The Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Case, What Makes a Good Biological Control Target: The Intersection of Science, Perspectives, Policy and Regulation

In this paper, we present an overview of our shared experiences from a thirteen-year discovery and testing period in search of effective biological control agents for garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande). Our experiences during this time reflect much of the dialog, debate, dilemmas, and policy discussions occurring in biological control of weeds today. For example, in the last decade, the values that underpin biological control, as well as standard requirements and stakeholder perspectives have been in a state of flux. Many research programs fail to sustain funding for such long pre-release periods. Policy goals and acceptable safety criteria have changed. Moreover, the fundamental perception of garlic mustard as a pest is shifting, leading some to question whether garlic mustard is a driver of change in invaded habitats or rather a symptom of habitat disruption. If it is a symptom, this can shift the perception of the risks of biocontrol. In this shifting scientific and social milieu, land managers are still challenged by stakeholder demands for management of garlic mustard. Land managers have a responsibility to manage their sites for the purposes for which the land is preserved and have limited control, or no control over potential higher-level drivers such as earthworms, deer, climate change, and human population pressures. The intent of this presentation is to discuss these and other issues common to many who work in biological control, framing the discussion within our garlic mustard experience as the basis for dialog.