Information

Agent

Aphthona lacertosa Rosenhauer

Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae

Agent Name References:
- Nowierski, R.M. and R.W. Pemberton. 2002. Leafy Spurge. In R. Van Driesche, S. Lyon, B. Blossey, M. Hoddle, and R. Reardon, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. FHTET-2002-04. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. pp. 181-194.

Weed

Euphorbia esula L.

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Incorrect Past Names/Synonyms: Euphorbia virgata Waldst. & Kit.
Common Name: leafy spurge

Notes: Increasing evidence indicates the species considered weedy throughout North America is Euphorbia virgata Waldst. & Kit., a species distinct from Euphorbia esula L. Because of widespread application of the name E. esula in North American weed literature and continued taxonomic uncertainty in this Euphorbia group, the name E. esula is retained in this catalogue, though the authors of this catalogue recognize the name E. virgata is likely most accurate.

Origin: Eurasia

Weed Name References:
- Gassmann, A. and D. Schroeder. 1995. The search for effective biological control agents in Europe: history and lessons from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.). Biological Control 5: 466-477.
- Nowierski, R.M. and R.W. Pemberton. 2002. Leafy Spurge. In R. Van Driesche, S. Lyon, B. Blossey, M. Hoddle, and R. Reardon, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. FHTET-2002-04. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. pp. 181-194.

Weed Synonym References:
- Riina, R., J.A. Peirson, D.V. Geltman, J. Molero, B. Frajman, A. Pahlevani, L. Barres, J.J. Morawetz, Y. Salmaki, S. Zarre, A. Kryukov, P.V. Bruyns, and P.E. Berry. 2013. A worldwide molecular phylogeny and classification of the leafy spurges, Euphorbia subgenus Esula (Euphorbiaceae). Taxon 62: 316–342.
- Berry, P.E. 2017. (personal communication) University of Michigan, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2035 Kraus Nat. Sci. Bldg, 830 N University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA.

Weed Common Name References:
- Gassmann, A. and D. Schroeder. 1995. The search for effective biological control agents in Europe: history and lessons from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.). Biological Control 5: 466-477.
- Nowierski, R.M. and R.W. Pemberton. 2002. Leafy Spurge. In R. Van Driesche, S. Lyon, B. Blossey, M. Hoddle, and R. Reardon, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. FHTET-2002-04. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. pp. 181-194.

Weed Notes References:
- Riina, R., J.A. Peirson, D.V. Geltman, J. Molero, B. Frajman, A. Pahlevani, L. Barres, J.J. Morawetz, Y. Salmaki, S. Zarre, A. Kryukov, P.V. Bruyns, and P.E. Berry. 2013. A worldwide molecular phylogeny and classification of the leafy spurges, Euphorbia subgenus Esula (Euphorbiaceae). Taxon 62: 316–342.
- Berry, P.E. 2017. (personal communication) University of Michigan, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2035 Kraus Nat. Sci. Bldg, 830 N University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA.

Weed Origin References:
- Bourchier, R., R. Hansen, R. Lym, A. Norton, D. Olson, C.B. Randall, M. Schwarzländer, and L. Skinner. 2006. Biology and Biological Control of Leafy Spurge. FHTET-2005-07. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. 138 pp.
- Gassmann, A. and D. Schroeder. 1995. The search for effective biological control agents in Europe: history and lessons from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.). Biological Control 5: 466-477.

