The Phytophagous Arthropods Associated with Lantana camara, L. hirsuta, L. urticifolia, and L. urticoides (Verbenaceae) in North America

A survey of the phytophagous arthropod fauna associated with four closely related species of Lantana (L. camara, L. urticifolia, L. urticoides, and L. hirsuta) was undertaken in Mexico and the southern United States between 1988 and 1992 to find biological control agents for L. camara, a serious weed in Australia and elsewhere. Some 261 phytophagous insect or mite species (and two rust fungi) were found. Records of species collected during three previous entomological surveys were added to produce a more complete data set of 550 phytophagous species collected throughout North America. Twenty-six of these were considered to have host ranges confined to the subfamily Verbenoideae and thus to be prospective or actual biological control agents.