Solanum elaeagnifolium - satansbos

Observed by Justin du ToitJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in Plants on 21st January 2011
(Added to iSpot on 4th July 2012)
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Invasive alien Solanum. Common in croplands and on roadsides. Underground stems if chopped up (e.g. plough, grader) sprout to form new plant. Nearly impossible to eradicate through digging out. Becoming increasingly abundant on roadsides in dry areas seemingly through being spread by graders. An invader that can also invade intact veld. Some registered herbicides available, but need repeated application.

Location: Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute
Identifications
Species interactions

No interactions present.

Other observations of Satansbos (Solanum elaeagnifolium)

Comments

beetles

4 July 2012 - 11:49am — tony rebelo
iSpot TeamBotanical Society of South Africa A-teamCape Bird ClubEntomological Society of Southern AfricaFriends of Tokai ParkProtea Atlas ProjectSenior Scout AdventureSouth African National Biodiversity InstituteSouth African National Parks Honorary RangersToyota Enviro Outreach
Plants expert

Please post the beetles in 2 as an observation on its own!

Have done

4 July 2012 - 1:46pm — Justin du ToitJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in Plants

Have done so - spotted maize beetle.

Satansbos control

4 July 2012 - 3:55pm — Riaan Stals
Entomological Society of Southern AfricaLepidopterists' Society of Africa
Riaan Stals's reputation in PlantsRiaan Stals's reputation in PlantsRiaan Stals's reputation in PlantsRiaan Stals's reputation in Plants

You mentioned mechanical and chemical control, but there is also biological control. Two North American leaf beetle species (Leptinotarsa spp., family Chrysomelidae) have been released against satansbos in South Africa since 1992, and has brought about substantial control of the weed. The damage to the plants is mainly by Leptinotarsa texana, which causes stunting and reduced fruiting, allowing natural vegetation to come back. The beetles need to be distributed to weed infestations by hand, but then they are very effective.

-- Beetledude

Biocontrol

5 July 2012 - 7:13am — Justin du ToitJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in PlantsJustin du Toit's reputation in Plants

Good news! I'd heard about them but have not worked with them. Where can I get these beetles?

Try this

5 July 2012 - 9:00am — tony rebelo
iSpot TeamBotanical Society of South Africa A-teamCape Bird ClubEntomological Society of Southern AfricaFriends of Tokai ParkProtea Atlas ProjectSenior Scout AdventureSouth African National Biodiversity InstituteSouth African National Parks Honorary RangersToyota Enviro Outreach
Plants expert

Useful:
http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?PID=2901&ToolID=65&ItemID=3027
How to collect and disperse and contacts

Less useful:
http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?PID=2901&ToolID=65&ItemID=3028
Background