DUBE, N., ZACHARIADES, C. & OLCKERS, T. 2009. Comparative biology and effects of crossbreeding Pareuchaetes insulata (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), a biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae). Proceedings of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association 82: 433 – 436.

ZACHARIADES, C., STRATHIE, L.W., RETIEF, E. & DUBE, N. 2011. Progress towards the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob (Asteraceae) in South Africa. African Entomology 19: 282-302.

DUBE, N., ASSEFA Y., ZACHARIADES C., OLCKERS T. & CONLONG D. 2014. Genetic diversity in Pareuchaetes insulata and its implications for biological control of Chromolaena odorata. BioControl 59: 253-262.

ZACHARIADES, C., OSARIYEKEMWEN U., DUBE, N., STRATHIE L.W., MUIR D., CONLONG D. E., ASSEFFA Y., 2016. Biological control of Chromolaena odorata: Pareuchaetes insulata spread its wings. Proceedings of the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association 89:291-306.

DUBE, N., ZACHARIADES, C., UYI O.O., MUNYAI T.C., 2017. Laboratory studies on the biology and host range of Dichrorampha odorata (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a biological control agent for Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 27:222-236.

DUBE, N., UYI, O.O., ZACHARIADES, C., MUNYAI, T. C., WHITWELL, M., 2019. Impact of the shoot-boring moth Dichrorampha odorata (Lepitoptera: Tortricidae) on growth and reproductive potential of Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) in South Africa. Biocontrol Science and Technology 29: 350-364.

DUBE, N., ZACHARIADES, C., UYI O.O., MUNYAI T.C. 2020. Life history traits and host suitability of a gall-forming fly, Polymorphomyia basilica (Diptera: Tephritidae) for the biological control of Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) in South Africa. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 14: 237-250.

DUBE, N., VAN HEERDEN, F.R., ZACHARIADES, C., MUNYAI T.C. 2021. First records of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the southern African biotype of C. odorata. South African Journal of Botany 139: 19-25.

Biological control of invasive alien plants

Pre-release and post-release studies such as life history traits and host specificity of potential insect biocontrol agents, their impact on target plants and evolutionary changes of phytochemistry in response to herbivory.

Biological control of invasive alien plants

Insect pests management

Management of agricultural pests using biological control and sterile insect techniques.

Prerelease studies

Life history traits such as insect fecundity, voltinism, survival rates and longevity of potential insect biological control agents for the management of invasive alien plants.

Host specificity and preference testing of potential insect biocontrol agents using no-choice and multi-choice techniques for the management of invasive alien plants in South Africa and other countries with common weed consisting of different biotype.

Impact of invasive alien plants on ecosystem assemblages and impact of potential insect biocontrol agent on reproductive potential and total biomass of invasive alien plants.

Post release studies

Monitoring and evaluation of the establishment and spread of approved insect biocontrol agents, factors affecting the establishment, and impact of the released insect biocontrol agent on population dynamics, reproduction rates and vigor of the invasive alien plants.

Impact of invasive alien plants on ecosystem assemblages after the introduction of biocontrol agents and response of plant chemistry to insect herbivory in the adventive range.