Rosemarie De Clerck-Floate, Ph.D.

Research Scientist - Weed Biological Control

Research on:

- Biological control of weeds

- Plant-insect interactions

- Insect and plant ecology

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

5403 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta

Current research and/or projects

Effects of soil moisture and nitrogen (climate change) on efficacy of weed biological control
Development of release strategies for predictable establishment and impact of weed biocontrol agents
Development of methods for biocontrol agent mass-production
Assessment of biological control safety and efficacy via studies of insect-plant ecological and evolutionary associations, insect and plant behaviour, insect impact on plant individuals and populations

Research and/or project statements

Biological control is a valuable tool in the mitigation of agricultural and environmental impacts from pest threats such as weeds. When effective, the strategy provides a sustainable, long-term and low-cost solution to pest management, especially in areas where chemical control may be unfeasible for economic and/or environmental reasons (e.g., weed control on native rangelands). Canada is seen as a world leader in the discovery, development and safe use of biological control agents for weeds, and since the AAFC program’s initiation in 1951, has produced several notable successes. Our program partners with regional governments, industry (cattle producers), academia, and international experts (e.g. CABI) in the assessment, release, and knowledge development for new biocontrol agents against emerging weed problems in Canada.

Professional activities / interests

Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia - Okanagan
Adjunct Professor, University of Lethbridge
President, Entomological Society of Canada (2013)
Member, AAFC National Containment, Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee
Member, AAFC Biological Control Working Group
Student training
Science and art collaborations

Education and awards

Ph.D. (Botany/Entomology) – Northern Arizona University
M.Sc. (Biology) - University of Saskatchewan
B.Sc. (Biology) – Laurentian University
Federal Government 5-NR Science Award for Leaders in Sustainable Development (with R. Bourchier )for Weed Biocontrol Research 2001

International experience and/or work

Scientific Advisor – International weed biological control projects (e.g. toadflax, houndstongue, hawkweeds).
Transfer of Work (weed biological control)– CSIRO Brisbane, Australia (2004 – 2005)

Key publications

Mason, P.G., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Catton, H., and Gallant, B. 2024. Regulation of Biological Control Organisms in Canada. In: Vankosky, M.A. and Martel, V. (eds.) Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2013-2023. CAB International Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, United Kingdom. (in press).
2024 - View publication details
Moffat, C.E. et al. 2024. Federal update on current targets for biological control in British Columbia. Invasives 2024 ISCBC Annual Forum and AGM New Westminster 2024/02/26 - 2024/02/29.
2024 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A., J. Littlefield, G. Cortat, and C.E. Moffat (2023) Hawkweed biocontrol agents: History and ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2023-36-HAWKWEEDS-A.
2024 - View publication details
Moffat, C.E., R.A. De Clerck-Floate, J. Littlefield, and G. Cortat. 2023. Hawkweeds (Pilosella spp.): History and ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2023-36- HAWKWEEDS-P.
2024 - View publication details
Ensing DJ, R Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V Miller, S Turner & CE Moffat. 2023. Explaining variable success of biological control of invasive spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos (Asteraceae), in British Columbia, Canada. Page 108. In: Proceedings of the XVI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (eds. Cabrera Walsh G., Anderson F.E., Mc Kay F., Sosa A.J. and Hernández M.C.), page number. Puerto Iguazú, Argentina.
2023 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ*, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, and CE Moffat. 2023. Understanding variable biological control of invasive spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos Asteraceae) in British Columbia. Invited oral presentation. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Societies of Saskatchewan and Canada. Saskatoon, SK, 15-18 October 2023.
2023 - View publication details
Ensing DJ, E Bacon, CG Eckert, R Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V Miller, S Turner & CE Moffat. 2023 Explaining variable success of biological control of invasive spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos (Asteraceae), in British Columbia, Canada. XVI International Symposium on biological control of weeds. Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, 07-12 May 2023.
2023 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, and CE Moffat. 2023. 30 years of biological control of invasive spotted knapweed in British Columbia. Alberta Invasive Species Council Annual Conference and General Meeting. 07-08 March 2023. Olds, AB.
2023 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, and CE Moffat. 2023. Variable biological control of invasive spotted knapweed in BC. Invasive Species Council of British Columbia Annual Forum. 28 Feb – 02 March 2023. New Westminster, BC.
2023 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, P. Weyl, and CE Moffat. 2023. Research on invasive plant species biological control a AAFC’s Summerland Research and Development Centre. 2023. Okanagan College Speaker Series, 06 Feb 2023, Penticton, BC.
2023 - View publication details
Sing, S.E., R.A. De Clerck-Floate, C.B. Randall, S.M. Ward, and I. Toševski. 2022. Toadflaxes (Linaria spp.): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2022-29-TOADFLAXES-P.
2022 - View publication details
Sing, S.E., R.A. De Clerck-Floate, C.B. Randall, and I. Toševski. 2022. Toadflax Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW- 2022-29-TOADFLAXES-A.
2022 - View publication details
Sing, S.E., R.A. De Clerck-Floate, C.B. Randall, and I. Toševski. 2022. Toadflax Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW- 2022-29-TOADFLAXES-A.
2022 - View publication details
Sing, S.E., R.A. De Clerck-Floate, C.B. Randall, S.M. Ward, and I. Toševski. 2022. Toadflaxes (Linaria spp.): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2022-29-TOADFLAXES-P.
2022 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, and CE Moffat. 2022. Reflecting on 52 years of spotted knapweed biological control in Canada. North American Invasive Species Management Association Biocontrol Summit. 01 December 2022. Virtual meeting.
2022 - View publication details
Moffat, C.E., Floate, K., De Clerck-Floate, R. Detection and implications of cryptic species in weed biocontrol systems. In: Inspiration from Hidden Diversity: Cryptic Species and the Future of Insect Taxonomy Symposium. 2022 ESA, ESC and ESBC Joint Annual Meeting. November 13-16 2022. Vancouver, BC.
2022 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, and CE Moffat. 2022. Variable biological control of spotted knapweed in British Columbia. Joint Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America and the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution. 14-19 August 2022 Montreal, QC.
2022 - View publication details
Ensing, DJ, RS Bourchier, R De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, and CE Moffat. 2022. Biological control of spotted knapweed in the East Kootenay (and beyond). East Kootenay Invasive Species Council Annual General Meeting. Invited Virtual Presentation. 09 June 2022.
2022 - View publication details
Ensing, D.J., R. Bourchier, R. De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, C. Moffat. 2021. Research on invasive plant species biological control at AAFC’s Summerland RDC. Guest Lecture to U Saskatchewan's Invasive Plants course (Prof: Jon Bennett) 17 Feb. 2022.
2022 - View publication details
Ensing, D.J., R. Bourchier, R. De Clerck-Floate, V. Miller, S. Turner, C. Moffat. 2021. 50 years of biological control of invasive spotted knapweed in British Columbia. ISCBC Virtual Forum. 15-17 Feb. 2022.
2022 - View publication details