Occurrence of Teleonemia scrupulosa on Sesamum indicum Linn. in Uganda

Abstract

Teleonemia scrupulosa (Stål) (Hemiptera, Tingidae) is a native of the tropical regions of the Americas and has been extensively used as an agent for the biological control of the noxious weed Lantana camara Linn. (Verbenaceae). It was introduced first into Hawaii¹; since then it has been introduced into Fiji², Australia³, Indonesia⁴ and other island groups in the Pacific. It is also established in India⁵, Mauritius, and South⁶, Central⁷ and East Africa. In general the level of control achieved in these areas has been disappointing, although severe local defoliation and partial control has been reported from many of these countries, and it is generally considered to be a useful addition to the insect complex used in the control of Lantana. Exhaustive tests in Fiji and Australia showed that this Tingid would feed on none of the plants tested except Lantana⁸. The bug was reported in Texas on Callirhoe involucrata (Malvaceae) and a plant of the mint family but was unable to breed or live long on them⁹. Its release in India was not recommended because laboratory tests showed that it could feed on teak (Tectonagrandis Linn.) which is also a member of the Verbenaceae although breeding was slow and Lantana was preferred¹⁰. When it escaped at Dehra Dun, however, it became established on Lantana but could not be found on nearby teak⁵. The only other previous records of attack by T. scrupulosa on other plants are its occurrence on Myoporum sandwicensis (Myoporaceae) and species of Xanthium (Compositae) in Hawaii, ebony in the United States, and Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) in the Antilles, according to the catalogue just published, which includes some hitherto overlooked records¹¹.