Retrospective host testing of Aconophora compressa : reproduction and survival on the target weed, Lantana camara, and non-target species

Aconophora compressa Walker (Hemiptera: Membracidae) has been released as a biological control agent against Lantana camara L. (lantana) (Verbenaceae), a noxious pastoral and environmental weed. In no-choice tests conducted post-release, adult survival was statistically equivalent across the four verbenaceous plant taxa tested, Citharexylem spinosum L. (fiddlewood), lantana and Duranta erecta L. (var. geisha girl and var. Sheena's gold), but much lower on the two non-verbenaceous host plants, Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don (jacaranda) (Bignoniaceae) and Myoporum acuminatum R.Br. (Myoporaceae). Significantly more eggs were deposited on fiddlewood than on lantana, geisha girl and Sheena's gold; oviposition was not observed on jacaranda or M. acuminatum. Nymphal development was fastest on fiddlewood followed by lantana, geisha girl, and Sheena's gold. Nymphal survival across verbenaceous host plants ranged from 42 to 65%, but differences were not significant. A. compressa can survive and reproduce on lantana and build up to high numbers in laboratory settings but this is rarely observed in the field. This disparity between laboratory and field results warrants further investigation.