Management Information
The key to good management of lantana is constant vigilance (Day et al. 2003). Repeated control of regrowth is critical to success. Control of new infestations should be a priority because the species is able to expand its range during good seasons. Mechanical: Mechanical clearing and hand pulling are suitable for small areas and fire can be used over large areas. Biological: Biocontrol agents have decreased the volume of individual plants making other control methods considerably easier. None of the over 40 agents trialled have resulted in total control but some have been partially successful including Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Hemiptera), Octotoma scabripennis (Coleoptera), Uroplata girardi Pic (Coleoptera) and Ophiomyia lantanae (Froggatt) (Diptera) (Day et al. 2003).
L. camara was the first weed ever targeted for classical biological control at the turn of the century, and since then 36 insect species have been released in 33 countries throughout the exotic range. Despite these efforts, control of the weed has generally been disappointing (Thomas and Ellison 2000). Many reasons have been suggested for this failure: the great genetic diversity of the plant, its ability to hybridise, and that fact that its origin as a hybrid ornamental plant complicates the search for its centre of origin and thus for potential agents (Thomas and Ellison 1999; Day et al. 2003). Twenty nine biotypes exist in Australia alone (Smith and Smith 1982, in Thomas and Ellison 1999). No insect agent released to date has caused significant damage to the very important Common Pink biotype homas and Ellison 1999). In general, the insect agents released have a restricted host range within this complex, and, in addition, the weed is able to tolerate wider climatic and geographical areas (Thomas and Ellison 1999). Searches have been made in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and Brazil, and insects have been collected from several different lantana species. These insects have been host-tested and released in Hawaii, South Africa, Australia, several countries in east Africa, south and east Asia, and the Pacific (Day . 2003).
Fungi have been used for many years to control arthropod pests but have been underexploited against invasive weeds. Evans (1987) considered fungal pathogens to have great potential as agents for classical biological control of weeds. Barreto et al. (1995) examined the mycobiota of L. camara in Brazil and selected several fungal pathogens as potential biological control agents including Prospodium tuberculatum, Puccinia lantanae and Ceratobasidium lantanae-camarae. P. tuberculatum is a rust limited to the tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America. Glasshouse inoculations indicate that the agent is pathogenic to two major weed biotypes in Australia: the Common Pink (a highly invasive biotype) and Pink-edged Red (extremely toxic to cattle). P. lantanae is a rust of tropical origin and initial results show that it is pathogenic to a wider range of weedy cultivars of lantana than P. tuberculatum. Successful infection has been obtained with ten biotypes to date: two from Australia, three from South Africa, two from Madagascar and one from Thailand, India and Hawaii (Thomas and Ellison 1999). A strain of the rust Prospodium tuberculatum from Brazil was screened as a potential biocontrol agent against 40 Australian Lantana camara forms and 52 closely related, non-target plant species. Results under glasshouse conditions showed that the Brazilian rust strain is pathogenic to only two flower colour forms: pink and pink-edged red. Macro- and microsymptoms were recorded using 11 assessment categories and four susceptibility ratings. No macrosymptoms were observed on any of the non-target plants (Thomas et al. 2006).
Location Specific Management InformationAscension Is. (Saint Helena)
Two biological control agents were introduced in 1971, a leaf beetle and a tingid heteropteran (Ashmole and Ashmole, 2000 in Varnham, 2006). Eastern Australia (Australia)
Mike Day and Tanya McAndrew have just had their paper entitled ""The biology and host range of Falconia intermedia (Hemiptera: Miridae), a potential biological control agent for Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in Australia"" published in Biocontrol Science and Technology. They found the insect to be very specific, attacking only lantana and another exotic weed, lippia. This research led to the insect being approved for release. Of some considerable practical importance, they also found that it did not do as well on some lantana varieties as others and its performance was much poorer on the pink-flowering phenotype. The insect has now been widely released (The State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, March 2003). Floreana Is. (Ecuador)
Please follow this link Rentería et al 2006 to An illustrated guide providing practical information for the effective control of the worst invasive plant species in Galapagos. Designed for farmers and other land managers, it describes manual and chemical control methods. Lantana camara is among 23 introduced species with descriptions and control options listed. French Polynesia (Polynésie Française) 
L' arrêté n°65 CM du 23 janvier 2006 dresse une liste de 35 plantes envahissantes déclarées "espèces menaçant la biodiversité" dont Lantana camara. Ces plantes font l'objet de mesures d'interdiction d'importation nouvelle, de multiplication et de plantation, d'interdiction de transfert d'une île à l'autre de tout plant entier, fragment de plant, bouture, fruit et graine. Leur destruction est autorisée. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
45% of species introduced to the Galapagos Islands have been naturalized and of those, 32 are considered aggressive and have invaded extensive areas. The invaders affect the native vegetation negatively, changing the composition of the community and threatening populations of rare species. The majority of the introduced plants are found in the humid highlands where agriculture is the major activity and the conditions are better. The most noxious of these plants are the trees and shrubs that invade the native vegetation below the highest areas. The present methods of control are limited to removal by hand and by use of herbicides. Removal by hand requires continued effort since the plants may sprout from fragments of roots or branches. Few quantitative studies have been carried out to determine the type, concentration and method of application of herbicides. A 1999 study evaluated the effectiveness of three types of herbicide (glyphosate, picloram and triclopyr) in different concentrations to determine which method of application (“hacking and spraying”, spraying the bark and fumigation) is the most effective and the least damaging to the surrounding vegetation. These experiments were carried out on trees of Cestrum auriculatum, Cinchona pubescens, Cordia alliodora, Psidium guajava and Syzygium jambos and on the shrubs Kalanchoe pinnata, Lantana camara and Rubus niveus (Gardener et al., 1999).