Release and Source Information

List: 1 - Exotic Organisms Intentionally Introduced

Source: Ex. Austria & Hungary & Former Yugoslavia
Year: 1993
Region: North America
Country: United States of America
Subregion of Country: CA, CO, IA, ID, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Subregion specific:

Release History: Recorded as being redistributed in a mixture containing Aphthona czwalinai and A. lacertosa to CO IA NE SD WA 1993-1996, ID 1993-1994, MI NH NY RI 1995-1996, MN 1992-1995, MT 1993-1996, NV NM UT 1994-1996, ND 1994, OR 1993-1995, WI 1992-1996, WY 1993-1995 however releases made pre-1993 likely contained only A. czwalinai; Mixture containing A. czwalinai, A. lacertosa, and A. flava redistributed within NY 2000; Mixture containing A. lacertosa and A. nigriscutis redistributed ND to CA 2001; Redistributed MT to ID 2004, OR to CA 2007

Release Notes: Released on both Euphorbia cyparissias and E. esula. Though listed as being released in a mixture with the morphologically very similar Aphthona czwalinai, A. lacertosa was not approved for release until 1993 so redistributions occurring prior to this date likely contained only A. czwalinai. Aphthona redistributions ongoing in many states utilizing mixture of Aphthona species.

Source Information References:
- Anderson, G.L., E.S. Delfosse, N.R. Spencer, C.W. Prosser, and R.D. Richard. 2000. Biological control of leafy spurge: an emerging success story. In N.R. Spencer, Ed. Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 4-14 July 1999, Bozeman, Montana, USA; Montana State University pp. 15-25.
- Coombs, E.M. 2013. (personal communication) Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, 635 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97301 USA.
- Faubert, H. and R.A. Casagrande. 2002. Cypress Spurge. In R. Van Driesche, S. Lyon, B. Blossey, M. Hoddle, and R. Reardon, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. FHTET-2002-04. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. pp. 195-207.
- Gassmann, A. and D. Schroeder. 1995. The search for effective biological control agents in Europe: history and lessons from leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.). Biological Control 5: 466-477.
- Hansen, R.W., R.D. Richard, P.E. Parker, and L.E. Wendel. 1997. Distribution of Biological Control Agents of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) in the United States: 1988–1996. Biological Control 10(2): 129-142.
- Lym, R.G. and R.B. Carlson. 2002. Effect of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Genotype on feeding damage and reproduction of Aphthona spp.: implications for biological weed control. Biological Control 23: 127-133.
- Rees, N.E., Q.P.C. Jr, G.L. Piper, E.M. Coombs, C.E. Turner, N.R. Spencer, and L.V. Knutson. 1996. Biological Control of Weeds in the West. Western Society of Weed Science, Bozeman, Montana
- ROBO Database. 2012. Release of beneficial organisms in the United States and Territories. USDA ARS. www.ars-grin.gov/nigrp/robo.html. 10 September 2012.
- Villegas, B. 2010. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. (Euphorbiaceae). In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2009 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California, USA. pp. 57.
- Villegas, B., E. Coombs, G. Brown, and J. Aceves. 2008. Biological control releases on leafy spurge in Siskiyou County, California. In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2007 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California, USA. pp. 34-35.

Original Host Species

Euphorbia cyparissias L., Euphorbia esula L.

Original Host Species References:
- ROBO Database. 2012. Release of beneficial organisms in the United States and Territories. USDA ARS. www.ars-grin.gov/nigrp/robo.html. 10 September 2012.

Establishment

Established: Yes
Established in Subregion of Country: CA, CO, ID, IA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Established in Subregion specific:

Establishment References:
- Butler, J.L., M.S. Parker, and J.T. Murphy. 2006. Efficacy of flea beetle control of leafy spurge in Montana and South Dakota. Rangeland Ecology & Management 59: 453-461.
- Hansen, R.W., R.D. Richard, P.E. Parker, and L.E. Wendel. 1997. Distribution of Biological Control Agents of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) in the United States: 1988–1996. Biological Control 10(2): 129-142.
- Hansen, R.W., N.R. Spencer, L. Fornasari, P.C. Quimby Jr., R.W. Pemberton, and R.M. Nowierski. 2004. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula (complex). In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco Jr., Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 233-262.
- Lym, R.G. and R.B. Carlson. 2002. Effect of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Genotype on feeding damage and reproduction of Aphthona spp.: implications for biological weed control. Biological Control 23: 127-133.
- Villegas, B. 2010. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. (Euphorbiaceae). In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2009 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California, USA. pp. 57.

