关键词:
Euphorbia esula
Euphorbia cyparissias
Aphthona cyparissiae
Aphthona flava
Aphthona nigriscutis
Aphthona czwalinai
Aphthona lacertosa
Chrysomelidae
life history
host range
leafy spurge
weeds
biological control
摘要:
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) is an herbaceous perennial of European origin that was accidentally introduced into North America where it has become a serious weed in pastures and rangelands. Five species of root-feeding chrysomelid beetles in the genus Aphthona have been released in North America for the biological control of leafy spurge. They originate from central and eastern Europe and occur in different habitats. The brown species, Aphthona cyparissiae, Aphthona flava, and Aphthona nigriscutis, occur predominantly in open dry habitats, and the black species, Aphthona czwalinai and Aphthona lacertosa, prefer moister habitats. All five species are univoltine and overwinter as larvae. The host range of these five Aphthona species is restricted to species in the subgenus Esula. (C) 1996 Academic Press,Inc.