Biological control of Lantana camara in South Africa: targeting a different niche with a root-feeding agent, Longitarsus sp.

Abstract

The root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), was studied as a potential biological control agent for Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa. Host range tests were carried out on 52 plant species in 11 families. Although 11 plant species, all in the family Verbenaceae, supported complete development of Longitarsus sp. during no-choice tests, the beetles showed very strong preferences for L. camara during paired-choice and multi-choice tests. The results confirm that the beetles have a narrow host range, and that under natural conditions they are highly unlikely to utilise plants other than L. camara. In the unlikely event that some of the Lippia spp. are attacked in the field, they are not expected to sustain populations of the flea beetle over time. Attributes that should enhance the biocontrol potential of Longitarsus sp. include: the adults are long-lived and highly mobile; and, the larvae cause extensive direct damage to the roots of L. camara, which could in turn expose the plants to soil-born pathogens. All indications are that Longitarsus sp. could make a substantial contribution to the biological control of L. camara in many countries around the world because the beetles pose no threat to non-target plant species and they damage a part of the plant (i.e. roots) not yet affected by any other agent species.

Biology and host range of Aconophora compressa, a candidate considered as a biocontrol agent of Lantana camara in Africa

“…Folivorous biocontrol agents typically suffer high mortality rates during these periods, and populations only recover sufficiently to impact on plants by midsummer (Cilliers, 1987a;Baars and Neser, 1999). Additional candidate agents with the ability to survive the drier conditions should therefore be selected and priority should be given to guilds that are less dependent on the leaf resource (Neser and Cilliers, 1990;Baars and Neser, 1999;Simelane, 2005). Two such agents, the stem-boring cerambycid, Aerenicopsis championi Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and the stem-sucking treehopper, Aconophora compressa Walker (Homoptera: Membracidae), are considered damaging, and have been released in Australia (Palmer et al, 1996(Palmer et al, , 2000.…”

Interaction BetweenUroplata girardi(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) andOphiomyia camarae(Diptera: Agromyzidae) on a Shared HostLantana camara(Verbenaceae)

“…Plants used in the study were propagated from a single L. camara mother plant of variety 021 Dark Pink collected at Kuswag Road, Amanzimtoti, KZN (30Њ 02Ј 08Љ S, 30Њ 53Ј 42Љ E). Variety 021 appears to be the most common in KZN, and the most used by both U. girardi and O. camarae (Simelane 2005, Heystek 2006). Forty eight shoot-tip cuttings of 7 cm in length were dipped in rooting hormone, planted in peat cylinders, transported to Pretoria and placed on a warm mist-bed in a glasshouse to induce rooting.…”

Biodiversity of Lianas

“…Global Invasive Species Information Network now categorizes Lantana as one among the top ten invasive species in the world (GISIN 2011 ). As of now, Lantana has invaded more than 13 million ha in India, 5 million ha in Australia, and 2 million ha in South Africa ( Wells and Stirton 1988 ;Simelane 2005 ;Sharma and Raghubanshi 2011 ).…”