Biotic factors’ potential in controlling the spread of Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. (review)

This review examines natural pests, competitors of the Heracleum sosnowsky. Special attention is paid to the role of mutualism in the invasiveness of hogweed. the parsnip yellow spot virus, larvae of the weevil (Lixus iridis (Olivier, 1807)), agromyzid flies (Phytomyza pastinacae (Hendel, 1923)), umbrella moth (Epermenia chaerophyllella (Goeze, 1783)), scoops (Dasypolia temple (Thunberg, 1792)), depressariids (Depressaria radiella (Goeze, 1783)), celery fly (Euleia heraclei (Linnaeus, 1758)), lamellate beetles (Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761)), caterpillars of the Kamchatka Swallowtail (Papilio machaon (Linnaeus, 1758)) significantly damaged Heracleum sosnowsky. Thrips vulgatissimus (Haliday, 1836) feeds on the sap, while Lixus iridis eat leaves and stems of the above mentioned hogweed. Phoma complanate (Tode) (=Calophoma complanate) is a phytopathogenic fungi that damage Heracleum sosnowsky. Powdery mildew, ascochitosis and cylindrosporosis are most common fungal diseases of the giant hogweed. Shellfish farming and livestock grazing curb the spread of hogweed. Due to the lack of competition in the environment, the importance of its artificial creation is discussed. The fast-growing perennial grasses create dense turf that prevents germinating of hogweed seeds. Poa pratensis L., Alopecurus pratensis L., Bromus inermis Leyss., Festuca rubra L., Phlum pratense L., Lolium perenne L., Helianthus tuberosus L., and Galega orientalis Lam. are among them. Replacement crops, such as Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L., can compete in vacant lots and abandoned lands. The success of the hogweed populations introduction depends on the presence of pollinators, the spread of its seeds by animals and humans; symbiosis with fungi and bacteria. The possibility of limiting the spread of hogweed through the absence of species that improve its adaptability is discussed. It was concluded that biological control agents are promising to use and additional studies is needed to reduce the number of Heracleum sosnowsky and eliminate negative consequences for the environment.