Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Unsuitability of Charidotis pygmaea for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa

  • Published:
BioControl Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The host range of the tortoise beetle,Charidotis pygmaea Klug (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), was studied under quarantinelaboratory conditions to evaluate the insect'ssuitability for release as a biological controlagent for the noxious weed, Lantanacamara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa.Culturing on the target plant, L. camara,proved problematic with high larvalmortalities. Host-specificity studies showedthat four species in the genus Lantana,and two species in the genus Lippiawere acceptable as host plants. Duringlarval development trials, the insect performedbetter on the indigenous Lantana rugosaThunb. (Verbenaceae) and the introduced,commercially used L. montevidensis(Spreng.) Briq. (Verbenaceae), than on any ofthe weedy South African L. camaravarieties tested. Adult multi-choice trialsindicated that the beetle preferred to ovipositon L. rugosa and L. montevidensis.It is therefore recommended that C.pygmaea not be released against L.camara in Africa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baars, J-R. and S. Neser, 1999. Past and present initiatives on the biological control of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in South Africa. Afr. Ent. Mem. 1: 21–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broughton, S., 1999. Evaluation of some Insect Species Introduced for the Biological Control of Lantana camara L. in South-East Queensland, Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broughton, S., 2000. Commentary. Review and evaluation of lantana biocontrol programs. Biol. Contr. 17: 272–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cilliers, C.J. and S. Neser, 1991. Biological control of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in South Africa. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 37: 57–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, M.D. and T.D. McAndrew, 2002. Status of Charidotis pygmaea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as a biological control agent of Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae) in Australia. Biol. Contr. 23: 27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, M.D. and S. Neser, 2000. Factors influencing the biological control of Lantana camara in Australia and South Africa. In: N.R. Spencer (ed), Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, July 4-14, 1999. Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA. pp. 897–908.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, M.D., B.W. Wilson and H.F. Nahrung, 1999. The life history and host range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae). Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 9: 347–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • GenStat for Windows, 2000. Release 4.2. Fifth Edition. VSN International Ltd., Oxford, UK.

  • Julien, M.H. and M.W. Griffiths, 1998. Biological Control of Weeds: A World Catalogue of Agents and Their Target Weeds, 4th edn. CABI Publishing, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maw, M.G., 1976. Biology of the tortoise beetle, Cassida hemisphaerica (Coleoptera: Chrysome-lidae), a possible biological control agent for bladder campion, Silene cucubalus (Caryophyllaceae), in Canada. Can. Ent. 108: 945–954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radunz, L.A.J., 1971. Some Aspects of the Preferential Behaviour of Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål, Towards Its Host Plant Lantana camara. Hons. Thesis, University of Queensland.

  • Simelane, D.O., 2002. Biology and host range of Ophiomyia camarae, a biological control agent for Lantana camara in South Africa. BioControl 47: 575–585.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snedecor, G.W and W.G. Cochran, 1980. Statistical Methods, 7th edn. Iowa State University Press.

  • Spies, J.J., 1984. A cytotaxonomic study of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) from South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot. 3: 231–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirton, C.H., 1977. Some thoughts on the polyploid complex Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). Proceedings of the Second National Weeds Conference of South Africa. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. pp. 321–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wapshere, A.J., 1974. A strategy for evaluating the safety of organisms for biological weed control. Ann. App. Biol. 77: 201–211.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agriculture Research Council – Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa;

    H.E. Williams

Authors
  1. H.E. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Williams, H. Unsuitability of Charidotis pygmaea for biocontrol of Lantana camara in Africa. BioControl 49, 211–223 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BICO.0000017368.42917.e7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BICO.0000017368.42917.e7

Search

Navigation