The Life History and Host Range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae)

M D Day; B W Wilson; Helen F Nahrung

doi:10.1080/09583159929604

Back

The Life History and Host Range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae)

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The Life History and Host Range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae)

M D Day, B W Wilson and Helen F Nahrung

Biocontrol Science and Technology, Vol.9(3), pp.347-354

1999

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09583159929604

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1080/09583159929604View

Published Version

Abstract

Agricultural Biotechnology

Ecological Applications

Environmental Science and Management

host specificity

phytophagous

creeping lantana

varietal preference

The life cycle and host range of Charidotis pygmaea Klug were investigated to assess its suitability for release as a biological control agent for Lantana camara L. and L. montevidensis (Sprengel) Briquet. Adults fed and deposited eggs on the underside of leaves of both species. They generally laid fewer eggs in the dry winter months when lantana yellows or drops its leaves. Larvae fed on the upper leaf surface and pupation occurred on the leaves or stems. Development from egg to adult took approximately 50 days. Survival to the adult stage was greater, and the development time was shorter on L. montevidensis than on all varieties of L. camara tested, suggesting that the agent would be ineffective against L. camara. Forty-two plant species were tested to determine host specificity in choice oviposition and larval feeding trials. These demonstrated that C. pygmaea did not pose a threat to non-target species. Consequently, C. pygmaea was approved for release in Australia and through its ability to survive the dry season, should assist in the control of L. montevidensis.

Details

Title: The Life History and Host Range of Charidotis pygmaea (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent for Lantana montevidensis (Verbenaceae)
Authors: M D Day (Author) - Queensland Department of Natural Resources
B W Wilson (Author) - Queensland Department of Natural Resources
Helen F Nahrung (Author) - Queensland Department of Natural Resources
Publication details: Biocontrol Science and Technology, Vol.9(3), pp.347-354
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 1999
DOI: 10.1080/09583159929604
ISSN: 0958-3157
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450048302621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

545 Record Views

6 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Entomology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites