Information

Agent

Aphthona flava Guillebeau

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. Italy & Hungary
Year: 1985
Region: North America
Country: United States of America
Subregion of Country: CO, ID, IA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, WA, WI, WY
Subregion specific:

Release History: CO IA NV WY 1992-1993, ID ND 1986 1990 1992-1994, MI 1994, MN 1991-1994, MT 1985-1994, NE OR 1989-1990 1992-1993, NM 1993, RI 1996, SD 1988 1990 1992-1993, UT 1991 1994, WA 1990 1992, WI 1992-1994; 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. czwalinai, A. lacertosa, and A. flava redistributed within NY 2000

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

Source Information 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pemberton, R.W. and N.E. Rees. 1990. Host specificity and establishment of Aphthona flava Guill. (Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) in the United States. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 92: 351-357.
- 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.

Original Host Species

Euphorbia cyparissias L., Euphorbia esula L.

Original Host Species References:
- 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.

Establishment

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

Establishment References:
- 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.
- 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.

Abundance

Limited

Abundance 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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: Slight
Geographic Scale of impact: Widespread throughout range
Impact Notes: Best suited to mesic-to-dry habitats, in alluvial soils above flood lines, and light shade. Probably less likely to survive low temperatures than other Aphthona spp. In one area in MT its effect reportedly spectacular, but overall is much less abundant than other Aphthona spp.; persists at fairly low levels with little noticeable impact on infestations.

Impact 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. 2012. Biological control of weeds in Oregon. Annual Report 2012. Oregon Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control Program, Salem, Oregon, USA. 35 pp.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

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.

Other Attack

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

Research Organizations

University of North Dakota, Fargo (State (11))
University of Wyoming, Laramie (State (13))
Oregon State Department of Agriculture, Salem (State (15))
University of Idaho (State (6))
Montana State University (State (7))
Washington State University (State (9))
Bozeman, Montana (USDA (10))
Rome, Italy (USDA (12))
Albany, California (USDA (7))
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS)

Notes