Parthenium-hysterophorus

Guides

• Epiblema strenuana

  ragweed borer, stem-galling moth

  Epiblema strenuana is a tortricid moth native to North America that has been widely introduced as a biological control agent against invasive Asteraceae weeds. Its larvae form stem galls on host plants, functioning as nutrient sinks that place the plant under metabolic stress. The species has established populations in Australia and China, but was rejected for release in India and South Africa due to non-target risks to the oil-seed crop Guizotia abyssinica. Taxonomic confusion with the closely related E. minutana has complicated host range assessments.

  biological-controlstem-gallinvasive-weed-managementParthenium-hysterophorustortricidtaxonomic-revision

• Hornaltica bicolorata

  leaf-feeding beetle

  Hornaltica bicolorata is a leaf-feeding beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species has been deployed as a biological control agent against the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Uganda, where it has demonstrated consistent establishment. It was previously known under the synonym Zygogramma bicolorata in biocontrol literature. The beetle contributes to integrated pest management programs by defoliating the target weed.

  biological-controlinvasive-species-managementParthenium-hysterophorusintegrated-pest-managementEast-AfricaChrysomelidaeleaf-beetle