Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Control and Soil Seedbank Composition Fifteen Years after Release of Aphthona Biological Control Agents

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake M. Thilmony ◽  
Rodney G. Lym
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Biological Weed Control ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Ecological Sites ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
Soil Seedbank

Aphthona spp. flea beetles were released in two ecological sites of the Little Missouri National Grasslands in southwestern North Dakota in 1999 to control leafy spurge. The change in leafy spurge density and soil seedbank composition was monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the biological weed control agent and the associated change in plant communities 5, 10, and 15 yr after release in loamy overflow (valleys) and loamy sites (ridges). In 2014, 15 yr after release, leafy spurge stem density had decreased 94% from 110 to 7 stems m−2 in the loamy overflow sites and 88% from 78 to 9 stems m−2 in the loamy sites. Leafy spurge represented only 2% and 6% of the loamy overflow and loamy seedbanks in 2004, respectively, compared with nearly 67% and 70%, respectively, in 1999. There was a slow shift to reintroduction of native species into the seedbank over the last 15 yr. The number of desirable species increased to 21 by 2014 (more than three times the number of species in 1999) in the loamy overflow sites, and doubled to 14 species in the loamy sites, while less desirable forb species doubled in both sites. Desirable grass species doubled in the loamy overflow sites by 2014 but remained unchanged in loamy sites. Aphthona spp. successfully controlled leafy spurge for more than 15 yr without any additional control methods or costs to land managers and resulted in the slow return of a subset of native species.

Change in Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Density and Soil Seedbank Composition 10 Years following Release of Aphthona spp. Biological Control Agents

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra M. Setter ◽  
Rodney G. Lym
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Ecological Sites ◽  
Western North Dakota ◽  
Soil Seedbank ◽  
Weedy Species ◽  
Native Species Richness

AbstractFlea beetles (Aphthona spp.) were released in the Little Missouri National Grasslands (LMNG) in western North Dakota in 1999 to control leafy spurge. The changes in leafy spurge density and soil seedbank composition were evaluated on two ecological sites 10 yr (2009) after Aphthona spp. release to monitor the effectiveness of the insects on weed control and the associated changes in plant communities. In 2009, leafy spurge stem density averaged 2 and 9 stems m−2 (0.19 to 0.84 ft−2) in the loamy overflow and loamy sites, respectively, compared with 110 and 78 stems m−2, respectively, in 1999. Leafy spurge constituted nearly 67% of the loamy overflow seedbank in 1999, compared with 2% in 2009. In the loamy seedbank, the weed represented nearly 70% in 1999, compared with approximately 15% in 2009. As leafy spurge abundance was reduced, native species richness and seed count increased 10 yr after Aphthona spp. release. Late seral species represented 17% of the loamy overflow seedbank in 2009, an increase from 5% in 1999. However, Kentucky bluegrass, a nontarget weedy species, increased more than 250% in the loamy overflow seedbank. Late seral species were 38% of the loamy seedbank in 2009, compared with 13% in 1999. The number of native species increased from 31 in 1999 to 39 in 2009 in the loamy overflow seedbank, but only changed from 32 to 34 species in the loamy site during the same period. The reestablishment of native species has been slow, but seedbank analysis indicates the number and type of species found before the leafy spurge infestation have increased. Planting native species in selected areas may have reduced the lag time in these species return to the seedbank and reduced invasion from other nondesirable species, such as Kentucky bluegrass.

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

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankush Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Sheyenne National Grassland

Most management tactics used against leafy spurge are not economical, practical, or efficacious when used alone. Combinations of the biological control agent,Aphthonabeetles, 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/m2when management combined imazapic withAphthonaor interseeding of native grasses.Aphthonabeetles established at the Sheyenne site, but declined as leafy spurge density decreased. However, the remainingAphthonapopulation continued to suppress leafy spurge density. Leafy spurge stem control was successfully maintained for 3 yr byAphthonaand 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, lowerAphthonaemergence was observed in imazapic-treated plots, possibly due to reduced leafy spurge density.

scholarly journals Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Control with Several Grass Species

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Ferrell ◽  
Thomas D. Whitson ◽  
David W. Koch ◽  
A. E. Gade
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Forage Grass ◽  
No Till ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Russian Wildrye

Studies were established near Devil's Tower in Crook County, WY, to determine the potential of 11 grass species to compete with leafy spurge as an alternative to repetitive herbicide treatments. Of the 11 species, ‘Bozoisky’ Russian wildrye and ‘Luna’ pubescent wheatgrass showed the most promise for successful competition with leafy spurge and were selected for further study. Pubescent wheatgrass limited percent canopy cover of leafy spurge to 10 and 15% or less in tilled and no-till plots, respectively, 7 and 10 yr after seeding. Russian wildrye limited percent canopy cover of leafy spurge to 21% or less in tilled and 7 and 27% in the no-till plots, respectively, 7 or 10 yr after seeding. The control plots not seeded to a forage grass averaged 55% leafy spurge canopy cover.

