Effects in s.e. Queensland during 1967–72 of insects introduced to controlLantana camara

Abstract

Seasonal fluctuations in populations of the introduced speciesTeleonemia scrupulosa Stål and damage by this insect to common taxa ofLantana camara, were observed at several field sites and experimental plots. At 2 plots effects ofT. scrupulosa populations on untreated plants were compared with plants protected by application of insecticides. On untreated plants damage varied seasonally and between taxa ofL. camara. In general attack byT. scrupulosa reduced fruiting and caused severe short term foliage damage. Combined with severe stress from some other cause heavy attack may result in long term damage or death to plants. However Common PinkL. camara was more resistant to damage than were the other taxa studied. At the time of these experiments other insect species were at very low population levels and did not have observable effects onL. camara.