January 2002. Indonesia asked about Neochetina eichhorniae as a biocontrol agent of weed Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms in Mexico and asked for information on the family and order of the insect, the distribution, whether this insect has been found in Indonesia, other host plants (alternate hosts) and any references on the subject.
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has published several reference books on biological control of weeds (in general), water hyacinth in particular, and two small books of specific details of the best known insects for biological control of water hyacinth. These are available free to developing countries. It will be sent to Sri Suharni Siwi, Central Research Institute for Field Crops (CRIFC), Jalan Merdeka 147, Bogor 16111, Indonesia.
Dr Soekisman Tjitrosemito at BIOtrOP, Bogor, has reared and released insects for biological control of Eichhornia crassipes and will be able to inform you of what has been introduced, reared (and released). Dr Tjitrosemito can be contacted at BIOtrOP, Jl. Raya Tajur, Km 6, PO Box 116, Bogor; or via the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor.
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