First report of biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus by Zygogramma bicolorata in Pakistan
2006
Javaid, A. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Mycology and Plant Pathology) | Shabbir, A. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Mycology and Plant Pathology)
Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an aggressive weed native of tropical America. It has been spreading in Pakistan and replacing the local flora for the last 15-20 years. It has become a serious problem in wastelands in northern Punjab. Among the various causes of its rapid spread in the country, lack of natural enemies of this weed is perhaps the most important one. There is not any earlier report of fungal or bacterial pathogen, or insect pest of this weed from Pakistan. During field surveys of different Parthenium growing areas of province Punjab from 2003-2005, in search of a natural enemy of this weed in Pakistan, both adults and larvae of a Mexican beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister were found feeding on leaves of this weed in different parts of Lahore and Changa Manga Forest. However, at present the population of this beetle is not large enough to control the Parthenium weed effectively.
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