International PARTHENIUM Research

Curriculum Vitae - Dr K. Dhileepan

Dr. Dhileepan

Since 1996 I am working on the biological control of tropical weeds with an emphasis on parthenium. Specific areas my research include evaluating different field release strategies and monitoring the impact of biocontrol on the weed. Evaluating the impact of biocontrol on the weed is the area that received very little attention worldwide. I conducted a biocontrol exclusion trial in two properties in Queensland for four years and quantified the impact of biocontrol on the weed at individual plant, weed population and soil seed-bank levels. We have also quantified the economic benefits of biocontrol on parthenium weed through improved pasture production.

Completed Projects:

Introduction and evaluation of parthenium biocontrol agents in Queensland, Australia (1996-2000).

Use of fire to control parthenium weed and evaluate its effects on parthenium biocontrol agents (99-02).

Efficacy of gall-inducing insects in the biological control of parthenium weed (1998-2000).

Supervision of student research:

Divergent evolution of Zygogramma bicolorata during it s establishment and proliferation in Queensland, Australia - Honors research project, James Cook University (1998-1999).

Intraspecific competition between two stem-boring biocontrol agents with overlapping niche in parthenium weed - Student research project, James Cook University, 1999.

Population buildup of introduced biocontrol agents on an exotic weed - CSIRO students research scheme (1997).

Research publications (on parthenium)

Dhileepan, K., Madigan, B., Vitelli, M., McFadyen, R., Webster, K. & Trevino, M. (1996). A new initiative in the biological control of parthenium. Proceedings of the eleventh Australian weeds conference, (ed. R.C.H. Shepherd), pp. 309-312. Weeds society of Victoria, Australia.

Dhileepan, K. & McFadyen, R. E. (1997). Biological control of parthenium in Australia - progress and prospects. First international conference on parthenium management. (eds M. Mahadevappa & V.C. Patil), pp. 40-44. University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India.

Raman, A. & Dhileepan, K. (1999). Qualitative evaluation of damage by Epiblema strenuana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Annals of Entomological Society of America 92: 717-723.

Dhileepan, K., Setter, S., & McFadyen, R.E. (2000). Response of the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) to defoliation by the introduced biocontrol agent Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Biological Control 19: 9-16.

Dhileepan, K., Setter, S. & McFadyen, R.E. (2000). Impact of defoliation by the introduced biocontrol agent Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on parthenium weed in Australia. BioControl 45: 501-518.

Dhileepan, K. & McFadyen, R.E. (2001). Effects of gall damage by the introduced biocontrol agent Epiblema strenuana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Journal of Applied Entomology 125: 1-8.

Dhileepan, K., Raman, A., & Florentine, S.K. (2001). Efficiency of gall-inducing insects in the biological control of parthenium weed: structural, metabolic and physiological changes. Antenna 25: 47-52.

Florentine, S.K., Raman, A. & Dhileepan, K. (2001) Gall-inducing insects and biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus L (Asteraceae). Plant Protection Quarterly 16: 63-68.

Dhileepan, K. (2001). Effectiveness of introduced biocontrol insects on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research 91: 167-176.

Papers presented in seminar/symposia/workshops

Dhileepan, K, Setter, S., Florentine, S. & Dearden, S. (2000). Effectiveness of introduced biocontrol insects on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in Australia. 31st Australian Entomological Society Conference, 25-30th June, Darwin.

Florentine, S.K., Raman, A. & Dhileepan, K. (2000). Structural and histochemical changes in the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) due to galling by two introduced biocontrol insects. 31st Australian Entomological Society Conference, 25-30th June, Darwin.

Wayne, V., Setter, C., Campbell, S., & Dhileepan, K. (2000). Evaluation of fire as a control option for parthenium in native pastures. Tropical Grassland Society Conference, Emerald, Queensland.

Rice, A. D., Rowe, R., & Dhileepan, K. (1999). Evidence of local adaptation in the Australian population of Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) - An introduced biocontrol agent for the noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae). 30th Australian Entomological Society Conference, Canberra.

Dhileepan, K & Setter, S. (1997). Biological Control of Parthenium Weed: What Is Happening? Regional Landcare meeting, 25 Nov 1997, Clermont, Queensland.

Dhileepan, K & McFadyen, R. E. (1997). Biological Control of Parthenium in Australia: Progress and Prospects. First International Conference on Parthenium Management, 6-8 Oct 1997, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharward, India.

Dhileepan, K. (1997). Developments in the Biological Control of Parthenium Weed in Australia. Guest lectures given at the Project Directorate of Biological Control, Bangalore and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in India during 10-13 Oct 1997.

Dhileepan, K. Setter, S., & McFadyen, R.E. (1997). How effective are the parthenium biocontrol insects? Parthenium Study Group Meeting, May 21 1997, CRC for Tropical Pest Management, Alan Fletcher Research Station, Brisbane.

Dhileepan, K., Madigan, B., Vitelli, M., McFadyen, R., Webster, and Trevino, M. (1996). A New Initiative in the Biological Control of Parthenium. 11th Australian Weeds Conference, 30 Sep - 3 Oct 1996, Melbourne, Australia.