The effective Control by Parasites of Schematiza cordiae, Barber, in Trinidad

Abstract

Cordia macrostachya (Jacq.) R. & S. (Boraginaceae) is a serious pest in Mauritius, to which island it was accidentally introduced from the West Indies. During investigations of the possibility of the biological control of this weed, Kirby (1944 unpublished report, “Insects of Cordia in Trinidad”) and Donald (1945 unpublished dissertation) worked out the biology of the Galerucid, Schematiza cordiae, Barber (J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 37, p. 243, 1947), a defoliating species that gave promise of meriting consideration for introduction into Mauritius.