A5051227366- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Research on scale insects
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Bioenergy crop production and management
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Forest Management and Policy
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Data Analysis with R
- Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Rhodes University
2016-2025
Abstract Two new species of gall midges are described whose larvae feed on the small morphotype Guinea grass Megathyrsus maximus in Africa. Arabukodiplosis basalis Kolesik, gen. et sp. nov. causes galls at base plant's crown Kenya and vesicaria blister stems South Africa Kenya. Description morphology sequence a fragment COI mitochondrial gene insects provided. A genus is erected to contain two species. belongs supertribe Cecidomyiidi its closest relative Mitodiplosis Kieffer, 1914, an...
The grain-producing regions of northern New South Wales and southern central Queensland are characterised by cropping systems that strongly dependent on stored soil moisture rather than in-crop rainfall, tillage increasingly reliant zero or minimum tillage. Crops grown relatively infrequently crop rotations dominated winter summer grains (wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. Moench], respectively), with smaller areas grain legumes cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). grey,...
Biological control is an effective and sustainable method for management of invasive alien plants (IAPs), has been implemented on 68 the 367 plant species that are listed as legally requiring strategies under South Africa's National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Alien Invasive Species Regulations. With limited resources funding available, it can realistically only be considered a subset remaining which biocontrol not yet implemented. Considerable allocated towards in...
Abstract Biological control (biocontrol) of invasive alien plants is a widely utilised weed management tool. Prospective biocontrol agents are typically assessed through host specificity testing and pre‐release efficacy studies performed in quarantine. However, rearing the potential and/or test often difficult or impossible under quarantine conditions. Moreover, practitioners may attain laboratory artefacts quarantine, which result agent being needlessly rejected. Field‐based weed's...
We investigated host-plant utilisation by the candidate biocontrol agent Paradibolia coerulea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on target plant Spathodea campanulata Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) and a closely related non-target plant, Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (Bignoniaceae). Paired-choice sequential no-choice experiments were performed coupled with olfactory discrimination to test insects' responses volatiles from both species as well cues conspecific beetles. Although K. was utilised P. coerulea,...
The six major mountain ranges in South Africa support critically important ecosystem services—notably water production—and are rich biodiversity and endemism. These mountains threatened by detrimental land uses, unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, invasive alien plants. Invasive plants pose substantial rapidly increasing problems mountainous areas worldwide. However, little is known about the extent plant invasions Africa. This study assessed status African determining...
A systems approach was developed as an alternative to a standalone quarantine disinfestation treatment for Thaumatotibia leucotreta in citrus fruit exported from South Africa. The consists of three measures: pre and postharvest controls measurements, postpacking inspection, exposure low temperatures. Different cold conditions with range efficacy levels can be used this last measure. series trials reported here evaluated the seven temperatures ranging 0 5°C durations 14 d 26 d. Mortality most...
Historically, invasive alien grasses have not been considered a major threat in South Africa, and as result, very few resources are allocated to their management. However, there is an increasing awareness of the severe environmental socio-economic impacts need for appropriate management options control. Africa has long history successfully implementing weed biological control (biocontrol) manage plants, however much like rest world, do feature prominently targets biocontrol. The...
An undescribed phytophagous wasp belonging to the Tetramesa genus (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), that is native South Africa, currently being investigated as a potential weed biological control agent for invasive grass Eragrostis curvula (Poaceae) in Australia.Host-specificity testing underway but has not been exported into quarantine Australia and further research required before it could be considered release.Here, we used DNA barcoding demonstrate specimens collected on E. populations...
The use of protective netting is becoming an increasingly popular practice in the citrus industry South Africa. However, data on its effects biotic factors, particularly insect pests, are limited. This study focused effect nets have key pests Eastern Cape province. Orchards under and open orchards, similar cultivars, ages management practices, were monitored at several sites over two seasons for pest infestation damage. Weekly monitoring was conducted Thaumatotibia leucotreta infestation....
African lovegrass, Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees (Poaceae), is a perennial grass native to southern Africa that has become problematic in many countries, most notably Australia. A biological control programme against E. Australia been initiated mitigate the plant's negative impacts. We present field-based host-specificity observations of natural enemies distribution South and validate these with laboratory based no-choice tests. Only three insect species were consistently found utilising...
Two fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species of economic importance: