Attack behavior and host utilization of Aphthona chinchihi (Col.: Chrysomelidae), a potential biological control agent of Euphorbia esula (Euphorbiaceae, leafy spurge) in North America.

摘要

Aphthona chinchihi was collected in China feeding on leafy spurge Euphorbia esula. Studies were conducted on its host specificity in the laboratory, using field collected adults and their progeny. A. chinchihi can effectively complement the impact of the other natural enemies of leafy spurge established from Europe in the USA and Canada. The adults feed on leaves and shoots and the larvae, which cause the main damage to the plant, feed on the hypogeous portion of the plant, seriously stressing theplant and preventing its vegetative spread. The host range of A. chinchihi was studied with tests on adult feeding and oviposition, larval survival and host suitability, using 40 plant species or varieties distributed in 12 families. The experiments demonstrated that it has a high level of specificity. This flea beetle completed its life cycle only on leafy spurge. Also, because of its ecological valence, A. chinchihi has a very good potential as a biocontrol agent in North America.