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Title: A NEW BIOCONTROL AGENT, THE STEM FEEDER BEETLE THAMNURGUS EUPHORBIAE KUSTER(COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) FROM ITALY TO CONTROL LEAFY SPURGE IN THE U.S.

Author
item CAMPOBASSO, G - USDA, EBCL, ROME, ITALY
item TERRAGITTI, G - USDA, EBCL, ROME, ITALY
item CRISTOFARO, M - USDA, EBCL, ROME, ITALY
item Spencer, Neal
item Mann, Kimberly - Kim

Submitted to: International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2002
Publication Date: 12/1/2000
Citation: CAMPOBASSO, G., TERRAGITTI, G., CRISTOFARO, M., SPENCER, N.R., MANN, K.D. A NEW BIOCONTROL AGENT, THE STEM FEEDER BEETLE THAMNURGUS EUPHORBIAE KUSTER(COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) FROM ITALY TO CONTROL LEAFY SPURGE IN THE U.S. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS. 2000. p. 133.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Thamnurgus euphorbiae Kuster (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), a univoltine stem feeder recorded from Euphorbia characias L. in Italy, was selected as a candidate for biological control of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) in North America. Its potential host range was studied at the USDA-ARS-EBCL Rome laboratory from 1992 to 1998. Of 40 plant species or varieties in 13 families tested, the beetle oviposited on and completed its life cycle onl on plants in the subgenus Esula of the genus Euphorbia. Six North American Euphorbia species, including E. incisa and E. robusta, trees in the families Pinaceae and Ulmaceae were also tested against T. euphorbiae and none of them received damage or eggs. The restricted host range suggests use of this beetle as a biological control agent against leafy spurge in North America and therefore, release in the field is proposed. A petition of introduction was prepared and submitted to the Technical Advisory Group to introduce and release this beetle in the U.S.