Lantana Weed (Lantana camara Var. Aculeata Linn) and its Possible Management through Natural Insect Pests in India

The paper provides a comprehensive review of the Lantana problem in India and its possible management through promising biological control agents and some other viable options. The weed is reported to support well over 400 indigenous insect species, but except for a few species, all are only casual visitors. To augment the indigenous enemy complex as many as seven exotic species have been introduced and tried for possible successful control agent. Efficacy of these insects has been discussed in the light of their field successes and failures. It is concluded that application of weedicides and mechanical control alone have not given reasonable success due to larger areas and cost of weedicides and labour involved. Though, biologilcal control has been considered as the most promising proposition, however only an integrated approach through silviculture-cum-biological control, chemical control, mechanical control, people participation and above all development of any technology for its economic utilization, can help in the eradication of this noxious weed.