Please follow this link Rentería et al 2006 to An illustrated guide providing practical information for the effective control of the worst invasive plant species in Galapagos. Designed for farmers and other land managers, it describes manual and chemical control methods. Lantana camara is among 23 introduced species with descriptions and control options listed. Gibraltar
Upper Rock Management Plan advises beginning the removal of individuals of this species while their distribution is still limited, rather than waiting for problems to occur. It also recommends legislation prohibiting growing or keeping this species in gardens and homes within the reserve (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Hawaii (United States (USA))
Over two dozen biocontrol agents have been released to control it in Hawaii with results varying from ineffective to spectacular. The most effective are the defoliating caterpillar Hypena strigata; the seed-destroying fly Ophiomyia lantanae, and the lace bug Teleonemia scrupulosa. In places, infestations of lantana by biocontrol agents are universal but the effect on the population is not obvious even after decades of once or twice annual cycles of defoliation. Yet some areas have been cleared of lantana leading to a premature declaration of victory over lantana(Motooka et al. 2002). Hawaii (United States (USA))
The plant has been subjected to biological control which has been quite effective in some areas (Gardner and Davis 1982). Further control agents are being sought. India
The removal of Lantana camara has the potential to lead to an increase in the similarly invasive Chromolaena odorata, by providing an opportunity for an increase in cover. Isabela Is. (Ecuador) (Ecuador)
Please follow this link Rentería et al 2006 to an illustrated guide providing practical information for the effective control of the worst invasive plant species in Galapagos. Designed for farmers and other land managers, it describes manual and chemical control methods. Lantana camara is among 23 introduced species with descriptions and control options listed. Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve (Australia)
A habitat restoration project was undertaken with the primary aim of providing a self-perpetuating indigenous roosting habitat for the colony. A secondary aim was to retain the diversity of native fauna and flora within the Reserve and keep the regenerated vegetation compatible with native bushland
in northern Sydney. The project was undertaken in three phases extending from 1987 to 2000. An evaluation of results after this period shows that native plants were regenerating and level of weed maintainence required was on the decrease.
Weed control treatments included manual removal, precision herbicide spraying ‘cut and paint’ and stem injection herbicide treatments for larger woody weeds and climbers. Supplemental planting of endemic species was also undertaken. Mayotte
En 2002, 10 hectares de Lantana camara ont été éradiqués à Pointe Saziley en zone de forêt sèche de haute valeur patrimoniale. Depuis 2002, environ 100 ha ont été traités pour un coût estimé à 240 000 euros. Mais ces travaux coûteux et aux résultats incertains, se caractérisent par l’absence de suivi post opératoire et d’évaluation des techniques. New Zealand
On New Zealand noxious weed list and banned from sale in that country (PIER, 2003).
Lantana camara is listed as a pest plant in New Zealand; commercial sale and/or distribution of the plant is not allowed. National Pest Plant Accord, New Zealand.
