Bulletin of Entomological Research (1997) 87, 331-341

R.J. Adair and J.K. Scott (1997)
Distribution, life history and host specificity of Chrysolina picturata and Chrysolina sp. B (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae), two biological control agents for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Compositae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 87 (4), 331-341
Abstract: The southern African shrubs Chrysanthemoides monilifera monilifera and C. m. rotundata (Compositae) are serious weeds of native vegetation in Australia and are targets for classical biological control. In host specificity tests using 69 species from 25 families, two leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetles, Chrysolina picturata (Clark) and Chrysolina sp. B, were able to complete development on only Chrysanthemoides monilifera and C. incana. The subspecies Chrysanthemoides m. monilifera was the superior host for both Chrysolina picturata and Chrysolina sp. B. Feeding and limited development of both species occurred on Calendula officinalis; limited development by Chrysolina picturata larvae occurred on Helianthus annuus, Tussilago farfara and Cymbonotus priessianus. Chrysolina picturata and Chrysolina sp. B are considered to be Chrysanthemoides-specific and have been approved for release in Australia. Potential release sites for both Chrysolina species were chosen by comparing the climate of the insects' African distribution with climate stations within the range of Chrysanthemoides monilifera in Australia. Chrysolina picturata and Chrysolina sp. B are suited: for release within the western distribution of Chrysanthemoides m. monilifera in coastal areas of south eastern South Australia.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Robin J. Adair

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
non-target effects/fate in environm.
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chrysanthemoides monilifera (weed)		Australia (South+SE)
Chrysolina pictura (weed bioagent)	Chrysanthemoides monilifera (weed)		Australia (South+SE)
Chrysolina (genus - weed bioagents)	Chrysanthemoides monilifera (weed)		South Africa