Lantana-camara
Guides
Aceria lantanae
Lantana Flower Gallmite
Aceria lantanae is a minute, worm-like gall mite in the family Eriophyidae, used as a biological control agent against the invasive weed Lantana camara. It forms characteristic flower galls on host inflorescences. Released in South Africa in 2007, it has established patchily with variable success. Its performance is determined primarily by host-plant variety rather than climatic factors, showing significant differential susceptibility across L. camara varieties.
Aconophora compressa
lantana bug, lantana treehopper, lantana stemsucking treehopper, lantana sap-sucking bug
Aconophora compressa is a treehopper (family Membracidae) native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. It was introduced to Australia in 1995 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species is brown, up to 8 mm long, with a thorn-shaped body and produces copious honeydew. It has been documented to attack non-target plants, particularly fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) in Australia, leading to its discontinuation as a biocontrol agent after 2001. It was also rejected for use in South Africa due to unacceptable risks to indigenous Lippia species.
treehopperbiological-controlinvasive-species-managementMembracidaephloem-feedermaternal-caregregarioushoneydew-producernon-target-effectsLantana-camaraMexicoAustraliaSouth-AfricaVerbenaceaeCitharexylum-spinosumLippiaAloysia-citrodorathermal-tolerancestem-suckingsap-feedingegg-guardinginstarsnymphal-developmentweed-biocontrolhost-range-expansionecological-risk-assessmentbiosecurityWalker-1851AconophoriniMembracinaeHemipteraAuchenorrhynchaCicadomorphaMembracoideaLantanophaga
A genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) established by Zimmerman in 1958. Contains four described species, with L. pusillidactylus being the most widely documented due to its role as a biological control agent of the invasive weed Lantana camara. The genus is notable for its specialized association with this host plant across multiple continents.
Octotoma
Octotoma is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) comprising approximately 11–12 described species. Members of this genus are leaf-mining beetles with documented associations to Lantana camara, an invasive weed. Several species, notably O. championi and O. scabripennis, have been extensively studied and employed as biological control agents. The genus exhibits a leaf-mining larval phase followed by free-living, leaf-chewing adults.
Octotoma championi
lantana leafminer, lantana leaf beetle
Octotoma championi is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the lantana leafminer or lantana leaf beetle. Native to Central and North America, it has been introduced to Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, and South Africa as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species has a leaf-mining larval phase and free-living, leaf-chewing adults. Research indicates its development and consumption rates are sensitive to elevated CO2 and temperature conditions.
Teleonemia scrupulosa
lantana lace bug
Teleonemia scrupulosa is a sap-sucking lace bug (Hemiptera: Tingidae) widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. It is a specialist herbivore of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) and has been deployed as a biological control agent against this invasive shrub in multiple countries since 1961. The species exhibits strong microhabitat preferences, thriving in high-light environments but failing to establish in shaded conditions. Its feeding causes characteristic chlorotic damage and can severely impair host plant photosynthesis.