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Integrating Flea Beetles (Aphthona spp.) with Herbicide and Grasses for Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia Esula) Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Ankush Joshi
Ankush Joshi*
Affiliation:
Entomology Dept, Hultz Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105
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Abstract

Most management tactics used against leafy spurge are not economical, practical, or efficacious when used alone. Combinations of the biological control agent, Aphthona beetles, the herbicide imazapic (105 g/ha), and interseeded native grass species were evaluated for leafy spurge management at two sites: Sheyenne National Grassland and Ekre Grassland Preserve in North Dakota during 2001 to 2005. At the Sheyenne site, over a 5-yr study period, leafy spurge was reestablishing its stem density after a single application of imazapic, but stand suppression was maintained to < 11 stems/m2 when management combined imazapic with Aphthona or interseeding of native grasses. Aphthona beetles established at the Sheyenne site, but declined as leafy spurge density decreased. However, the remaining Aphthona population continued to suppress leafy spurge density. Leafy spurge stem control was successfully maintained for 3 yr by Aphthona and grass competition without repetition of the imazapic treatment. Leafy spurge root dry weights were reduced by 66% (< 111g/m2) in the insect plots during this period. At the Ekre site, similar results were observed for the first 3 yr. However, in the fourth yr, a failure of biological control agents to establish resulted in the resurgence of leafy spurge. During this study, lower Aphthona emergence was observed in imazapic-treated plots, possibly due to reduced leafy spurge density.

Keywords

Imazapicleafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. (Euphorbiaceae)flea beetles, Aphthona spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)Biocontrolclassical biocontrolcombined practicesgrass competitioninsectsintegrated weed management
Type
Weed Management — Techniques
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , September 2008 , pp. 523 - 529
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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