Tamarix biological control in North America [Chapter 28]

Plant Community Response to Control of a Dominant Invader at Multiple Scales

New locality for the tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) biological agent Diorhabda spp. in southeastern Arizona

Biocontrol & Threatened and Endangered Species Amanda Stahlke1*

Applying Satellite-based Habitat Models to Inform Riparian Habitat Restoration and Management Actions for Two Listed Riparian Species, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo 

  James Hatten1, Jennifer Holmes2, and Matthew Johnson3* 

Using Tamarisk Beetle Pheromone Lures to Reduce Re-growth of Tamarisk Following Tree Cutting  Cynthia Brown1*, Hannah Ertl2, Dan Bean3, Zeynep Ozsoy4, Farley Ketchum Sr.5, and Emily Swartz6 

An Integrated Pest Management Plan for the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. This plan outlines the biological degradation of native riparian forest habitat along the Lower Colorado River and the invasive species management actions needed to protect and restore riparian forests and marshlands of the Bill Williams River. 

DeRango, B., 2023. Integrated Pest Management Plan Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge.

From the abstract:

An understanding of trait-environment relationships is particularly important in the case of invasive species which may alter abiotic conditions and available resources. This study is the first to measure the functional response of riparian plant communities to biocontrol of an invasive species.

Each year, with the help of numerous partners across thirteen states and Mexico, RiversEdge West produces an annual distribution map that notes the presence and absence of Diorhabda spp. from sampling sites across the west. The links below contain all archived tamarisk beetle maps spanning over a decade. 

A two-part study looking at how changes in soil salinity affect tamarisk growth and how beetle-induced defoliation affects tamarisk growing in soils with different salinities. Results showed that tamarisk plants grow better in soils with a similar salinity to their own origin site and that lower salinity does not benefit tamarisk plants adapted to higher saline conditions.