1. Invasion of Melaleuca Quinquenervia in Southern Florida by: Val Steinbronn

2. Introduced Species Native to Australia Impacts fire management in S. Florida Changes soil topography Invades Cladium jamaicensis marshes

3. Plant Facts Grows up to 90 feet high(20 meters) Forms dense stands Loose outer bark White flowers Seeds produced in capsules

4. Fire Management Concerns Crown fires common Foliage contains flammable oils/resins Increased reproduction potential post burn Leaf/branch litter on forest canopy allows for ground fires and more intense fires

5. Integrated Pest Management Mechanical treatments Herbicide application Biological control agents

6. Biological Control Agents 1997 Oxyops vitiosa (melaleuca leaf weevil) 2002 Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (sap-sucking psyllid) 2004 Fergusonina turneri (melaleuca bud gall fly)

7. Herbivory Study Herbivory by Oxyops vitiosa reduces reproduction (Pratt et al 2005)

8. References Flores, Alfredo. 2004. TAMEing Melaleuca with IPM. Agricultural Research. Vol. 52 Issue 11 2-6. Flowers, J.D. 1991. Subtropical fire suppression in Melaleuca quinquenervia. Pp. 151 158. In: Center, T.D., R.F. Doren, R.L. Hofstetter, R.L. Myers, and L.D. Whiteaker, (eds.). Proc. Symp. Exotic Pest Plants, Nov. 2-4, 1988, Miami, Fl. NPS/NREVER/NRTR-91/06 Tech. Rept., US Dept. Int., Nat. Park Serv., Denver,CO. Laroche, F.B. 1994. Melaleuca Management Plan for Florida. Exotic Pest PlantCouncil. 88pp. Wade, D.D. 1981. Some melaleuca-fire relationships including recommendations for homesite protection. pp. 29-35 In: R.K. Geiger, (ed). Proc. Melaleuca Symp.Sept. 23-24,1980, Edison Comm. Coll., Ft. Myers. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Cons. Serv., Div. Forestry, Tallahassee.