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Solanum elaeagnifolium, one of the world’s most widespread invasive weeds, thrives in the regions of Tunisia with a semi-arid climate. An enhanced understanding of its biological traits could be useful for its management. For this purpose, S. elaeagnifolium vegetative propagation, flowering, fruiting, and spread patterns were assessed under semi-arid environmental conditions at Chott Mariem (Tunisia) over three years (2013–2015). Our results revealed that S. elaeagnifolium showed an active vegetative growth phase during the spring (March–May). Thereafter, the plant stopped its vegetative growth in June–August in favor of flowering and fruiting. The vegetative growth resumed during September–October and declined in November, announcing its dormant period. Thanks to its vigorous rhizomatous system, S. elaeagnifolium was able to emit offshoots within a radius of 1.5 m from parent shoots by 30 months after its establishment. These findings could inform and improve dedicated management control options for S. elaeagnifolium. Silverleaf nightshade should be controlled before the full-flowering stage in spring and following the first autumnal rainfall to prevent vegetative propagation and fruiting.

Biological invasions are considered as one of the most serious threats to the biodiversity. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (Aizoaceae) is reported invasive in many regions over the world. This paper aim to monitor its distribution in the Kerkennah islands and update its invasive status. Field surveys, performed during May 2022, were achieved to record M. crystallinum occurrences and generate the plant distribution map. Field monitoring reveals that M. crystallinum is widespread and has the ability to grow in a broad range of disturbed habitats. The plant distribution pattern show that it often forms dense stands which allow it to inhibit the growth of other plants. Concidering its behaviour M. crystallinum should be considered as a potential invasive plant in Tunisia which requires the implementation of an appropriate management plan.

This study aims to identify thrips species belonging to the genus Thrips occurring on weed species which harbor thrips when crops are absent. An inventory of thrips species was carried out during three consecutive years (2019, 2020 and 2021) in eleven locations in the governorate of Zaghouan (North-Eastern Tunisia). Seven thrips species belonging to the genus Thrips were identified: Thrips tabaci Lindemann (1888), T. angusticeps Uzel (1895), T. fuscipennis Haliday (1836), T. australis Bagnall (1915), T. meridionalis Priesner (1926), T. palmi Karny (1925) and T. imaginis Bagnall (1926). The most abundant and dominant thrips species was T. tabaci considered as eudominant species with 81.7%, followed by T. angusticeps and T. fuscipennis. The rest of identified species were classified as precedent. Regarding weeds, 31 species were identified (84% dicotyledonous and 16% monocotyledonous) belonging to 16 botanical families. The most represented families were Asteraceae (22%) followed by Poaceae (16%) and Fabaceae (13%). Among these 31 weeds, only 26 species were confirmed as hosts for thrips. Systematic and morphological description of thrips species are given in this paper.

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