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Abstract
Chromolaena odorata is well known as an invasive weed, and its existence in agricultural habitats causes an undesirable effect on crop plants. The invasion of C. odorata alters local biodiversity and shapes the new trophic interaction with local herbivores and other insects. This research was conducted to study the insect communities associated with C. odorata and evaluate the success of the release of Cecidochares connexa, the natural enemy of C. odorata. Field research was conducted in two different geographical regions in Bogor Regency (Java) and South Lampung Regency (Sumatera), Indonesia. In each region, we selected five villages that have two land-use types (oil palm plantations and open area) and contain a high population of C. odorata. Observation of insects and natural enemies of C. odorata was conducted in each land-use type using two methods: suction sampling and gall collection, which were performed in 30 plants as sampling units. In total, we found 255 species of insects associated with C. odorata. The difference of region affected the abundance of insects but not their species richness. The species composition of insects showed difference between regions as well as between land-use types. There was a positive correlation between elevation and species richness of insects. In addition, the population of C. connexa (gall numbers) was significantly affected by regions and was found to be higher in Bogor and Lampung. The same pattern also was shown for its parasitoids (based on parasitized galls). We found a negative relationship between the number as well as parasitize galls and elevation. In conclusion, the presence of C. odorata, as well as its natural enemies, shape the new trophic interaction with local insects, and as consequence, its introduced natural enemies may not be effective to control the population of C. odorata.
Highlights
The Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata, is a well-known exotic invasive species which originates from tropical America and has become widespread in Asia
This indicates that C. connexa is well adapted and has established itself in the tropical region and can spread in a wide range of geographical areas, its effectiveness to control the population of C. odorata is to be questioned due to parasitism and predation by local insects
Our research results revealed that the elevation and geographical area affect the insect communities associated with C. odorata as well as its natural enemy, C. connexa
Summary
The Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata, is a well-known exotic invasive species which originates from tropical America and has become widespread in Asia. Siam weed in a new region can cause biotic homogenization and its existence in an agricultural area can be destructive to crop plants due to nutrient competition [4]. C. odorata is due to the effect of allelopathy [5] and the ability of this invasive weed to change the soil quality [6] as well as the soil microbial community [7]. The control of C. odorata, especially in agricultural areas, is very crucial to prevent the negative effect on crop plants and avoid economic loss. In Indonesia, the common methods of controlling C. odorata in plantations include a mechanical
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