issg Database: Management and Information Links for Passiflora tarminiana

Passiflora tarminiana (vine, climber)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Management Information

Physical: Small plants can be hand pulled; older ones must be dug out (PIER, 2003).
Chemical: Cut vines and treat with herbicide, such as Tordon, Roundup or Escort (Binggeli, 1997; DOC, 2003).
Biological: Three biocontrol agents have been released in Hawai‘i. Cyanotricha necryia, a foliage-feeding moth, was released in 1988 but failed to establish.
Another moth species, Pyrausta perelegans, was released in 1991. It feeds on the buds, leaves, fruit, and shoot tips of P. tarminiana. It has established but is not common. A leaf spot fungus, Septoria passiflorae, which was released in 1996, is now widespread and causing large disease epidemics. There have been P. tarminiana biomass reductions of 80-95% over more than 2000 ha, giving indications that the leaf spot fungus has great potential. Other agents that are being investigated include Zapriotheca nr. nudiseta, a fly that feeds on flower buds, as well as Josia fluonia and J. ligata, two species of defoliating moths (Landcare Research 1999; 2001). In damp areas P. tarminiana may suffer from slug herbivory (Binggeli, 1997).

         Location Specific Management Information
Hawaii (United States (USA))
Biocontrol agents that are being investigated include Zapriotheca nr. nudiseta, a fly that feeds on flower buds, and two species of defoliating moths (Josia fluonia, J. ligata). Cyanotricha necryia, a foliage-feeding moth, was released in 1988 but failed to establish.
Another moth species, Pyrausta perelegans, was released in 1991. It feeds on the buds, leaves, fruit, and shoot tips. It has established but is not common .
A leaf spot fungus, Septoria passiflorae, which was released in 1996, is now widespread and causing large disease epidemics. There have been Passiflora tarminiana biomass reductions of 80-95% over more than 2000 ha, giving indications that the leaf spot fungus has great potential for the control of Passiflora tarminiana.
Hilo Forest Reserve (United States (USA))
The biocontrol agent Septoria passiflorae, a leaf spot fungus, has decreased P. tarminiana fruit production by an estimated 90% in the reserve. There are disease epidemics of this fungus throughout 5000 ha of the reserve.
New Zealand
Landcare Research is working with the United States Forest Service to develop biological control in New Zealand. Four insects (Cyanotricha necyria, Pyrausta perelegans, Zapriothrica nr. nudiseta, and Dasiops caustonae) are under investigation for their suitability in New Zealand conditions.

         Management Resources/Links

1. Binggeli, P. 1997. Passiflora mollissima HBK. Bailey (Passifloraceae). Woody plant Ecology.
        Summary: Some useful information on P mollissima/tarminiana. Minimal management information.
Available from: http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp13.htm [Accessed 24 January 2003].
2. DOC (Department of Conservation, NZ). 2003. Available from: http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/003~Weeds/Banana-Passionfruit.asp [Accessed 20 January 2003]
        Summary: Good information on banana passionfruit in New Zealand, with good coverage of control methods.
3. Gardner, D. E. 1998. Passiflora mollissima. University of Hawaii, Botany Department.
        Summary: Has information on research being conducted as to the control of this species in Hawaii.
Available from: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/gardner/biocontrol/banana%20poka/passiflora.htm [accessed 24 January 2003]
4. Landcare Research, 1999, What's New in biological control of Weeds? No. 13 Nov 1999.
        Summary: A brief article about control of banana passionfruit in New Zealand.
Available from: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/newsletters/weeds/wtsnew13.pdf [Accessed 20 January 2003].
5. Landcare Research, 2001, What's New in biological control of Weeds? No. 19 Nov 2001.
        Summary: 'Honey, I Shrunk the Weed'. A very useful article with good pictures on the use of biological contol in Hawaii.
Available from: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/newsletters/weeds/wtsnew19.pdf [Accessed 20 January 2003]
6. Landcare Research, 2002. What's New in biological control of Weeds? No. 21 May 2002.
        Summary: Has a small amount of information regarding biological control, and a footnote on Passiflora species in New Zealand.
Available from: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/newsletters/weeds/wtsnew21.pdf [Accessed 12 August, 2003].
7. PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk), 2003. Passiflora tarminiana
        Summary: Contains a useful comparison between three species in the Passiflora spp. Ecology, synonyms, common names, distributions (Pacific as well as global), management and impact information.
Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/passiflora_tarminiana.htm [Accessed 12 August, 2003]
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The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.