Biological control of chromolaena in Micronesia

摘要

Chromolaena odorata established in the Mariana Islands in the early 1960s and had spread to most of the Micronesian islands by the early 2000s. The natural enemy Pareuchaetes pseudo-insulata has established in the Mariana Islands and Pohnpei while the gall fly Cecidochares connexa has established in Palau and Guam. The gall fly is being released in Saipan and host specificity tested in Pohnpei. The eriophyid mite Acalitus adoratus has fortuitously established in the East Caroline and Mariana Islands. Attempts are being made to eradicate the chromolaena infestation in the Majuro Island of the Marshall Islands.