Madeira vine biocontrol

Anredera cordifolia Madeira vine, potato vine, lamb's tail vine, sweet mignonette The madeira vine is a [Weed of National Significance](http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeddetails.pl?taxon_id=2643) that poses serious environmental threat in Australia. Madeira vine is a vigorous perennial climber that forms dense mats capable of covering tree canopies and ultimately smothering rainforest vegetation. The resilience of the madeira vine is due to its reproduction via rhizomes and underground tubers which can remain viable for up to 15 years. Currently, one biocontrol agent has been released to control madeira vine. 1. Madeira vine leaf beetle *Plectonycha correntina* Madeira vine is a relatively new candidate for biocontrol because it does not yet cause significant economical impact on agricultural activities. In 2011 the first release of madeira vine leaf beetle was made in Brisbane, however it is still too early to assess the establishment of this population. One other biocontrol candidate Phenrica sp. has been studied and is yet to complete pre-release testing. Regular updates on field days, workshops, and research results are published on the Blog.  Madeira Vine Tubers, Photo: Jon Sullivan, [CC BY-NC 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/au/)

落葵薯（Anredera cordifolia）又名马德拉藤、马铃薯藤、羊尾藤、甜木犀草，是《国家重要杂草》（Weed of National Significance）收录物种，在澳大利亚已造成严重的生态环境威胁。马德拉藤为长势旺盛的多年生攀援藤本，可形成致密的覆被垫层，能够覆盖树木冠层并最终绞杀雨林植被。其极强的抗逆性源于通过根状茎与地下块茎进行繁殖，此类繁殖体可保持长达15年的生活力。

目前已有一种生物防治因子（biocontrol agent）被用于防控马德拉藤：1. 马德拉藤叶甲（*Plectonycha correntina*）。由于马德拉藤尚未对农业生产造成显著经济影响，其作为生防候选对象的研究起步相对较晚。2011年，研究人员首次在布里斯班释放马德拉藤叶甲，但目前仍无法评估该种群的定殖情况。另有生防候选类群 Phenrica sp.（ Phenrica 属物种）已被开展研究，但尚未完成释放前的相关测试。

有关田间开放日、专题研讨会及研究成果的定期更新信息均发布于该博客。
马德拉藤块茎，照片：乔恩·沙利文，知识共享署名-非商业性使用2.0许可（CC BY-NC 2.0）