Leafy Spurge Euphorbia esula L.


Aphthona cyparissiae
(Koch)

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 2 to 3 mm bronze colored, oval shaped
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
G Hot open sites; moist sandy loam; with spurge > 60 cm tall and no bare ground Late June to early July July to freeze up in soil near roots Roots   1 to 2 months In larvae built cell in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Avoid sites that have depressions, north aspects, and bare ground. Larvae need a 4 month cold period to develop.
Larvae -Root minersAdults late June to early JulySweep net
Adults -Young shoots and leaves


Aphthona czwalinae
Weise

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 2.9 to 3.1 mm black
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
P Mesic moisture loam soil. Host plant mixed with other vegetation June to July 1 to 2 weeks after emerging near a soil surface Roots   2 to 4 weeks In larvae built cell in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method A 4 month cold period (<4 degrees C) required to pupate
Larvae -Root minerAdults June to JulySweep net
Adults -Young shoots and leaves

Aphthona flava
Guill.

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 2 to 3 mm orange-brown
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
N Appears to prefer hot temperatures, light shade, moist soil, wide spaced plants July July to freeze up below soil surface near root Roots   2 to 4 weeks In larvae built cell in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Larvae needs a 4 month cold period to further initiate further development
Larvae -Root minerAdults late JulySweep net
Adults -Young shoots and leaves


Aphthona lacertosa
Rosh.

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 3 mm black with light brown femur on hind legs
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
P Widely adaptable. Adapted to mesic-dry to moist conditions. Intolerant of flood June to July June to August into soil near host plant Roots   1 to 2 months In larvae built cell in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Do not collect from area where parasitic protozoan Nosema sp. is present
Larvae -Root minerAdults June to JulySweep net
Adults -Young shoots and leaves


Aphthona nigriscutis
Foundras

DESCRIPTION: Beetle - 2 to 3 mm bronze oval shape black dot on wing cover tip
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
G Hot dry open sites with bunch grasses where flowering spurge is < 50 cm tall June to early July June and July in soil near root Roots   1 to 2 months In larvae built cell in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Larvae require a 4 month cold period to initiate further development.
Larvae -Root minerAdults June to JulySweep net
Adults -Young shoots and leaves


Hyles euphorbiae
(L.)

DESCRIPTION: Moth - 8 cm wing-span; checkered pink, white, and black wings
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
N Warm summers mild winters Spring Spring-on leaves and stems; coincide with bloom Leaves   10 to 14 days Pupae
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Highly susceptible to predation losses from ants.
Larvae -DefoliaterLarvae summer to fallHand pick


Lobesia euphorbiana
(Freyer)

DESCRIPTION: Moth - 9 to 11 mm mottled yellow, brown and reddish brown
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
G Fringe forested areas mesic soil moisture continuous plant growth through growing season. Shade. Near river/lake. Spring Spring and summer, singly on lower leaf surfaces In self-rolled leaf tip (leaf-tie) Late summer to early fall 3 to 7 days Pupae in leaf tie
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method Larvae are solitary and canabalistic
LarvaeTies leaves preventing floweringLarvae (in leaf ties) early to mid summerClip the leaves


Minoa murinata
(Scop.)

DESCRIPTION: Moth - 9.6 mm grey-brown
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
N Cool dry well populated leafy spurge stands June to August   Underside of leaf - may take up to 2 years to mature   15 days Larvae in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method  
Larvae -Consumes leaves and flowerMay to SeptemberAspirate


Spurgia esula
Gagne

DESCRIPTION: Midge - Not known
BACKGROUND LIFE CYCLE
Availability Habitat Adult Emergence Egg Laying Larva Development F1 Adult Life Span Over Winters
N Woodlands Late May to early October May to frost in gall in terminal buds Galls in stem   1 month Larvae in soil
ATTACK COLLECTION NOTES
Stage Damage Life Stage Method  
Larvae -Galls destroy vegatative and flower budsLate May to early October in gallsClip stems


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