We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Lysathia n.sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a host-specific beetle for the control of the aquatic weed Myriophyllum aquaticum (Haloragaceae) in South Africa
- Authors
Cilliers, C. J.
- Abstract
The plant, Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. (parrot's feather),is one of five alien water weeds causing problems in South Africa. M. aquaticum is presently considered a minor weed problem, but it is expected that it will become more important as the more troublesome water weeds are brought under control. For this reason, research was initiated on the possibility of biological control of M. aquaticum. Exploratory surveys on M. aquaticum in South America, the continent of origin, yielded several promising insect natural enemies. A leaf-feeding beetle, Lysathia n. sp. (Chrysomelidae), was the first biological control candidate imported. Its biology was studied and under quarantine conditions it was found that Lysathia n. sp. was host-specific, feeding and reproducing only on M. aquaticum. Permission for release was sought and given by the National Department of Agriculture, Directorate of Plant and Quality Control. This insect was released at five sites throughout the country in December 1995. Post-release studies on this beetle have been in progress for three years. An account follows of its field performance at one of these sites: Culmpine, Vaalwater, Northern Province on the Mokolo River. The results obtained at theCulmpine site indicate that Lysathia n. sp. shows promise as a biological control agent. A second agent may however be required at a later stage.
- Subjects
SOUTH Africa; BEETLES; PHYSIOLOGICAL control systems; HALORAGACEAE; LIMNOLOGY; MARINE biology
- Publication
Hydrobiologia, 1999, Vol 415, Issue 1-3, p271
- ISSN
0018-8158
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1023/A:1003809011936