Distribution and biological control of Chromolaena odorata

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2005

Abstract

Conclusions: Chromolaena odorata is a neotropical plant introduced to humid tropical Asia and Africa in the mid 1800 s. In the mid 1900s it became a weed problem in West, Central and Southern Africa, South and Southeast Asia and Micronesia. It is highly allelopathic and fire prone. It invades disturbed forests, vacant lands, wildlife reserves, riverbanks, pastures and plantation crops. Mechanical and chemical methods of controlling this weed are expensive and require repeated operations. Classical biological control has been implemented in several countries. The natural enemies Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata and Cecidochares connexa have been successfully introduced to several countries in Asia and Micronesia with positive results. Another natural enemy, Acalitus adoratus has been fortuitously introduced to Asia and Micronesia. The South African biotype of chromolaena is different from the biotype that invaded the rest of the world and the natural enemies which proved effective on the later biotype do not thrive on the former. The origin of the biotype of chromolaena in South Africa has been narrowed down to northern Caribbean region. Natural enemies from this region are being screened in South Africa. Australia has implemented a program to eradicate chromolaena from a small area of infestation in northern Queensland. The Working Group of Chromolaena and the Chromolaena Network have been conducting International Workshops and publishing newsletters since 1988. © 2005 Birkhäuser Verlag.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Invasive Plants: Ecological and Agricultural Aspects

First Page

223

Last Page

233

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