Russian scientists have discovered a potential "killer" of the hogweed plant.

Sosnowski's hogweed, whose spread poses a threat of ecological disaster, previously had almost no natural enemies. Recently, a team of scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences and Moscow State University discovered that the roots of hogweed can damage the sciara flies Bradysia impatiens—tiny dipteran insects that destroy plants in greenhouses.

2024-12-03 10:01:39https://naked-science.ru/article/biology/ubijtsa-borshhevika

Efforts to prevent the giant hogweed from spreading to new areas involve techniques such as tilling, mowing, chemical treatments, and replacing it with cultivated plants. Additionally, researchers have developed an AI monitoring system capable of identifying concentrations of this invasive weed in real-time aboard drones.

However, all these measures require considerable effort, time, and resources. If the situation regarding the spread of giant hogweed is not managed, it could expand its range and take over the entire European part of Russia, reaching as far north as 30 years from now, warned experts from Skoltech earlier.

The discovery of a new pest species on giant hogweed raises hopes that new avenues in the fight against this aggressive and toxic weed may soon emerge.

Giant hogweed, whose roots are heavily populated by the larvae of the sciarid fly Bradysia impatiens (Diptera, Sciaridae), was found in the Moscow region, near one of the greenhouse farms.

According to scientists, the bright yellow larvae, about one centimeter in size, were located in several cavities within the root in groups of 15-30 individuals. They were eating through the core of the root, leading to its decay, stunted growth of new leaves, chlorosis, and wilting of the plant.

The sciarid flies Bradysia impatiens (also known as fungus gnats or soil gnats) damage over 25 species of plants, including mushrooms and other fungal crops. In nature, these insects inhabit decaying wood and areas with accumulated debris. They can be found in greenhouses and in pots of houseplants.

The females lay their eggs in moist, loose soil close to the roots. The hatching larvae begin to feed aggressively, damaging the root system. This disrupts the plant's nutrition, leading to gradual wilting.

The authors of a new article published in the "Russian Journal of Biological Invasions" described the mass development of B. impatiens larvae in the roots of Sosnovsky's giant hogweed as a unique event.

“The sciarids B. impatiens successfully colonized the plant's root, and the larvae developed in large numbers; the emerged adults were active and showed no developmental abnormalities,” the researchers noted.

Scientists added that the adaptation of this dangerous weed to a new pest indicates an ongoing process of interaction between giant hogweed and phytophagous insects. Previously, these insects avoided the plant due to the presence of phytotoxic furanocoumarins in its roots, which protect against pests and diseases.