Review of the Biology, Distribution, and Management of the Invasive Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis Poir)

Abstract

Whilst exotic invasive species are a major threat to natural and modified ecosystems around the world, management programs to reduce their impacts often fail due to a lack of information about their biology and how best to control them in various situations. This paper reviews the currently available information on the biology, distribution, and management options for the invasive weed Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (fireweed). In addition, we developed a model to predict the climatic suitability of this weed around the world based on the current climate. Senecio madagascariensis originates from southern Africa but it has been introduced to several other countries including Australia. Climatic suitability suggests that there are large areas around the world suitable for the weed’s growth where it is currently not present. The weed poses a major threat to livestock industries in these countries through its ability to reduce pasture production and poison animals. A range of control techniques have been used to try and manage S. madagascariensis. This paper highlights how a better understanding of the biology of S. madagascariensis can help determine the most effective treatments to impose and to further develop integrated management strategies. Besides using traditional approaches, the use of competitive pastures and more tolerant livestock (such as sheep and goats) are some of the other options recommended as part of an integrated approach. On-going research to identify host-specific biological control agents is also considered a priority.

Registros nuevos y comentarios taxonómicos en Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae y Monimiaceae para el bosque tropical Atlántico de Brasil

“…5 mm de largo. Distribución, hábitat y estado de conservación: la especie es originaria de Esuatini, Islas Mascarenes, Madagascar, Mozambique y Sudáfrica (Ramadan et al, 2010;Scott et al, 1998;Wijayabandara, 2022) y fue introducida en diversos países como en Argentina, Uruguay y Brasil (Cabrera, 1963;Lombardo, 1983;Matzenbacher y Schneider, 2008). La especie ruderal se presenta como una fuerte invasora tóxica a los animales de pastoreo (Cruz et al, 2010;Grecco et al, 2011).…”

Invasive Senecio madagascariensis Poir. and the Senecio pinnatifolius A.Rich. complex (Senecioneae): Evolutionary relationships and their implications for biological control research

“…Unfor tunately, research into the potential biocontrol of fireweed in Australia has often been impeded by taxonomic confusion around both fireweed itself and its presumed closest Australian relatives, and by misunderstandings of their phylogenetic relationships as discussed below. Uncer tainty persists in the literature to this day (Wijayabandara et al, 2022).…”

“…considered the two species to be in "taxonomic close proximity". MostWijayabandara et al (2022) wrote that "the taxonomic position of Australian S. madagascariensis is undetermined", thus underlining the need for a re-examination of the phylogenetic placement of fireweed in the context of native Australian Senecio species.…”

The Current and Potential Distribution of Parthenium Weed and Its Biological Control Agent in Pakistan

“…The CLIMEX software package [ 13 ] is an important tool that has been used for exploring the effect of the climate on the distribution of arthropod pests, diseases, and weeds [ 3 , 14 ]. This package has successfully been used to predict the potential future distribution of invasive plants under both current and future climate change scenarios [ 15 , 16 , 17 ], as well as for biological control agents [ 18 , 19 ]. McConnachie et al [ 3 ], using the CLIMEX modeling tool, predicted that parthenium weed could expand its current distribution range in Africa and potentially invade much larger areas of the world.…”