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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Agricultural Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #133487
Title: Relationships among edaphic, climatic and vegetation conditions at release sites and Aphthona nigriscutis population density

Author
item JACOBS, J - MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
item SHELEY, R - MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Spencer, Neal
item Anderson, Gerald

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2001
Publication Date: 9/15/2001
Citation: Jacobs, J.S., Sheley, R.L., Spencer, N.R., Anderson, G.L. 2001. Relationships among edaphic, climatic and vegetation conditions at release sites and Aphthona nigriscutis population density. Biological Control. 22:46-50.

Interpretive Summary: Biological control of leafy spurge using Aphthona nigriscutis has proven to be excellent in some areas and very poor in others. This paper looks at how climate, soils and plant composition influence the effectiveness of A. nigriscutis in controlling leafy spurge infestations. Precipitation seemed to be important in influencing flea beetle density. Flea beetle densities increased as precipitation increased. This may simply be an indirect measure of areas where leafy spurge rooting depth is shallow; thus increasing the likelihood the beetle will successfully complete its life cycle. In addition, fewer reproductive leafy spurge stems associated with A. nigriscutis confirm observations that biological control agents may be important in reducing leafy spurge seed production and population spread. This information may aid in site selection for release of this important biological control agent or in creating conditions for optimum establishment.

Technical Abstract: The role of site conditions on the success of leafy spurge control by Aphthona nigriscutis is poorly understood. Our objective was to determine the relationships among the climatic and edaphic conditions of A. nigriscutis release sites, A. nigriscutis population density, leafy spurge cover and density, and grass cover. We sampled 13 field sites in eastern Montana where A. nigriscutis had been established for 6 to 8 years. Sampling was done in June and July of 1998 along a randomly determined transect from the center of each release point to densely infested leafy spurge. Data were analyzed by step-down regression procedures using A. nigriscutis density, leafy spurge cover and density, cover of grass, forbs, litter, and bare ground as the dependent variables. Independent variables included vegetative and insect data sampled as well as site conditions. Average annual precipitation was the only edaphic or climatic site characteristic that influenced A. nigriscutis density; the beetle population density increased as precipitation increased. There was a negative association between A. nigriscutis and number of leafy spurge flowering stems and leafy spurge cover. Grass, litter, and bare ground cover increased as A. nigriscutis numbers increased. Within the range of site conditions sampled in this study, successful establishment and population expansion of A. nigriscutis appears to be related to the cover of leafy spurge, grass, forbs other than leafy spurge, litter, and bare ground. This information may aid in site selection for release of this important biological control agent or in creating conditions for optimum establishment.