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Title: Biological control of Lippia (Phyla canescens): surveys for the plant and its natural enemies in Argentina

Author
item SOSA, ALEJANDRO - South American Biological Control Lab(SABCL)
item TRAVERSA, MARIA - Universidad Nacional Del Sur (UNS)
item DELHEY, ROLF - Universidad Nacional Del Sur (UNS)
item KIEHR, MIRTA - Universidad Nacional Del Sur (UNS)
item CARDO, M. VICTORIA - Universidad De Buenos Aires
item JULIEN, MIC - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Submitted to: CAB International United Kingdom
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2008
Publication Date: 11/1/2008
Citation: Sosa, A.J., Traversa, M.G., Delhey, R., Kiehr, M., Cardo, M., Julien, M. 2008. Biological control of Lippia (Phyla canescens): surveys for the plant and its natural enemies in Argentina. Proceedings of the XII International Symposium of Biological Control of Weeds. (Eds. Julien, Sforza, Bon, Evans Hatcher, Hinz, Rector). CAB International United Kingdom. pp. 211-215

Interpretive Summary: The invasive weed Lippia, which belongs to the verbena family, is a fast-growing, mat-forming plant native to south America. Due to its ornamental value, it was introduced into Australia during the nineteenth century. In order to search for new management strategies we found many gaps in the knowledge of the biology, particularly in the ecology of the plant, and we also found scarce information about its biology in the native range, particularly in relation to its natural enemies. Hence, we have made exploratory trips in Argentina since 2005, to look for the plants and its natural enemies, insects and pathogens. So far, we have found the plant in 54 out 102 sites sampled. In places where the plant was present, at least 20 arthropods and 16 fungi were found. Among insects, the most promising candidates are three flea beetles. Pathogens include a rust and stem- canker fungi. Additional information on their biology and host specificity is required to propose any of these as biological control candidates.

Technical Abstract: Lippia, Phyla caenescens (Kunth) Greene (Verbenaceae) is a fast-growing, mat-forming plant native to south America. It is a weed in Australia, where it was introduced as an ornamental during the nineteenth century. Kowledge on the biology of lippia is currently limited to unconcluded taxonomical studies; there is scarce information on the ecology and natural enemies in the native range. Surveys for the plant and its natural enemies were initiated in Argentina in 2005 to determine its distribution and to search for possible biological control agents, both insects and phytopathogens. We have found Phyla sp. in 54 out of 102 sites sampled, mostly east of 660W , circumscribing the weed to the Chaco Domain. In places where the plant was present, at least 20 arthropods and 16 fungi were found. Among insects, the most promising candidates are three flea beetles (Chrysomelidae): two species of Longitarsus and Kuschelina bergi Harold. Pathogens include the rust Puccinia cf. lantanae and stem cankers. Additional information on their biology and host specificity is required to propose any of these as biological control candidates.