Lantana camara has been included in the Auckland Regional Councils pest plants, Pest Facts Reunion (La Réunion)
Deux méthodes de lutte mises en œuvre par l'ONF à La Réunion semblent efficaces dans le contrôle du lantana. La première méthode mécanique consiste à arracher manuellement les plants et à les mettre en andain. La deuxième méthode consiste en une action mécanique (coupe ou sabre) suivie 15 jours plus tard de l'application d'un phytocide sur la souche (Hivert, 2003). Saint Helena
A biological control programme initiated in 1970s, resulting in successful establishment of the tingid heteropteran bug Teleonemia scrupulosa. In many areas where this species was formerly abundant it is now dead and moribund following successful biological control (Ashmole and Ashmole, 2000 in Varnham, 2006). Santa Cruz Is. (Ecuador) (Ecuador)
Please follow this link Rentería et al 2006 to An illustrated guide providing practical information for the effective control of the worst invasive plant species in Galapagos. Designed for farmers and other land managers, it describes manual and chemical control methods. Lantana camara is among 23 introduced species with descriptions and control options listed. Southeast Australia (Australia)
Mike Day and Tanya McAndrew have just had their paper entitled ""The biology and host range of Falconia intermedia (Hemiptera: Miridae), a potential biological control agent for Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in Australia"" published in Biocontrol Science and Technology. They found the insect to be very specific, attacking only lantana and another exotic weed, lippia. This research led to the insect being approved for release. Of some considerable practical importance, they also found that it did not do as well on some lantana varieties as others and its performance was much poorer on the pink-flowering phenotype. The insect has now been widely released (The State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, March 2003). Southern Africa
The removal of L. camara has the potential to lead to an increase in the similarly invasive Chromolaena odorata, by providing an opportunity for an increase in cover. Stotts Island Nature Reserve (Australia)
L. camara is one of the major alien weeds (the others being Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia), and catsclaw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) that occur on Stotts Island (NPWS 2001c). A weed control plan has been put into place for the Reserve and will be implemented under the Plan of Management. Declaration of the entire island as critical habitat provides greater scope for the exclusion of potential threats and the integrated management of this species.
Management Resources/Links
4. Australian Weeds Committee, 2008. Weeds of National Significance. Lantana
Summary: This site provides information on the strategy for the management of Lantana. Documents available for download include the strategy, Lantana control manual, brochures, posters and current and potential distribution maps.
Available from: http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/lantana/ [Accessed 23 October 2008] 5. Daehler, C.C; Denslow, J.S; Ansari, S and Huang-Chi, K., 2004. A Risk-Assessment System for Screening Out Invasive Pest Plants from Hawaii and Other Pacific Islands. Conservation Biology Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 360.
Summary: A study on the use of a screening system to assess proposed plant introductions to Hawaii or other Pacific Islands and to identify high-risk species used in horticulture and forestry which would greatly reduce future pest-plant problems and allow entry of most nonpests. 9. Hivert, J. 2003. Plantes exotiques envahissantes - Etat des méthodes de lutte mise en oeuvre par l'Office National des Forêts à La Réunion. ONF Réunion.
Summary: Synthèse des méthodes de lutte employées par l'ONF à la Réunion contre une vingtaine de plantes exotiques envahissantes. 11. Kueffer, C. and Mauremootoo, J., 2004. Case Studies on the Status of Invasive Woody Plant Species in the Western Indian Ocean. 3. Mauritius (Islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues). Forest Health & Biosecurity Working Papers FBS/4-3E. Forestry Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. 14. National Pest Plant Accord, 2001. Biosecurity New Zealand.
Summary: The National Pest Plant Accord is a cooperative agreement between regional councils and government departments with biosecurity responsibilities. Under the accord, regional councils will undertake surveillance to prevent the commercial sale and/or distribution of an agreed list of pest plants.
Available from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-diseases/plants/accord.htm [Accessed 11 August 2005] 15. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, 2005. Unwanted Organisms. Factsheet Lantana camara
Summary: The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN) provides information about New Zealand's most weedy exotic plant species and how to identify them. They also provide an on-line form to record observations of weed occurrences.
This page available from: http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/index02.asp?Filter=l&FilterStatus=1
Lists of Exotic Plant life and Weeds available from: http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/advanced_search.asp [Accessed 19 May 2005] 16. Pallin, N. 2000. Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve, Habitat restoration project, 15 years on. Ecological Management and Restoration 1(1):10 April 2000.
Summary: Discusses impacts species has had on a Reserve in Australia. Examines chemical and physical control methods and how control has been reached. 17. Parson, W. A. and Cuthbertson, E. G. 1992. Noxious weeds of Australia.
Summary: Plant species declared noxious in Australia. 22. Thomas S E, Ellison C A, Tomley A J 2006. Studies on the rust Prospodium tuberculatum, a new classical biological control agent released against the invasive alien weed Lantana camara in Australia. 2. Host range. Australasian Plant Pathology 35, 321–328. 24. Wilson, Colin, Wildlife Management Officer, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Parks & Wildlife Service, Northern Territory, Australia.
Summary: Compilor of original GISD profile of Chromoleana odorata. Results Page: 1
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