Cryptostegia madagascariensis

In Australia, biological control has been used in both the species C. grandiflora and C. madagascariensis. The rubber vine rust (Maravalia cryptostegiae) has been used for biological control over a wide area in Queensland. Yellow spores form under leaves eventually causing defoliation, reducing seed production, causing dieback of stems, and killing young seedlings. In addition the larvae of the moth Euclasta whalleyi have been used in combination with the rust. This larvae feed on leaves. These agents do not kill established plants, but do cause abnormal defoliation and lead to reduced seed production. Their success and potential damage depends on their abundance (Starr et al., 2003). In Brazil, two fungal pathogens Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Glomerella cingulata) and Pseudocercospora cryptostegiae-madagascariensis have been targeted as potential biological control agents (Silva et al., 2008).