Management Information
Preventative measures: Preventing an infestation is the most cost-effective approach to weed control. Preventative measures include maintaining healthy vegetation to inhibit the establishment of common ragweed, detection and surveillance along with proper land management to deter an infestation (NRW, 2007) and prevention of overgrazing, sourcing animal feed and hay, along with commercial agricultural seed (NWR, 2007). Hand-pulling of single plant stands should be combined with early detection and surveillance in areas with beginning infestation (C. Bohren., pers.comm., 2007). European scientists issued a "Call for Action" in 2008 to motivate responsible authorities to adopt measures to prevent further spread of ragweed in Europe and to control current infestations (C. Bohren., pers.comm., 2008).
Please follow this link for detailed information on physical, mechanical, biological, cultural and integrated methods used to control the common ragweed.
Location Specific Management InformationAustria
Recommended measures against A. artemisiifolia consist of raising awareness, prevention of introduction and further spread, surveillance and control measures (mechanical, chemical and biological control, as well as legal aspects). Application and choice of these measures depend on the level and location of the infestation (EPPO 2006). Beijing (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Canada
Mowing and hand-pulling were tested to see if effective in eradicating ragweed. Neither method eradicated the species but did reduce the amount of seed produced. Herbicide treatments work well at killing the plant. Central China (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Croatia
Zygogramma suturalis was released for biological control but failed to establish. Germany
Recommended measures against A. artemisiifolia consist of raising awareness, prevention of introduction and further spread, surveillance and control measures (mechanical, chemical and biological control, as well as legal aspects). Application and choice of these measures depend on the level and location of the infestation (EPPO 2006). Hungary
The "Interministerial Commission for a Ragweedfree Hungary" comprised of eight Hungarian ministries created a legal base for obligatory control of A. artemisiifolia and now cooperates with non-governmental organizations. Control is obligatory for each landowner before the flowering period. Landowners who do not comply can be fined between 20,000 and 5 million HUF (C. Bohren., pers.comm., 2008).
Recommended measures against A. artemisiifolia consist of raising awareness, prevention of introduction and further spread, surveillance and control measures (mechanical, chemical and biological control, as well as legal aspects). Application and choice of these measures depend on the level and location of the infestation (EPPO 2006). Italy
Recommended measures against A. artemisiifolia consist of raising awareness, prevention of introduction and further spread, surveillance and control measures (mechanical, chemical and biological control, as well as legal aspects). Application and choice of these measures depend on the level and location of the infestation (EPPO 2006). Japan
Ophraella communa was accidentally introduced into Japan but feeds on common ragweed and started to spread rapidly. When the larvae population has exhausted the common ragweed it move to sunflower species nearby but prefers ragweed for oviposition. Krasnodarskiy kray (Russian Federation)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Zygogramma suturalis was released for biological control and was able to control local populations of common ragweed. Liaoning (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. New South Wales (Australia)
A. artemisiifolia is classified as 'class 2' weed in Australia.
Physical, chemical, cultural and biological controls have all been implemented as management options for ragweed in Australia. Ophraella communa, Tarachidia candefacta and Epiblema strenuana have all been released with varying success rates for control. North China (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Northeast China (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Primorskiy kray (Russian Federation)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Zygogramma suturalis was released for biological control and was able to control local populations of common ragweed. Queensland (Australia)
A. artemisiifolia is classified as 'class 2' weed in Australia.
Physical, chemical, cultural and biological controls have all been implemented as management options for ragweed in Australia. Ophraella communa, Tarachidia candefacta and Epiblema strenuana have all been released with varying success rates for control. Slovenia
Recommended measures against A. artemisiifolia consist of raising awareness, prevention of introduction and further spread, surveillance and control measures (mechanical, chemical and biological control, as well as legal aspects). Application and choice of these measures depend on the level and location of the infestation (EPPO 2006). Southeastern China (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable. Switzerland
Mowing and herbicide applications have been used for the control of ragweed depending on land use where it occurs. Publications have been released to homeowners on the impact of the species and how to control it in residential areas. Cultural management of crop rotation in conjunction with herbicide has also been used. A Swiss Ambrosia website (http://www.ambrosia.ch) with information in French, Italian and German has been launched. Common ragweed is subject to official control in Switzerland since the Department for Economic Affairs has declared it an obligation to control this species. The ordinance of plant protection was adapted in 2006 and demands a zero tolerance for this weed in agriculture (Bohren, 2006). Concerted actions of various disciplines at the onset of an invasion may reduce plant dispersal at a moderate cost (C. Bohren., pers.comm., 2007). United States (USA)
Chemical and mechanical methods of control were used experimentally to see which methods eradicated the species best. Burning treatments worked but only if enough fuels were present for a complete burn. Herbicide treatments worked to kill back most of the population for control. Yangtze River (China)
A noctuid moth, Tarachidia candefacta and a stem galling tortricid moth, Epiblema strenuana, have both been released as biocontrols with establishment rates variable.
Zygogramma suturalis was released for biological control in China but failed to establish. Cultural plantings or ornamentals and groundcovers worked well at preventing reestablishment of ragweed along roadways.
Management Resources/Links
1. Bohren, C., 2006, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.-in Switzerland: concerted action to prevent further spreading, Nachrichtenbl. Deut. Pflanzenschutzd., 58 (11), S.304-308, 2006, ISSN 0027-7479;
Summary: The main source article cited for its relevance to introduction, spread, health, ecology, management options and legal aspects for the control efforts in Switzerland for common ragweed. 2. Dernovici, S.A., Teshler, M.P., & Watson, A.K., 2006, Is sunflower (Helianthus annuus) at risk to damage from Ophraella communa, a natural enemy of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)?, Biocontrol Science and Technology, Vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 669-686.
Summary: A thorough article describing species of insect, beetles and moths, that are currently being explored as biological control agents of common ragweed. It also details the disadvantages to herbicide and mechanical treatment. 3. Diang, J., Reardon, R., Wu, Y., Zheng, H., & Fu, Y., 2006, Biological control of invasive plants through collaboration between China and the United States of America: a perspective, Biological Invasions, Vol. 8, pp.1439-1450.
Summary: A report on some of the current efforts in collaboration between the Chinese and American educational institutions to work on invasive species and biological control agents. Common ragweed was among the species mentioned and describes some of the risks to biological control as well as a few species attempted as control. 6. Raynal, D.J., & Bazzaz, F.A., 1975, Interference of Winter Annuals with Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Early Successional Fields, Ecology, Vol. 56, pp. 35-49.
Summary: A paper discussing the effect summer annuals have on the fall vegetative composition and how winter annuals can suppress summer annual weeds, including ragweed. It primarily discusses the ecology dynamics between ragweed and winter annuals, with management options on cultural practices that could further suppress ragweed. 8. Vincent, G., Deslauriers, S., & Cloutier, D., Mar. 1992, Problems and eradication of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in Quebec in the urban and suburban environments, Allerg Immunol (Paris), Vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 84-89.
Summary: Mechanical and chemical control options for ragweed in urban and suburban environments. Its main options for control in these environments is through mechanical means. Results Page: 1
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