Effect of Aminopyralid on Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) and the Native Plant Community in a Restored Tallgrass Prairie

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis L. Almquist ◽  
Rodney G. Lym
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Cirsium Arvense ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Canada Thistle ◽  
Native Plant Community ◽  
Restored Prairie

AbstractAminopyralid efficacy on Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and potential to injure native species was evaluated in a restored prairie at the Glacial Ridge Preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy in Polk County, MN. Canada thistle stem density was reduced from 17 to 0.1 stems m−2 10 mo after treatment (MAT) with aminopyralid applied in the fall at 120 g ha−1. Aminopyralid also altered the composition of both Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities. Aminopyralid controlled Canada thistle and removed or reduced several undesirable forb species from the restored prairie communities, such as absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis). A number of high seral forbs were also reduced or removed by aminopyralid, including maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) and purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea). Foliar cover of high seral forbs in the native plant community was reduced from 12.2 to 7% 22 MAT. The cover of high seral grass species, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) increased after aminopyralid application in both the Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities and averaged 41.4% cover compared with only 19.4% before removal of Canada thistle. Species richness, evenness, and diversity were reduced after aminopyralid application in both Canada thistle–infested and native plant communities. However, the benefits of Canada thistle control, removal of undesirable species, and the increase in native grass cover should lead to an overall improvement in the long-term stability and composition of the restored prairie plant community, which likely outweigh the short-term effects of a Canada thistle control program.

AnAlternariasp. on Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Weed Science ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Krupinsky ◽  
Russell J. Lorenz
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
Representative Strain

In 1979 and 1980, isolates ofAlternariawere obtained from diseased leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) plants. The pathogenicity of anAlternariasp. towards leafy spurge was demonstrated in glasshouse and limited field studies, and theAlternariais considered to be a potential biological - control agent for leafy spurge. The pathogenicity and cultural characteristics of the fungus suggest its classification asA. tenuissimaf. sp.euphorbiae,with isolate Krupinsky 80-3547ss4 (= E. G. Simmons 35-079) as a representative strain.

Population Dynamics and Impacts of the Red-Headed Leafy Spurge Stem Borer on Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Progar ◽  
George Markin ◽  
Joseph Milan ◽  
Tom Barbouletos ◽  
Matthew J. Rinella
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
And Control

AbstractWe evaluated the efficacy of the biological control agent, red-headed leafy spurge stem borer, against the nonnative invasive plant leafy spurge. Our three treatments were release of the biological control agent into uncaged plots, release of the biological control agent into plots caged to prevent agent escape, and control plots caged to prevent agent entry. These treatments were replicated three times at six sites in the western United States. We measured leafy spurge biomass for 1 or 2 yr following release. We also measured the percentage of leafy spurge stems showing evidence of red-headed leafy spurge stem borer oviposition for either 1 or 2 yr following agent release, depending on the site. Red-headed leafy spurge stem borer did not demonstrably reduce leafy spurge biomass in our study. Moreover, compared to the release year, evidence of red-headed leafy spurge stem borer oviposition declined with time, suggesting the agent population was diminishing. This suggests the agent is incapable of building large populations capable of controlling leafy spurge at the sites we studied. However, after being released, populations of biological control agents sometimes go through long lag phases and then begin rapid population increases, so we cannot completely dismiss the possibility that red-headed leafy spurge stem borer might become effective given more time.

scholarly journals Utilization of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) by Sheep

Weed Science ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara K. Landgraf ◽  
Peter K. Fay ◽  
Kris M. Havstad
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Grazing Behavior

The forage selection and grazing behavior of sheep in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L. ♯3 EPHES)-infested pastures was examined in a 3-month grazing study conducted during the summer, 1981. No definite preference for or avoidance of leafy spurge was detected. An initial 1- to 3-week avoidance was observed, followed by a steady increase in leafy spurge consumption. A maximum intake of 40 to 50% of the diet per animal was observed. Weight gain by ewes in pastures infested with leafy spurge was not significantly different from weight gain by ewes in pastures free of leafy spurge. Results from these studies indicate that leafy spurge may be classified as a forage for sheep. Sheep will consume a significant amount of vegetation while suffering neither harmful internal effects nor a significant loss of body weight. Sheep can be considered an effective biological control agent for leafy spurge.

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