Distribution of Biological Control Agents of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) in the United States: 1988–1996

Hansen, Richard W.; Richard, R. D.; Parker, P. E.; Wendel, Lloyd E.

doi:10.1006/bcon.1997.0561

Cited by 42 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the northern Great Plains began in the late 1980s (Hansen et al, 1997) and is generally considered successful by both private landowners and public land managers (Hodur et al, 2006). There are three species of Aphthona in eastern North Dakota, where our studies were conducted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term dynamics of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and its biocontrol agent, flea beetles in the genus Aphthona

Larson¹,

Grace²,

Larson³

2008

Biological Control

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a b s t r a c tThree flea beetle species (Aphthona spp.), first introduced into North America in 1988, have come to be regarded as effective biological control organisms for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). The black flea beetles (Aphthona lacertosa and A. czwalinae) in particular have been shown to cause reductions in leafy spurge stem counts in the northern Great Plains, while the brown flea beetle (A. nigriscutis) has persisted and spread, but has not been found to be as effective at controlling leafy spurge. The ability of black flea beetles to control leafy spurge in any given year, however, has been found to vary. To better understand the long-term effects of flea beetle herbivory on leafy spurge, we monitored stem counts of leafy spurge and numbers of black and brown flea beetles at three sites on two National Wildlife Refuges in east-central North Dakota, USA, from 1998 to 2006. Brown flea beetle numbers were observed to be negligible on these sites. Over the 9 years of the study, black flea beetles were seen to spread over the three study sites and leafy spurge stem counts declined substantially on two of the three sites. Even at low densities of spurge, black flea beetle populations persisted, a necessary prerequisite for long-term control. We used structural equation models (SEM) to assess the yearly effects of black flea beetles, soil texture, and refuge site on leafy spurge stem counts over this time period. We then used equations developed from the SEM analysis to explore flea beetle-leafy spurge dynamics over time, after controlling for soil texture and refuge. Yearly effect strength of black flea beetles on leafy spurge was found to be modest, largely owing to substantial spatial variability in control. However, simulation results based on prediction coefficients revealed leafy spurge to be highly responsive to increases in flea beetle populations on average.Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term dynamics of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and its biocontrol agent, flea beetles in the genus Aphthona

Larson¹,

Grace²,

Larson³

2008

Biological Control

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“…(flea beetles; Chrysomelidae), especially Aphthona lacertosa Rosenberg and Aphthona nigriscutis Foudras. These univoltine specialists were imported from Eurasia in the early 1980s (Hansen et al, 1997) and require leafy spurge to complete their life cycle (Gassmann et al, 1996). Adults feed on leaves and flowers, but damage is believed to be inflicted primarily by larvae, which burrow into roots, possibly disrupting nutrient flow and providing access points for fungal pathogens (Caesar, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-term disruption of a leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) biocontrol program following herbicide application

Larson¹,

Grace²,

Rabie

et al. 2007

Biological Control

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Integrated pest management (IPM) for invasive plant species is being advocated by researchers and implemented by land managers, but few studies have evaluated the success of IPM programs in natural areas. We assessed the relative effects of components of an IPM program for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), an invasive plant, at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. Effects of herbicides on leafy spurge abundance and on dynamics of flea beetles (Aphthona spp.) used to control leafy spurge were evaluated over three field seasons following herbicide application. We monitored leafy spurge-infested plots with established flea beetle populations that had received picloram plus 2,4-D in September 1997 or 1998, imazapic in September 1998, versus those with no chemical treatment. Mature stem counts did not differ significantly between treated and untreated plots in 2001, suggesting that leafy spurge stands had recovered from herbicide treatment. Flea beetles were less abundant on plots with a history of herbicide treatment. Structural equation models indicated that in 2000 negative correlations between relative abundances of the two flea beetle species were greater on plots that had received herbicide treatments than on those that had not, but by 2001 no differences were apparent between treated and untreated plots. These results suggest that the most effective component of IPM for leafy spurge at this site is biological control. All herbicide effects we observed were short-lived, but the increased negative correlation between flea beetle relative abundances during 2000 implies that herbicide application may have temporarily disrupted an effective biological control program at this site.

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“…Efforts to collect biological control agents from the initial release sites and transplant them to other locations intensified during the 1990s (Kirby et al 2000;Lym and Nelson 2002;Larson and Grace 2004). Numerous local and state government entities, federal and state land management agencies, and individual landowners were active partners in this effort (Hansen et al 1997;Lym 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Control of Leafy Spurge: Utilization and Implementation

Hodur¹,

Leistritz²,

Bangsund³

2006

REM

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Leafy spurge is an exotic, noxious, perennial weed which is widely established in the north central United States and is an especially serious problem in the northern Great Plains. In 1997, the Agricultural Research Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, initiated a major Integrated Pest Management (IPM) research and demonstration project, The Ecological Area-wide Management (TEAM) Leafy Spurge (TLS), to develop and demonstrate ecologically based IPM strategies that can produce effective, affordable leafy spurge control. A key component of the TLS project was expanding the use of biological control agents. To assess the level of insect utilization and implementation and the level of current and perceived future control of leafy spurge as a result of biological control agents, a mail survey of 468 individuals that obtained biological control agents (insects) at TLS-sponsored events and of all the county weed boards in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming was conducted. Forty-six percent of the landowner/land managers and 70% of the county weed boards responded to the questionnaire. Respondents reported basic information about the number and characteristics of release sites, and characteristics of the leafy spurge stands, as well as the level of control to date and perceived level of eventual control.

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Distribution of Biological Control Agents of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) in the United States: 1988–1996

Cited by 42 publications

References 15 publications

Long-term dynamics of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and its biocontrol agent, flea beetles in the genus Aphthona

Long-term dynamics of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and its biocontrol agent, flea beetles in the genus Aphthona

Short-term disruption of a leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) biocontrol program following herbicide application

Biological Control of Leafy Spurge: Utilization and Implementation

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