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

De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2014). "Understanding plant morphology in the successful application of weed biocontrol.", 2014 Joint Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of Saskatchewan and Entomological Society of Canada, Saskatoon SK, Canada, September 28-October 1, 2014.
2014 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. and McClay, A. (2014). "Update on Canadian toadflax studies.", International Toadflax Biological Control Consortium Meeting, Northern Rockies Invasive Plant Council Meeting, Spokane, Washington, USA, February 10-13, 2014.
2014 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. and Laird, R.A. (2014). "Investigating the role of plant morphology in weed biocontrol.", 62nd Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, October 16-18, 2014.
2014 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2014). "A phytocentric focus in weed biological control: Does plant morphology affect insect and plant responses during interaction?", Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting 2014.
2014 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2014). "Update on Canada’s recent research on hawkweeds.", International Hawkweeds Biological Control Consortium Meeting, Northern Rockies Invasive Plant Council Meeting, Spokane, Washington, USA, February 10-13, 2014.
2014 - View publication details
Littlefield, J., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Grosskopf-Lachat, G., and Hinz, H.L. (2014). A petition for the field release of the hoverfly Cheilosia urbana (Diptera: Syrphidae) for biological control of alien invasive hawkweeds in North America. (Report)
2014 - View publication details
Winston, R., Randall, C.B., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., McClay, A., Andreas, J.E., and Schwarzländer, M. (2014). Field Guide for the Biological Control of Weeds in the Northwest., USDA. (Book)
2014 - View publication details
Gassmann, A., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Sing, S.E., Tŏsevski, I., Mitrović, M., and Krstić, O. (2014). "Erratum to: Biology and host specificity of Rhinusa pilosa, a recommended biological control agent of Linaria vulgaris.", BioControl, 59(4), pp. 485. doi : 10.1007/s10526-014-9580-0
2014 - View publication details
Gassmann, A., De Clerck-Floate, R., Sing, S., Toševski, I., Mitrović, M., Krstić, O. (2014). Biology and host specificity of Rhinusa pilosa, a recommended biological control agent of Linaria vulgaris. BioControl, [online] 59(4), 473-483. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9578-7
2014 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R.G., De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2014). Differential host-finding abilities by a weed biocontrol insect create within-patch spatial refuges for nontarget plants. Environmental Entomology, [online] 43(5), 1333-1344. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN14041
2014 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Welcoming our new immigrants, insects used in weed biocontrol.", Joint meetings of the Entomological Societies of Canada and Ontario, Guelph, ON, Canada, October 20-23, 2013, invited symposium presentation.
2013 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R.G., and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Spatial utilization patterns by the weed biocontrol weevil, Mogulones crucifer, differ between target and non-target plants.", 98th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, August 4-9, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Cynoglossum officinale (L.), Houndstongue (Boraginaceae).", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, Chapter 46, pp. 309-315.
2013 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R.G., and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Spatial utilization patterns by the weed biocontrol weevil, Mogulones crucifer, differ between target and non-target plants.", Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution Annual Meeting, Kelowna, BC, Canada, May 12-15, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Mason, P.G., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Erlandson, M.A., and Bailey, K.L. (2013). AAFC National Containment, Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (NCBB) update for AAFC Biological Control Working Group, 18 October 2013, Guelph, Ontario, 1pp. (Report)
2013 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. and McClay, A.S. (2013). "Linaria vulgaris Mill., Yellow Toadflax (Plantaginaceae).", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, Chapter 53, pp. 354-362.
2013 - View publication details
Corrigan, J., Gillespie, D.R., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., and Mason, P.G. (2013). "Lythrum salicaria L., Purple Loosestrife (Lythraceae).", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Chapter 54, pp. 363-366.
2013 - View publication details
McClay, A.S. and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Convolvulus arvensis L., Field Bindweed (Convolvulaceae).", in Mason, P.G. and Gillespie, D.R. (eds.) - Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, Chapter 45, pp. 307-309.
2013 - View publication details
Moffat, C.E., Lalonde, R.G., Ensing, D.J., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Grosskopf-Lachat, G., Pither, J. (2013). Frequency-dependent host species use by a candidate biological control insect within its native European range. Biological Control, [online] 67(3), 498-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.10.007
2013 - View publication details
De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2012). Unveiling the patterns and processes of weed biological control. AAFC Research Highlights 2011-Lethbridge Research Centre. 31 July 2012. (Report)
2012 - View publication details