Surveys of the weed in its introduced range are required to determine the fauna already using the plant as a host. This is important as a potential biological control agent may already be present on the host in its introduced range, as a result of prior introduction with the host.

It should be established whether the fauna are native to the target country or whether there are species apparently not native attacking the plant. The identity of fungal pathogens needs to be checked and compared with those found in the native range.

All of these specimens should be identified by specialist taxonomists and the data compiled.