Assessing the damage potential of the stem-boring weevil Lixus aemulus for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata

The Neotropical invasive plant Chromolaena odorata R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae) is a serious weed in West and Central Africa and two biological control agents that have been introduced into West Africa to help reduce its impacts on agriculture and biodiversity, have established. The stem-galling fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), has spread widely across West Africa since its release in only Côte d’Ivoire, occurring in six countries. This study aimed to investigate whether the gall fly had spread further across West Africa and into Central Africa. Here, we surveyed C. odorata for C. connexa galls in Cameroon between October 2018 and October 2020, along roadsides, on farms, residential areas, and abandoned plots, encompassing various vegetation types. Additional surveys were conducted across four countries (Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Nigeria) in West Africa that we considered the probable pathway for the spread of the gall fly into Central Africa. Cecidochares connexa was present at five of the six locations surveyed in Cameroon, albeit in varying abundance. In Africa, these findings represent the first-ever report of C. connexa outside of West Africa. In West Africa, we recorded significant expansion in the geographic range of C. connexa, as reflected in the absent-present record of C. connexa in two locations in Nigeria and one in Ghana, as well as its occurrence in all locations surveyed in Benin Republic and Togo. Clearly, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic and Nigeria served as the dispersal pathway of C. connexa from the release sites in Côte d’Ivoire into Cameroon, covering over 2,300 km. Following the spread and establishment of C. connexa into Cameroon, we anticipate that it will continue to spread further into other parts of Central Africa which are climatically suitable. Cecidochares connexa is currently the only biological control agent for C. odorata in Central Africa. Given that it has significantly reduced populations of C. odorata in other countries where it has established, it is expected to have a similar impact in Central Africa.

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Spread and establishment of Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritiidae) in Nigeria, a biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson

Biocontrol Science and Technology ◽

10.1080/09583157.2021.1977242 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Itohan Idemudia ◽

David D. Wilson ◽

Pascal Osa Aigbedion-Atalor

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Chromolaena Odorata

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Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, a new species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2288.1.2 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2288 (1) ◽

pp. 42-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

THOMAS D. EICHLIN ◽

OONA S. DELGADO ◽

LORRAINE W. STRATHIE ◽

COSTAS ZACHARIADES ◽

JOSE CLAVIJO

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Biological Control ◽

New Species ◽

Host Plant ◽

Control Agent ◽

Chromolaena Odorata ◽

Male And Female ◽

Invasive Range ◽

Clearwing Moth ◽

A New Species

A new species of Sesiidae, Carmenta chromolaenae Eichlin, is described to make the name available to researchers evaluating the moth's potential for biological control of its host plant, Chromolaena odorata, in South Africa and other parts of the plant's invasive range. This clearwing moth species was reared from the host plant in Venezuela. The adult moth, including the male and female genitalia, larva, and pupa are described and illustrated. Its biology and possible use as a control agent are discussed.

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The history of, and prospects for, the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (Compositae) by Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros and allies (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s000748530001049x ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 193-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

M. J. W. Cock ◽

J. D. Holloway

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Previous Literature ◽

New Combination ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Chromolaena Odorata ◽

Arctiid Moth ◽

New Synonyms ◽

Pareuchaetes Pseudoinsulata ◽

History Of ◽

The Tropics

AbstractChromolaena odorata is a tropical American species of the Compositae that has become a serious problem in plantations in the tropics of Asia and Africa. The history of attempts to control it using the arctiid moth Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (misidentified in previous literature as Ammalo insulata (Wlk.)) is summarised. The taxonomy and distributions of the five species in Pareuchaetes are presented, together with keys based on genitalic characters, three new synonyms and one new combination. Information on the biogeography and ecology of the Pareuchaetes species is used to assess their potential as biological control agents.

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The mycobiota of the weed Chromolaena odorata in southern Brazil with particular reference to fungal pathogens for biological control

Mycological Research ◽

10.1016/s0953-7562(09)80196-2 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 98 (10) ◽

pp. 1107-1116 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Robert W. Barreto ◽

Harry C. Evans

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Fungal Pathogens ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Chromolaena Odorata

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A new trophic interaction between invasive weed, its biological control agent, and local insects: A case study of Chromolaena odorata

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d200410 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 1006-1011 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

AKHMAD RIZALI ◽

MOCHAMMAD SYAMSUL HADI ◽

PUDJIANTO PUDJIANTO ◽

DAMAYANTI BUCHORI

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Land Use ◽

Invasive Species ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Trophic Interaction ◽

Chromolaena Odorata ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Land Use Types

Abstract. Authors. 2019. A new trophic interaction between invasive weed, its biological control agent, and local insects: a case study of Chromolaena odorata. Biodiversitas 20: 1006-1011. Invasive species have been known to cause biotic homogenization. The presence of Chromolaena odorata, an alien invasive weed, in agricultural habitat has outcompeted many crop plants. The presence of alien invasive weed creates a new trophic interaction especially with local herbivores as well as other associate insects. This study was aimed to investigate a new trophic interaction that has been established between C. odorata, its introduced biological control agent, and local insects. The research was conducted in various land-use types in both of Arjuno and Bromo mountain landscape. In each landscape, we surveyed the population density of C. odorata and its biological control agent (a gall fly, Cecidochares connexa) as well as observed the diversity and abundance of other insects associated with C. odorata. Samples were taken along the transect lines at various altitudinal gradients, from 400 to 1100 m asl. In total, 124 species of insects were found associated with C. odorata which include herbivores, parasitoids, and predators. The difference of land-use types affected the population density of C. odorata but not its herbivores (i.e. C. connexa and aphids). A new association was found between the introduced insect, C. connexa and local parasitoids. The field survey also discovered new associations between the invasive weed with local herbivores such as aphids that are found with high abundance. The aphids were found to have a symbiosis interaction with ants such as Anoplolepis gracilipes (invasive species) and Dolichoderus thoracicus. In conclusion, the ecological consequence of the presence of invasive weed species is the shaping of a new trophic interaction with local insects, even with other invasive ant species. This interaction arguably is part of an ecological process that formed an equilibrium interaction which may cause either a negative or positive impact on C. odorata.

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