Information

Agent

Bangasternus fausti (Reitter)

Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Curculionidae

Agent Name References:
- Smith, L. and M. Mayer. 2005. Field cage assessment of interference among insects attacking seed heads of spotted and diffuse knapweed. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15(5): 427-442.
- Sobhian, R., G. Campobasso, and P.H. Dunn. 1992. A contribution to the biology of Bangasternus fausti (Col.: Curculionidae), a potential biological control agent of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea diffusa, and its effect on the host plant. Entomophaga 37: 171-179.

Weed

Centaurea diffusa Lam.

Family: Asteraceae
Common Name: diffuse knapweed

Origin: Eurasia

Weed Name References:
- Seastedt, T.R., D.G. Knochel, M. Garmoe, and S.A. Shosky. 2007. Interactions and effects of multiple biological control insects on diffuse and spotted knapweed in the Front Range of Colorado. Biological Control 42: 345-354.
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.

Weed Common Name References:
- Seastedt, T.R., D.G. Knochel, M. Garmoe, and S.A. Shosky. 2007. Interactions and effects of multiple biological control insects on diffuse and spotted knapweed in the Front Range of Colorado. Biological Control 42: 345-354.
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.

Weed Origin References:
- Seastedt, T.R., D.G. Knochel, M. Garmoe, and S.A. Shosky. 2007. Interactions and effects of multiple biological control insects on diffuse and spotted knapweed in the Front Range of Colorado. Biological Control 42: 345-354.
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.

Release and Source Information

List: 1 - Exotic Organisms Intentionally Introduced

Source: Ex. Greece
Year: 1990
Region: North America
Country: United States of America
Subregion of Country: CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, WA
Subregion specific:

Release History: OR 1990, CA 1994-1995, MT 1991-1992, CO year unknown; Redistributed unknown source to WA 1993; Redistributed as mix of Bangasternus fausti and Larinus minutus OR to ID 2008-2009, WA 2008

Release Notes: An experimental release was first made in OR in 1989. Originally released on Centaurea diffusa. Redistributions attempted from C. diffusa to C. ×moncktonii in 1998, C. stoebe subsp. micranthos in 1992, C. virgata subsp. squarrosa in 1993, and C. calcitrapa in 1999.

Source Information References:
- Coombs, E.M. 1997. Biological control of weeds in Oregon. Annual Report. Project summaries 1996. Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, Salem, Oregon, USA. 33 pp.
- Coombs, E.M. 2013. (personal communication) Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, 635 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97301 USA.
- Hansen, R. 1997. (personal communication) United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States of America.
- Joley, D.B. and D.M. Woods. 1997. Biological control of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea diffusa. In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 1996 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, Sacramento, California. pp. 35.
- Littlefield, J.L. 1997. (personal communication) Dept. Land Resources & Environmental Sciences Montana State University PO Box 173120 Bozeman, Montana 59717-3120, USA.
- Piper, G.L. 1997. (personal communication) Washington State University, Department of Entomology, Pullman, Washington 99164-6382, United States of America.
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.
- EDDMapS. 2017. Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. The University of Georgia, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. https://www.eddmaps.org/distribution/. 15 January 2017.

Original Host Species

Unknown

Establishment

Established: Yes
Established in Subregion of Country: CA, ID, MT, NE, OR, WA
Established in Subregion specific:

Establishment References:
- Coombs, E.M. 1997. Biological control of weeds in Oregon. Annual Report. Project summaries 1996. Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, Salem, Oregon, USA. 33 pp.
- Coombs, E.M. 2013. (personal communication) Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, 635 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97301 USA.
- Joley, D.B. and D.M. Woods. 1997. Biological control of diffuse knapweed, Centaurea diffusa. In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 1996 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, Sacramento, California. pp. 35.
- Smith, L. and M. Mayer. 2005. Field cage assessment of interference among insects attacking seed heads of spotted and diffuse knapweed. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15(5): 427-442.

Abundance

Variable

Abundance References:
- Coombs, E.M. 2013. (personal communication) Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, 635 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97301 USA.
- Smith, L. and M. Mayer. 2005. Field cage assessment of interference among insects attacking seed heads of spotted and diffuse knapweed. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15(5): 427-442.
- Story, J. and G.L. Piper. 2001. Status of biological control effects against spotted and diffuse knapweed. In L. Smith, Ed. Proceedings of the First International Knapweed Symposium of the Twenty-First Century. 15-16 March 2001, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA; USDA Agricultural Research Service. pp. 11-17.
- Andreas, J.E., J. Milan, C. Randall, and J. Price. 2020. Biological Control. In E. Peachey, Ed. Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. A1-A7.

Agent Impact

Impact: Variable
Geographic Scale of impact: Variable
Impact Notes: Populations high and control good in OR and WA. Can destroy up to 100% of the seed in attacked capitula; however, abundance and impact limited elsewhere, including ID, not likely due to interspecific competition. Prefers hot, dry areas and does not do well in areas with prolonged rain or at high elevations. Other causes limiting success not well known.

Impact References:
- Smith, L. and M. Mayer. 2005. Field cage assessment of interference among insects attacking seed heads of spotted and diffuse knapweed. Biocontrol Science and Technology 15(5): 427-442.
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.
- Andreas, J.E., J. Milan, C. Randall, and J. Price. 2020. Biological Control. In E. Peachey, Ed. Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. A1-A7.

Limiting Factors

Climate; Elevation

Limiting Factors References:
- Story, J.M., G.L. Piper, and E.M. Coombs. 2004. Knapweeds. In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 196-232.

Other Attack

Were other species attacked?: No
Other Species Attacked Notes:

Research Organizations

California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento (State (14))
Oregon State Department of Agriculture, Salem (State (15))
Washington State University (State (9))
Bozeman, Montana (USDA (10))
Albany, California (USDA (7))

Notes