Working Toward Developing Species-Specific Controls for Filter-Feeding Aquatic Invasive Species

Asian carp and dreissenid mussels threaten many aquatic systems throughout North America. Unfortunately, resource managers are presently limited to non-specific piscicides/molluscicides for control of these aquatic invaders and thus the development of management controls that are more specific is of a high priority to resource managers. One potential method seeks to exploit the filter-feeding habits of these invaders through capturing bioactive compounds within a microparticle for targeted delivery. Using technologies developed for the aquaculture and food industries, microparticles that require specific digestive enzymes for bioactive release bioactive are presently under development to selectively deliver control agents to Asian carp and dreissenid mussels. Differences in digestive processes, feeding habits and size selectivity between the invasive and native species suggest the feasibility of this approach. A variety of microparticles have been developed to accommodate different types of control agents. These particles have been found to be readily consumed by Asian carps and studies are currently underway to assess acceptance by dreissenid mussels. Results suggest that these microparticles have the potential to deliver selected bioactive agents to filter-feeding aquatic invasive organisms for population management as part of an integrative pest management program.