THE HOST-RANGE OF ACONOPHORA-COMPRESSA WALKER (HOMOPTERA, MEMBRACIDAE) - A POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL AGENT FOR LANTANA-CAMARA L (VERBENACEAE)

The membracid Aconophora compressa Walker is endemic to the Neotropics where it is found on various species of Lantana. Host range tests wer e conducted to ascertain whether it would be safe to introduce and rel ease this insect in Australia for the biological control of Lantana ca mara, a serious weed in many tropical and subtropical countries. These tests, conducted in both Mexico and Australia, indicated that A. comp ressa was narrowly stenophagous. In all tests A. compressa oviposited and immatures developed on L. camara. In one of three tests ovipositio n and nymphal development occurred on Duranta repens and in two tests oviposition but not nymphal development occurred on Jacaranda spp. Ovi position did not occur on 55 other plant species tested. Permission to release this treehopper was obtained, and it was released in Queensla nd in 1995.