Abstract
Investigations carried out in Iran, to discover biological control agents for skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.), showed that the buprestid,Sphenoptera clarescens Kerr, was one of the insects highly damaging to the weed. The larvae of this beetle were active throughout theChondrilla season and fed mainly on the rootstocks, causing a progressive decline in naturalChondrilla populations. The host range of the beetle was examined in the field and in the glasshouse, and it was demonstrated thatS. clarescens occurs on and attacks severalCompositae related toC. juncea. As lettuce,Lactuca sativa L., and endive,Cichorium endivia L. could have been at risk in Australia, studies were discontinued.
Résumé
Les recherches effectuées en Iran en vue de trouver des agents de lutte biologique contreChondrilla juncea L. ont montré que le bupresteSphenoptera clarescens Kerr. était l'un des insectes causant le plus de dommages à la plante. L'activité des larves de ce coléoptère se manifeste pendant tout le cycle deChondrilla. Elles se nourrissent principalement des rhizomes, provoquant ainsi une régression progressive des peuplements deChondrilla. Une étude des plantes-hôtes fut faite, en serres et en milieu naturel. Elle montra queS. clarescens est aussi présent sur plusieurs composées proches deC. juncea et leur est nuisible. La laitue,Lactuca sativa et l'endive,Cichorium endivia risquant de ce fait d'être menacées en Australie, les études furent interrompues.
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This work conducted whilst located at CSIRO Biological Control Unit, Tehran, Iran.
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Hasan, S. Biology of a buprestid beetleSphenoptera clarescens [Col.: Buprestidae], from skeleton weed,Chondrilla juncea . Entomophaga 23, 19–23 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371986
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371986