The suitability of Octotoma scabripennis Guér. and Uroplata girardi Pic (Col., Chrysomelidae) for the control of Lantana (Verbenaceae) in Australia

Abstract

The host range and aspects of the biology of Hispine beetles recorded from plants in the genus Lantana is reviewed. The host specificity of Octotoma scabripennis Guér. and Uroplata girardi Pic was studied in Hawaii where these insects had been imported and established for biological control of the important weed L. camara. New techniques were employed in which feeding and oviposition behaviour was studied in field and simulated-field experiments embracing a wide range of plants interplanted amongst an abundance of the Hispines' normal host. Eesults indicated that both species are restricted almost entirely to L. camara, and subsequently these insects have been imported into and established in Australia. Both insects are particularly well suited to use as biological control agents and should be extremely useful in many countries where L. camara is a weed.