Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus L. is considered globally as one of the most troublesome weeds, which has invaded non-cropped as well as cropped lands in many tropical and sub-tropical countries including India. Biological control using the Mexican beetle (Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister) among other agents, has been considered most successful in India. In the present study, models were developed using climatic indices (minimum temperature, maximum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) as independent variables to determine the suitable sites for the establishment of Z. bicolorata. Regression approach for model building revealed 79.6% concordance, 20.0% discordance, and 0.4% tie between predicted probabilities and observed responses whereas, decision tree using J48 algorithm classified 81.7% instances correctly which helped to frame the rules for predicting the establishment of Z. bicolorata. Based on these rules, it was concluded that a site experiencing climate with indices values of average minimum temperature 24.2–26.2 °C and rainfall 191.2–257.3 mm during July to October would be highly suitable for setting up the Z. bicolorata population in the region. These models might be useful to decide the most suitable sites for release and establishment of Z. bicolorata in India as well as in other parts of the world with similar climatic conditions.
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