Aphthona cyparissiae
Encyclopedia
Aphthona cyparissiae is a species of leaf beetle
known as the brown dot leafy spurge flea beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control
against the noxious weed leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).
The adult beetle is light golden brown and about 3 millimeters long. The female lays eggs on or near leafy spurge, its host plant, during the summer months. The white larva
emerges in about two weeks and feeds on the roots and root hairs
. It is active through the fall and winter until the cold stimulates it to pupa
te. It burrows into the soil to undergo a three-week pupation. Damage to the plant occurs when the larva eats the roots and the adult feeds on the leaves and flowers. Heavy beetle activity kills the plant. This beetle is a spurge specialist, preferring cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) in its native range and readily attacking leafy spurge as its first alternate.
This beetle is native to Europe. It was first released as a biocontrol agent for leafy spurge in the United States in Fremont County, Wyoming in 1986. It is now established in much of the northern United States from Washington to Rhode Island
, though it is now scarce in North Dakota and Minnesota. It is still the dominant Aphthona
species at some release sites in Manitoba.
Leaf beetle
Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles. This is a family of over 35,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families....
known as the brown dot leafy spurge flea beetle. It is used as an agent of biological pest control
Biological pest control
Biological control of pests in agriculture is a method of controlling pests that relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms...
against the noxious weed leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).
The adult beetle is light golden brown and about 3 millimeters long. The female lays eggs on or near leafy spurge, its host plant, during the summer months. The white larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
emerges in about two weeks and feeds on the roots and root hairs
Trichome
Trichomes are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants and certain protists. These are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae.- Algal trichomes :...
. It is active through the fall and winter until the cold stimulates it to pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
te. It burrows into the soil to undergo a three-week pupation. Damage to the plant occurs when the larva eats the roots and the adult feeds on the leaves and flowers. Heavy beetle activity kills the plant. This beetle is a spurge specialist, preferring cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) in its native range and readily attacking leafy spurge as its first alternate.
This beetle is native to Europe. It was first released as a biocontrol agent for leafy spurge in the United States in Fremont County, Wyoming in 1986. It is now established in much of the northern United States from Washington to Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, though it is now scarce in North Dakota and Minnesota. It is still the dominant Aphthona
Aphthona
Aphthona is a genus of beetle, in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and Asia. More specifically, Aphthona are flea beetles, meaning they have enlarged hind legs for jumping away from potential danger....
species at some release sites in Manitoba.