Lantana
Guides
Eutreta
Eutreta is a genus of fruit flies (family Tephritidae) established by Loew in 1873. The genus comprises 36 species distributed across three subgenera: Eutreta, Metatephritis, and Setosigena. Species in this genus are known for inducing galls on host plants, with documented associations to Asteraceae and Verbenaceae families. At least one species, Eutreta xanthochaeta, has been introduced to multiple regions for attempted biological control of invasive weeds.
Falconia
Falconia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Distant in 1884. Species within this genus are phytophagous and associated with specific host plants. Falconia incaica has been documented feeding on Ricinus communis (castor bean) in Colombia, while F. intermedia has been investigated as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara in Australia and Africa. Nymphal instars can be differentiated by morphological features including antennal segment measurements and coloration changes.
Lantanophaga pusillidactylus
Lantana Plume Moth
Lantanophaga pusillidactylus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the Lantana Plume Moth. Native to the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, it has been introduced to multiple regions including Australia, Hawaii, and Pacific islands as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species is highly specialized on Lantana, with larvae feeding inside flowers and berries, causing significant damage to fruit production.
Ophiomyia camarae
Herring-bone Leafminer, Herringbone Leaf-miner
Ophiomyia camarae is a small leaf-mining fly (1.5–2 mm) native to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Florida. It has been introduced to multiple countries outside the Americas as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species exhibits strong host specificity, with larvae mining the leaves of Lantana species. Adults are distinguished by their shiny black bodies and red compound eyes.
Ophiomyia lantanae
Lantana Seed Fly
Ophiomyia lantanae is a small fly in the family Agromyzidae, native to the Americas from the southern United States to Brazil. It was introduced to Australia in 1914 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species has since established populations in multiple countries across several continents. It is commonly known as the Lantana Seed Fly due to its association with its host plant.
Synchlora herbaria
White-dotted Emerald
Synchlora herbaria is a small emerald moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The species is notable for its Caribbean distribution, with records from Florida and multiple Caribbean islands. Larvae have been documented feeding on Lantana camara, and like other Synchlora species, they camouflage themselves by attaching plant material to their bodies.