Information

Agent

Aphthona nigriscutis Foudras

Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae

Agent 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.
- 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.

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. Hungary via Canada
Year: 1989
Region: North America
Country: United States of America
Subregion of Country: CA, CO, ID, IA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Subregion specific:

Release History: CO MN MT 1989-1994, ID NE WY 1989-1991 1993-1994, IA 1994-1995, MI 1995, NV 1991 1993, NM 1991-1992 1994, ND OR 1989-1993, SD 1989-1992, UT WI 1993-1994, WA 1990-1993 1995; Redistributed in mixture containing Aphthona cyparissiae, A. flava, A. nigriscutis to CO OR ND WY 1989, IA 1992 1994, ID NH RI 1995, NV 1992-1993, NY 1995-1996, SD 1990-1991, UT 1992-1993, WA 1989-1992, WI 1994; Mixture containing A. lacertosa and A. nigriscutis redistributed ND to CA 2001

Release Notes: Released on both Euphorbia cyparissias and E. esula. Aphthona redistributions ongoing in many states utilizing mixture of Aphthona species.

Source Information References:
- 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.
- Pemberton, R.W. 1995. Leafy spurge. In J.R. Nechols, L.A. Andres, J.W. Beardsley, R.D. Goeden, and C.G. Jackson, Eds. Biological Control in the Western United States: Accomplishments and Benefits of Regional Research Project W-84, 1964-1989. Publication 3361. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, California. pp. 289-295.
- 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.

Original Host Species References:
- Gassmann, A., D. Schroeder, E. Maw, and G. Sommer. 1996. Biology, ecology, and host specificity of European Aphthona spp. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) used as biocontrol agents for leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula (Euphorbiaceae), in North America. Biological Control 6: 105-113.

Establishment

Established: Yes
Established in Subregion of Country: 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.
- Lesica, P. and D. Hanna. 2009. Effect of biological control on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and diversity of associated grasslands over 14 years. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2: 151-157.

Abundance

High

Abundance References:
- Baker, J.L., N. Webber, and U. Schaffner. 2013. Long-term control of leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula, by the flea beetle Aphthona nigriscutis. 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. 463.
- 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.
- Lesica, P. and D. Hanna. 2009. Effect of biological control on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and diversity of associated grasslands over 14 years. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2: 151-157.
- 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: Prefers sandy or gravel soil and typically drier sites. Along with Aphthona lacertosa, significantly reducing plant density at local level in most regions. Not effective at all sites. Impact may be hindered by bacterium which causes high mortality in males, resulting in female biased populations.

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.
- Lesica, P. and D. Hanna. 2009. Effect of biological control on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and diversity of associated grasslands over 14 years. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2: 151-157.
- 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.
- 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; Disease

Limiting Factors 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.
- 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.

Other Attack

Were other species attacked?: Yes
Other Species Attacked Notes: Spillover feeding observed on the native Euphorbia robusta (Engelm.); as Euphorbia esula L. density declined, so did feeding on E. robusta and E. robusta populations increased.

Non-Target References:
- Baker, J.L. and N.A.P. Webber. 2008. Feeding impacts of a leafy spurge biological control agent on a native plant, Euphorbia robusta. In M.H. Julien, R. Sforza, M.C. Bon, H.C. Evans, P.E. Hatcher, H.L. Hinz, and B.G. Rector, Eds. Proceedings of the XII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. 22-27 April 2007, La Grande Motte, France; CAB International. pp. 503-506.

Research Organizations

Notes