Assessing potential new biocontrol agents for silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium (Solanales: Solanaceae)

LEFOE GREG K; RACELIS ALEXIS; SOSA, ALEJANDRO J.; SOTI PUSHPA; SUBEDI SAMIKSHYA

Puerto Iguazú

Simposio; XVI international symposium on biological control of weeds /; 2023

FUEDEI/CERZOS

Biological control has been proposed to reduce the extent and impacts of silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium; a Weed of National Significance in Australia. The leaf beetle Leptinotarsa texana was introduced to South Africa from the USA and is now an effective biological control of silverleaf nightshade in that country. However, Australian quarantine studies concluded L. texana is not suitable for introduction to Australia. Recent overseas surveys and experiments in the weed’s native range have highlighted two new agents with potential for Australia: the lacebug Gargaphia arizonica from Texas, USA, and a mite Aceria sp. from Argentina. Research is now focussed on assessing the risk of these prospective agents to Australian Solanum spp. and to closely related crops such as potato and tomato.