Bio-agent Collection Cyphocleonus: hand pick, sweep net Agapeta: hand pick, sweep net, vac Larinus: sweep net + asperator or pump Aphthona: sweep net + accelerator Oberea: sweep net + hand pick from net.

Cyphocleonus achates – Root Boring Weevil  Adults emerge Aug./Sept.  Lay eggs on root crown  Larvae bore into root  Over winter as larvae in root  Feeding in taproot and exit hole cause damage  Pupate in early summer  Emerge and do it all again  Do not fly  ,000+/yr..

Cyphocleonus achates knapweed root boring weevil

Agapeta zoegana - root boring moth Biology:  Adults emerge spring/summer  Lay eggs on lower stem  Larvae hatch, mine down stem into the root  Larvae over winter in root  Pupate in soil early/late spring  Larvae can move a short distance through soil to a new plant if theirs dies  Adults disperse by flying  Collected 2,950 in 2007!

Larinus minutus Biology: Over winters as adult weevil! Adults gather at knapweed plants when flower buds appear Females lay one egg per flower Larvae soon hatch and consume seeds (that is a good thing!!) Pupate in destroyed flower Emerge as adult in late summer Fly away and over winter Strong flier, readily disperses Great one-two punch with root borers!!

Larinus Collections

Aphthona – leafy spurge flea beetles  Adults emerge from soil early/mid summer  Release pheromone, stay together  Adults feed on spurge leaves, high #’s can damage plants  Scatter eggs on soil around spurge plants  Larvae soon hatch, feed on root hairs  Major effect: larval root feeding  Larvae feed all fall, winter & spring  Pupate in soil in late spring  Becoming very successful bio-agent!  Can hop & fly, we need to disperse them…

Pheromones: chemical scent signals

Aphthona Photos

Aphthona Collection

Leafy spurge flea beetle collection

Flea Beetle “Bomb Shell” Effect -stay together and spread outwards from initial release site causing larger area of damage each year. -flea beetles release attractant pheromone