Biology of a buprestid beetleSphenoptera clarescens [Col.: Buprestidae], from skeleton weed,Chondrilla juncea

Investigations carried out in Iran, to discover biological control agents for skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.), showed that the buprestid,Sphenoptera clarescens Kerr, was one of the insects highly damaging to the weed. The larvae of this beetle were active throughout theChondrilla season and fed mainly on the rootstocks, causing a progressive decline in naturalChondrilla populations. The host range of the beetle was examined in the field and in the glasshouse, and it was demonstrated thatS. clarescens occurs on and attacks severalCompositae related toC. juncea. As lettuce,Lactuca sativa L., and endive,Cichorium endivia L. could have been at risk in Australia, studies were discontinued.