Host range evaluation of the leaf-feeding beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata and the stem-boring weevil, Listronotus setosipennis demonstrates their suitability for biological control of the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus in Ethiopia

AbstractZygogramma bicolorata Pallister was introduced for biological control trials against the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in India. The insect entered diapause over an extended period of time between July and December in Bangalore. Diapausing adults burrowed into the soil, and emerged in May–June with the commencement of monsoon rains. Percentage diapause increased over time, peaking at 72% during November. Non-diapausing adults were capable of breeding, under laboratory conditions, during the winter. Some adults bred both before and after diapause, during two consecutive years. Soil moisture played an important role in providing the conditions for burrowing or emerging from the diapause chambers. The studies also showed that diapausing adults had to be exposed to the high summer temperatures, for termination of the diapause. It was possible to break diapause by continuous exposure to 30°C, 35°C and 40°C for 22 days, nine days and 10 hours, respectively, during February–March, about three months after its inception. This method can be used to initiate mass multiplication for carrying out releases early in the season.

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Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents (Coleoptera: Zygogramma bicolorata ) in Nepal

Weed Research ◽

10.1111/wre.12384 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 467-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B B Shrestha ◽

K Pokhrel ◽

N Paudel ◽

S Poudel ◽

A Shabbir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Zygogramma Bicolorata

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A Mystic Weed, Parthenium hysterophorus: Threats, Potentials and Management

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11081514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1514

Author(s):

H. M. Khairul Bashar ◽

Abdul Shukor Juraimi ◽

Muhammad Saiful Ahmad-Hamdani ◽

Md Kamal Uddin ◽

Norhayu Asib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Agricultural Waste ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Control Measures ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Basic Information ◽

Weed Species ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Potential Applications

Parthenium hysterophorus is an invasive weed species that competes aggressively with other plants and is also allelopathic. It poses a significant risk to human health, livestock, the environment, soil, and agriculture. However, given some clinical studies, its potential for antidiabetic, antioxidant, antitumor, herbicidal, pesticidal, and antimalarial therapies should be researched further in attempts to discover more relevant applications. It can be used as a nutrient-dense, readily available, and cheap fertilizer. Parthenium can also be used as an herbicide, an insecticide, and a phyto-remedial mediator to extract metals and dyes from agricultural waste. Here we provide basic information on the morphology, reproduction, environmental impacts, and management of this species. Effects of methanol, ethanol, hexane, acetone, and aqueous (water) Parthenium extracts are described. Because P. hysterophorus is said to be one of the world’s seven worst weeds, some control measures, including mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological control, are discussed. The allelopathy of this weed is difficult to regulate, and there are both positive and negative interactions between Parthenium and other species due to allelochemical action. Several toxic phenolic compounds produced by P. hysterophorus are responsible for weed suppression, and we discuss details of their mode of action and potential applications.

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Updates from “Biological control of the invasive weed parthenium hysterophorus in east Africa” project

Crop Protection ◽

10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104991 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 127 ◽

pp. 104991

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

East Africa ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Invasive Weed

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Beetle on the battle: Defoliation of Parthenium hysterophorus by Zygogramma bicolorata in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Botanica Orientalis Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.3126/botor.v8i0.5559 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 100-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bharat Babu Shrestha ◽

Khum Bahadur Thapa-Magar ◽

Ambika Paudel ◽

Uttam Babu Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Seed Production ◽

Biocontrol Agent ◽

Small Population ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Plant Science ◽

Kathmandu Valley ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Zygogramma Bicolorata

Zygogramma bicolorata, a Mexican beetle, is the most widely distributed biocontrol agent of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus. The occurrence and distribution of this beetle in Nepal has been poorly documented. We monitored and mapped the occurrence of this beetle in Kathmandu valley for two years from August 2009 to September 2011. A small population of the beetle was first encountered in a wasteland at Sundarighat of Kirtipur Municipality in August 2010. By September 2011, the beetle has spread over half of the valley areas where P. hysterophorus was present, but damage to the weed was appreciable only at Sundarighat. The effectiveness of biocontrolling process is likely to be limited by shorter period of defoliating activity of the beetle, prolific seed production by Parthenium round the year, and environmental pollution.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/botor.v8i0.5559 Botanica Orientalis – Journal of Plant Science (2011) 8: 100-104

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