Distribution and biological control of Chromolaena odorata - Invasive Plants: Ecological and Agricultural Aspects - page 203

biological control of Chromolaena odorata . The first workshop was held in
Bangkok, Thailand, in 1988. Since then five workshops have been held, in
1991 (Bogor, Indonesia), 1994 (Abidjan, Ivory Coast), 1996 (Bangalore,
India), 2000 (Durban, S. Africa) and 2003 (Cairns, Australia). The proceedings
of these workshops and in addition 15 Chromolaena odorata newsletters were
published. A Working Group of Chromolaena has also been established in the
International Organization for Biological Control and a Chromolaena Network
has been formed. The proceedings of the workshops and newsletters can be
retrieved at: http://www.ehs.cdu.edu.au/chromolaena/siamhome.html
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 sev-
eral 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.
References
1 Muniappan R (1996) Biological control of Chromolaena odorata . In: PDS Caligari, DJN Hind
(eds): Proceedings of the international compositae conference, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK,
Vol. 2: 333-347
2 Gautier L (1992) Taxonomy and distribution of a tropical weed, Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.
King and H. Robinson. Candollea 47: 645-662
3 Voigt JO (1845) Hortus Suburbanus Calcuttensis, Calcutta, India
4 Clarke CB (1876) Compositae Indicae. Description et secus genera Benthamii ordinatae . Thakur,
Spink and Company, Calcutta, India
5 Hooker JD (1882) Flora of British India : Vol III, Spottiswoode, London, UK
6 Rao YR (1920) Lantana insects in India. Mem Dep Agric India, Entomol Ser Calcutta 5: 239-314