Release Information

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Agent

Larinus minutus Gyllenhal

Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Curculionidae

Agent Name References:
- Lang, R.F., J.M. Story, and G.L. Piper. 1996. Establishment of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweed in the western United States. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 72: 209-212.
- 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.

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 & Romania
Year: 1991
Region: North America
Country: United States of America
Subregion of Country: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MN, MT, NE, NV, NM, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY
Subregion specific:

Release History: MT WA 1991-1993, NE OR 1992, WY 1991-1992, CO 1993; Redistributed CA 1995, AZ MN NM NV SD TX UT years unknown; Redistributed as mix of Bangasternus fausti and Larinus minutus OR to ID 2008-2009, WA 2008

Release Notes: Initially introduced onto Centaurea diffusa and C. stoebe subsp. micranthos in 1991. Redistributions attempted on C. ×moncktonii in 1998, C. virgata subsp. squarrosa in 1997, and C. calcitrapa in 1998.

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.
- 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.
- Lang, R.F., J.M. Story, and G.L. Piper. 1996. Establishment of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweed in the western United States. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 72: 209-212.
- Littlefield, J.L. 1997. (personal communication) Dept. Land Resources & Environmental Sciences Montana State University PO Box 173120 Bozeman, Montana 59717-3120, USA.
- 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.

Original Host Species

Centaurea diffusa Lam. and Centaurea grisebachii (Nyman) Heldr.

Original Host Species References:
- Keever, C.C., L. Gültekin, R.S. Bourchier, J.H. Myers, and J.S. Cory. 2021. Post-release genetic assessment of two congeneric weed biological control agents. Biological Control 152: 104462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104462

Establishment

Established: Yes
Established in Subregion of Country: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NE, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Established in Subregion specific:

Establishment References:
- 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.
- Lang, R.F., J.M. Story, and G.L. Piper. 1996. Establishment of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweed in the western United States. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 72: 209-212.
- 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.

Abundance

High

Abundance 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.
- Woods, D. and V. Popescu. 2009. Diffuse knapweed biological control in California: 1976-2008. In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2008 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California. pp. 43-46.
- 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: Heavy
Geographic Scale of impact: Widespread throughout range
Impact Notes: Larval feeding decreases seed output, adult feeding decreases plant function. Causes widespread decreases in density of Centaurea diffusa, which is preferred host over C. stoebe subsp. micranthos. Replacing Bangasternus fausti at many CA sites. Mice predation can be high at some sites.

Impact References:
- Coombs, E.M. 2012. Biological control of weeds in Oregon. Annual Report 2012. Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, Salem, Oregon, USA. 35 pp.
- 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.
- Woods, D. and V. Popescu. 2009. Diffuse knapweed biological control in California: 1976-2008. In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2008 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California. pp. 43-46.
- 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.
- Randall, C.B., J.E., Andreas, and J. Milan. 2023. Knapweed Biocontrol Agents: History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2023-34-KNAPWEEDS-A.

Limiting Factors

Predation

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))
Davis, California (USDA (14))
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS)

Notes

Larinus minutus reportedly prefers Centaurea diffusa while Larinus obtusus prefers C. stoebe subsp. micranthos. Both are difficult to differentiate with the naked eye, with some evidence pointing to them being variants of the same species. Many releases of either agent likely contained a mixture of both.

Notes 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.



Based on: Winston, R.L., M. Schwarzlander, H.L. Hinz, M.D. Day, M.J.W. Cock, and M.H. Julien, Eds. 2024. Biological Control of Weeds: A World Catalogue of Agents and Their Target Weeds. Based on FHTET-2014-04, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Available online at https://www.ibiocontrol.org/catalog/ [Accessed 29 March 2024].

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