Abundance

High

Abundance References:
- Butler, J.L., M.S. Parker, and J.T. Murphy. 2006. Efficacy of flea beetle control of leafy spurge in Montana and South Dakota. Rangeland Ecology & Management 59: 453-461.
- Lym, R.G. and R.B. Carlson. 2002. Effect of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Genotype on feeding damage and reproduction of Aphthona spp.: implications for biological weed control. Biological Control 23: 127-133.
- Roehrdanz, R., D. Olson, G. Fauske, R. Bourchier, A. Cortilet, and S. Sears. 2009. New DNA markers reveal presence of Aphthona species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) believed to have failed to establish after release into leafy spurge. Biological Control 49: 1-5.
- Lym, R.G. 2019. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) control and soil seed bank composition 19 years after release of Aphthona spp. biological control agents. In: H.L. Hinz et al., Eds. Proceedings of the XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 26–31 August 2018, Engelberg, Switzerland. pp. 269–270. https://www.ibiocontrol.org/proceedings/.

Agent Impact

Impact: Heavy
Geographic Scale of impact: Regional
Impact Notes: Does best in loamy soils, can adapt locally to both dry and wet habitats. Along with Aphthona nigriscutis, significantly reducing plant density at local level in most regions. Not effective at all sites.

Impact References:
- Butler, J.L., M.S. Parker, and J.T. Murphy. 2006. Efficacy of flea beetle control of leafy spurge in Montana and South Dakota. Rangeland Ecology & Management 59: 453-461.
- 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.
- Lym, R.G. and R.B. Carlson. 2002. Effect of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Genotype on feeding damage and reproduction of Aphthona spp.: implications for biological weed control. Biological Control 23: 127-133.
- Progar, R.A., G. Markin, D. Scarbrough, C.L. Jorgensen, and T. Barbouletos. 2013. Observational monitoring of biological control vs. herbicide to suppress leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) for eight years. In Y. Wu, T. Johnson, S. Sing, S. Raghu, G. Wheeler, P. Pratt, K. Warner, T. Center, J. Goolsby, and R. Reardon, Eds. Proceedings of the XIII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 11-16 September 2011, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, USA; Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, WV, USA. pp. 417-422.
- Roehrdanz, R., D. Olson, G. Fauske, R. Bourchier, A. Cortilet, and S. Sears. 2009. New DNA markers reveal presence of Aphthona species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) believed to have failed to establish after release into leafy spurge. Biological Control 49: 1-5.
- Villegas, B. 2010. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. (Euphorbiaceae). In D.M. Woods, Ed. Biological Control Program 2009 Annual Summary. California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, Sacramento, California, USA. pp. 57.
- Anderson, J.M., S.A. Willden, D.L. Wright and E.W. Evans. 2015. Long term outcomes of population suppression of leafy spurge by insects in the mountain foothills of northern Utah. The American Midland Naturalist 174(1): 1-13.
- 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.
- Lym, R.G. 2019. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) control and soil seed bank composition 19 years after release of Aphthona spp. biological control agents. In: H.L. Hinz et al., Eds. Proceedings of the XV International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 26–31 August 2018, Engelberg, Switzerland. pp. 269–270. https://www.ibiocontrol.org/proceedings/.

Limiting Factors

Habitat

Limiting Factors References:
- Hansen, R.W., N.R. Spencer, L. Fornasari, P.C. Quimby Jr., R.W. Pemberton, and R.M. Nowierski. 2004. Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula (complex). In E.M. Coombs, J.K. Clark, G.L. Piper, and A.F. Cofrancesco Jr., Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. pp. 233-262.
- Nowierski, R.M. and R.W. Pemberton. 2002. Leafy Spurge. In R. Van Driesche, S. Lyon, B. Blossey, M. Hoddle, and R. Reardon, Eds. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. FHTET-2002-04. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. pp. 181-194.

Other Attack

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

Research Organizations

Oregon State Department of Agriculture, Salem (State (15))
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS)

Notes