The first record on Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus decapetalus as host plants of ragweed leaf beetle (Ophraella communa L.) in Serbia

Abstract

So far, the confirmed host plants of the ragweed leaf beetle in Serbia belonged to the genus Ambrosia (Ambrosia artemisifolia, A. trifida). At one locality Tošin bunar (Bežanija, Belgrade, Serbia) the first case of Ophraella communa adults feeding on leaves of Xanthium strumarium and Helianthus decapetalus was recorded in Serbia. The number of specimens of O. communa on H. decapetalus was ranging between 1 and 18 specimens per plant, while on X. strumarium it was up to 10 adult specimens. While the plants of ragweed had up to 100% damaged leaves, the leaves of X. strumarium and H. decapetalus had leaf damage less than 10-15% per plant. Considering our findings of the insect feeding on spontaneous allochthonous plant species H. decapetalus, seasonal monitoring of O. communa is recommended especially in the fields where the sunflower (Helianthus annus) is widely cultivated. Monitoring of O. communa on the other plant species of Astereae, especially on allochthonous species originating from North America which share the same natural habitats with the ragweed leaf beetle is also recommended.