia, where it damages recently introduced species of Passiflora and legumes; and Bean yellow mosaic virus, which is not indigenous to Australia and was introduced recently to the SWAFR, where it infects a number of introduced legumes, but also damages the local native legume Kennedia prostrata . Isolates of the former had considerable genetic diversity consistent with the virus being indigenous, while isolates of the latter virus from K. prostrata had a low genetic diversity consistent with recent arrival. This research illustrates how introduced viruses can damage indigenous plants and indigenous viruses can damage introduced cultivated plants within this unique ecosystem, and how human activities can facilitate damaging 'new encounters' between plants and viruses.     

Unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques and residual effects in dogs

Objectives To investigate the use of unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques in dogs without fibreoptic bronchoscopy, using an adapted single vascular catheter and a double-lumen catheter made from two single vascular catheters.
Animals Sixty-nine dogs were examined with the single-catheter technique and 110 dogs with the double-catheter technique.
Design A prospective study.
Procedure Sixty-nine and 220 samples, collected with the single catheter and the double catheter respectively, were examined cytologically Lungs of 69 dogs were examined grossly and histologically. Radiographic examination was performed on 11 dogs.
Results The double-catheter technique produced samples with significantly higher cellularity (P < 0.01) and fewer red blood cells (P < 0.01) than the single-catheter technique. Repeat samples collected with a double catheter were not significantly different (P > 0.01) in any value. A reference range for nucleated cell counts of 62 to 1210 – 10⁶/L was calculated from 57 clinically and histologically normal dogs. The major residual effects of the technique were localised pulmonary oedema, and alveolar distension with collapse and congestion of distant parenchyma. Thoracic radiographs revealed increased lung opacity for at least up to 7 h after the procedure.
Conclusions The cellularity of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained was adequate and sufficient fluid was retrieved when the single catheter was located in a proper position. However, the double catheter obtained better samples more quickly and easily, with less damage to the respiratory tract.     

Effect of the route of administration on the mucosal and systemic immune responses to Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in pigs

In an on‐farm study, 40 weaned piglets aged 3 weeks were vaccinated with Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine orally, IM or IP while a fourth group remained unvaccinated. All vaccinated animals showed increased serum levels of L. intracellularis‐specific IgG antibodies, but significantly elevated concentrations of specific IgG, IgA and cytokines were generated in ileal mucosal secretions from the orally and IP vaccinated pigs when examined at 17 days after vaccination.     

Thiamin deficiency in cats and dogs associated with feeding meat preserved with sulphur dioxide

Thiamin deficiency was diagnosed in cats and dogs being fed fresh minced meat, which contained sulphur dioxide as a preservative and less than 0.5 mg/kg thiamin. Thiamin in the meat and in added dietary ingredients, including a supplementary vitamin mixture, was destroyed by the sulphur dioxide.     

The formation of dry zones in the sapwood of conifers II. The role of living cells in the release of water

Dry zones in conifer wood, characterised by gas filled tracheids, were induced by the injection of dilute solutions of various toxic chemicals followed by incubation at 10 or 20°C. The development of dry zones did not occur at lower temperatures nor with concentrated solutions and was prevented or retarded in an atmosphere of nitrogen. These results are discussed in relation to the development of dry zones in infections by Fomes annosus and other fungi and in the formation of heartwood. It is postulated that the gradual death of ray cells alters their metabolism in such a way that gas emboli are evolved in adjacent tracheids; this can occur at sites of infection or at a distance under the influence of transportable or diffusible toxins.