Question:
_________ has been successfully used to control the notorious weed Lantana camara.
_________ has been successfully used to control the notorious weed Lantana camara.
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Biological control agents must undergo strict host-specificity testing before release to ensure they do not feed on native crops or non-target plants.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
- Teleonemia scrupulosa
- Dactylopius coccus
- Cassytha filiformis
- Aceria malherbae
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Invasive alien weeds can disrupt forest ecosystems, suppress native regeneration, and reduce biodiversity.
Biological control uses specific natural enemies (such as insects or mites) to manage and suppress weed populations without relying on chemical herbicides.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lantana camara is an aggressive, toxic woody shrub native to the American tropics that has invaded forest lands, pastures, and plantation areas across India.
To manage its spread, various biological control agents have been introduced and evaluated.
The insect Teleonemia scrupulosa (commonly known as the Lantana lace bug) is a sap-sucking tingid bug native to Mexico.
Introduced to India, both the adults and nymphs of this insect feed on the leaves, flowers, and soft tissues of Lantana camara.
Their feeding causes leaf chlorosis, desiccation, and premature leaf drop, which reduces flower production and seed set, helping to suppress the weed's spread.
Let us review the other options:
- Dactylopius coccus is a cochineal scale insect used primarily to control invasive prickly pear cacti (Opuntia species).
- Cassytha filiformis is a parasitic vine rather than a biological control insect.
- Aceria malherbae is a gall mite used to control field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The insect used to successfully control Lantana camara is Teleonemia scrupulosa, corresponding to option (A).
Invasive alien weeds can disrupt forest ecosystems, suppress native regeneration, and reduce biodiversity.
Biological control uses specific natural enemies (such as insects or mites) to manage and suppress weed populations without relying on chemical herbicides.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lantana camara is an aggressive, toxic woody shrub native to the American tropics that has invaded forest lands, pastures, and plantation areas across India.
To manage its spread, various biological control agents have been introduced and evaluated.
The insect Teleonemia scrupulosa (commonly known as the Lantana lace bug) is a sap-sucking tingid bug native to Mexico.
Introduced to India, both the adults and nymphs of this insect feed on the leaves, flowers, and soft tissues of Lantana camara.
Their feeding causes leaf chlorosis, desiccation, and premature leaf drop, which reduces flower production and seed set, helping to suppress the weed's spread.
Let us review the other options:
- Dactylopius coccus is a cochineal scale insect used primarily to control invasive prickly pear cacti (Opuntia species).
- Cassytha filiformis is a parasitic vine rather than a biological control insect.
- Aceria malherbae is a gall mite used to control field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The insect used to successfully control Lantana camara is Teleonemia scrupulosa, corresponding to option (A).
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