Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
A spurge stem almost completely killed by mostly black colored adult flea beetle damage. Note the many dead spurge stems in the background. Photo by Todd Breitenfeldt
There are 6 species of flea beetles approved for release on leafy spurge. They are: Aphthona abdominalis
Aphthona cyparissiae
Aphthona czwalinae
Aphthona flava
Aphthona lacertosa
Aphthona nigrascutis
They are a very small beetle with a back "hopping" leg somewhat like a grasshopper. Some of these species are black, and some are coppery brown. The adults emerge from the soil from mid-June to mid-July in Montana. Adult feeding creates many holes and chewed edges on spurge leaves. They make an attractant pheromone (a chemical scent signal) that caused them to stay together in an area. The adults...
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