Progress on boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (L.) Norlindh) biological control: the boneseed leaf buckle mite Aceria (Keifer) sp., the lacy-winged seed fly Mesoclanis magnipalpis Bezzi and the boneseed rust Endophyllum osteospermi (Doidge) A.R.Wood
T.B. MorleyA and L. MorinB
A Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 48, Frankston, Victoria 3199, Australia.
B CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Introduction
So far six exotic organisms have been released in Australia as potential biological control agents for the environmental weed boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (L.) Norlindh (Asteraceae)). None of these has established on boneseed although one, the bitou tip moth (Comostolopsis germana Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)) has colonized all of the major infestations of the closely-related invasive species bitou bush (C. monilifera subsp. rotundata (DC.) Norlindh). Currently three organisms are under investigation for possible use as biological control agents for boneseed. They are the boneseed leaf buckle mite (Aceria (Keifer) sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae)) (BLBM), the lacy-winged seed fly (Mesoclanis magnipalpis Bezzi (Diptera: Tephritidae)) (LWSF) and the rust fungus (Endophyllum osteospermi (Doidge) A.R.Wood) that induces witches' brooms. They are all endemic natural enemies of boneseed in South Africa and each has the potential to suppress boneseed vigour and/or seed production.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2008) 23 (1) 29-31.