Beautifully Moth-Eaten

This book* is a welcome second volume in an ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) series on using arthropod agents for biological control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Happily, like its predecessor, it is as useful and authoritative as it is good to look at, and provides a complete 'do-it-yourself' guide to the use of two lepidopteran biological control agents using the CSIRO methods that have been successfully employed in many programmes.

The first volume** in the series dealt with Neochetina weevils; this second volume deals with the moths Niphograpta albiguttalis and Xubida infusellus. Both books include introductory sections on the biology and impact of water hyacinth, together with options for its management, and then go on to deal with the agents and their use in biological or integrated control.

This book describes the biologies and host ranges of the moths, gives a history of their introductions and a comprehensive summary of host specificity testing. The outstanding feature once again, however, is the clearly written, highly illustrated sections on rearing, releasing and monitoring techniques for those who want to use the moths for biological or integrated control of water hyacinth.

*Julien, M.H.; Griffiths, M.W.; Stanley, J.N (2001) Biological control of water hyacinth 2. The moths Niphograpta albiguttalis and Xubida infusellus: biologies, host ranges, and rearing, releasing and monitoring techniques for biological control of Eichhornia crassipes. ACIAR Monograph Series No. 79, 91 pp. ISBN 1 86320 295 1

**Julien, M.H.; Griffiths, M.W.; Wright, A.D. (1999) Biological control of water hyacinth. The weevils Neochetina bruchi and N. eichhorniae: biologies, host ranges, and rearing, releasing and monitoring techniques for biological control of Eichhornia crassipes. ACIAR Monograph Series No. 60, 87 pp. ISBN 1 86320 267 6

Obtainable from: ACIAR, GPO Box 1571, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

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South African Weed Handbooks

Two useful handbooks in relation to `New Legislation Benefits Weed Biocontrol in South Africa' (see General News, this issue) are described here.

Declared Weeds and Invasive Plants in South Africa

The main objective in producing this handbook* was to enable members of the public and the relevant authorities to identify the declared weeds and invaders covered by the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act 43 of 1983) (CARA), as amended during March 2001. It is the officially recognized guide to the plant species banned or regulated by the amended CARA regulations, sanctioned by a foreword by the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs.

Even dedicated environmentalists despair at the task of learning to recognize the almost 200 plant species on the list, remembering to which category each belongs and learning how to deal with each category. Several over-zealous gardeners and land managers have acted on rumours, mistakenly destroying indigenous trees or species not mentioned in the CARA regulations.

The new book should put an end to the uncertainty and rumours amongst gardeners, horticulturists, foresters and agriculturists about which plants may stay, which ones have to be removed, which ones may no longer be sold and which ones may only grow in demarcated areas. In the words of the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs "It is a guide that is long overdue, and will provide for a systematic and sustainable assault on invasive alien plants".

Some of the features of the new book are:

• descriptions, distribution maps and line drawings of 234 species of alien weeds and invasive plants in South Africa (including some species that have been proposed for legislation but have not yet made it into the CARA list)
• all 198 species of declared weeds and invaders, and a complete copy of the regulations concerning their control
• colour photographs of 100 species including some of the less familiar ones
• a quick guide to the identification of the major groups of plants, based on characteristics that are always visible and easy to understand
• an indication of whether the plant species are subjects of herbicide registration and biological control, and whether they are poisonous or irritant
• other sources of information, a comprehensive glossary and an index to botanical and common names

The major sponsors of this publication were the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry and the National Department of Agriculture.

Rehabilitation of Areas Cleared of Alien Plants

This handbook**, which includes region-specific `GRAB-A-GRASS dials', is aimed at people who want to clear alien vegetation from their land without causing soil erosion or a resurgence of weed seedlings in the cleared areas.

It provides guidelines and recommendations for the selection of suitable grass species, using practical rehabilitation methods after removal of alien vegetation. Integrated control strategies for alien plants have been categorized for alien trees, shrubs, succulent species and herbs. The book contains colour photographs and easy-to-follow graphics.

Part 1 of the book deals with the integrated control of alien plants and covers:

• control of standing trees
• how to fell trees and control stumps
• burning strategies
• how to control alien shrub species
• follow-up control methods including chemical, mechanical and biological control
• planning for integrated alien plant control

Summary tables at the end of part 1 describe provincial distribution and abundance of the most common alien plants, and the available mechanical, biological and chemical methods for their control.

Part 2 reports back on five workshops that were held to collate the known information on the selection of grass species for rehabilitation. It introduces suitable grass species to cover bare soil after alien plant control, and explains how to select the grass species according to land-use aims and environmental constraints.

A 'GRAB-A-GRASS dial' provided with the book is an easy-to-use device composed of three rotating discs. The discs have windows cut into them, which describe in detail the seven steps to follow when using grass to rehabilitate and manage alien plants.

Part 3 describes harvesting methods for grass species that are not commercially available, and practical grass planting methods that have been tried and tested over many years.

This book also forms part of two alien plant control courses approved through Act 36 of 1947 for the registration of Pest Control Operators.

*Henderson, L. (2001) Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa; ARC-PPRI, PPRI Handbook No. 12, 300 pp.

**Campbell, P. (2001) Rehabilitation recommendations after alien plant control Pretoria, South Africa; ARC-PPRI, PPRI Handbook No. 11b, 124 pp.
[This book notice is adapted from Plant Protection News No. 59, Summer 2001.]

Available from: Mrs Hannetjie Combrink, the PPRI Librarian, Private Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Email nipbhc@plant1.agric.za

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