Université de Fribourg

An early suitability assessment of two exotic Ophraella species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of invasive ragweed in Europe

E.Lommen, Suzanne T. ; Jolidon, Emilien F. ; Sun, Yan ; Eduardo, José I. Bustamante ; Müller-Schärer, Heinz

In: European Journal of Entomology, 2017, vol. 114, no. 1, p. 160–169

Classical biological control is an important means of managing the increasing threat of invasive plants. It constitutes the introduction of natural enemies from the native range of the target plant into the invaded area. This method may be the only cost-effective solution to control the rapidly expanding common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, in non-crop habitats in Europe. Therefore,...

Université de Fribourg

Ophraella communa, the ragweed leaf beetle, has successfully landed in Europe: fortunate coincidence or threat?

Müller-Schärer, Heinz ; Lommen, Suzanne T. E. ; Rossinelli, M. ; Bonini, M. ; Boriani, M. ; Bosio, G. ; Schaffner, Urs

In: Weed Research, 2014, vol. 54, no. 2, p. 109–119

We report the occurrence of the North American ragweed leaf beetle Ophraella communa in Europe. During our surveys to monitor populations of the invasive alien plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe, we found the beetle south of the Alps, in more than 130 sites in southern Switzerland (Ticino) and northern Italy (Lombardia, Piemonte and Emilia-Romagna). At sites where O. communa was present, up...

Université de Fribourg

Prospects for biological control of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe: learning from the past

Gerber, E. ; Schaffner, Urs ; Gassmann, A. ; Hinz, H. L. ; Seier, M. ; Müller-Schärer, Heinz

In: Weed Research, 2011, vol. 51, no. 6, p. 559–573

The recent invasion by Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) has, like no other plant, raised the awareness of invasive plants in Europe. The main concerns regarding this plant are that it produces a large amount of highly allergenic pollen that causes high rates of sensitisation among humans, but also A. artemisiifolia is increasingly becoming a major weed in agriculture. Recently, chemical...