Lantana camara L. – lantana

Lantana is a Weed of National Significance in Australia, being found predominantly throughout coastal and sub-coastal eastern Australia. It infests natural, forestry and agricultural ecosystems, displacing native species and reducing biodiversity and productivity. Biological control of lantana in Australia commenced in 1914 and by 1960 eight agents had been introduced, of which six established. Since then, exploration for potential agents by numerous organisations in Australia and overseas, has been conducted throughout most of the native range of lantana, resulting in an additional 23 agents being released in Australia of which 12 established. Six agents, Aconophora compressa, Octotoma scabripennis, Uroplata girardi, Teleonemia scrupulosa, Ophiomyia lantanae and Leptobyrsa decora are regarded as the most damaging, albeit seasonally. Two recently released agents, the rust Prospodium tuberculatum and the leaf-mining fly Ophiomyia camarae, are becoming more widely distributed but it is too early to determine their impact on lantana. A feature of this program is the strong collaboration between organisations within Australia and overseas, in foreign exploration and in host-specificity testing, supply of agents and plant taxonomy. Despite the large number of agents established in Australia, lantana is not under adequate control. It is often subjected to intense feeding damage seasonally, but plants recover when agent populations wane over winter or during drought. Plant biology and climate are the main factors preventing lantana control. In addition, agents lack adaptation to the wide range of conditions in which the weed can grow, and some agents show preference for some lantana varieties. Current research is focusing on agents that might be better suited and more damaging to lantana. Host-specificity testing of the bud mite Aceria lantanae has been completed and an application seeking its release has been submitted. Testing on the rust Puccinia lantanae is progressing and it is hoped that these new agents might improve lantana control in Australia.