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Rush Skeletonweed Bioagents
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There are three
biological control agents available for rush skeletonweed and all
three are released in combination. Cystiphora schmidti
is a midge that attacks the leaves and stems in the larval stage.
The larval feeding causes gall formation. Galls act as nutritive sinks
and reduce the surface area available for photosynthesis. Eriophyes
chondrillae is a mite that attacks the buds of rush skeletonweed
causing a reduction in plant vigor by reducing root carbohydrate reserves,
stunting plant growth, and decreasing or eliminating seed production.
Puccinia chondrillina is a rust fungus which attacks
all aboveground plant parts from rosette leaves to the stems and leaves
of vegetative shoots. Rust fungus infection reduces the photosynthetic
area causing a decrease in seed yield, weight, and overall viability.
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