Agrilus hyperici

(Creutzer, 1799)

St. John's wort root borer

Agrilus hyperici is a ( ) used as a agent against the weed Hypericum perforatum (common St. John's wort). to Europe, it was first to the United States in 1950 and is now established in the northwestern United States and Australia. The is notable for its root-boring larval stage that typically kills plants.

Agrilus hyperici by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Agrilus.hyperici.-.calwer.24.13 by Emil Hochdanz . Used under a Public domain license.Agrilus hyperici (Creutzer, 1799) by URSchmidt. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agrilus hyperici: //ˈæɡrɪləs ˌhaɪˈpɛrɪkaɪ//

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Habitat

Associated with stands of Hypericum perforatum; established in mountainous areas of the northwestern United States and in Australia.

Distribution

to Europe; and established in the northwestern United States (especially mountainous areas) and Australia.

Seasonality

active in July and August; females during this period.

Diet

feed on root tissue of Hypericum perforatum for approximately one year; has been observed to attack Hypericum concinnum (goldwire) in California but without destructive impact.

Host Associations

  • Hypericum perforatum - larval primary ; root tissue consumed
  • Hypericum concinnum - larval attacked in California but without significant impact

Life Cycle

Females low on stems in July and August. emerge and migrate to roots, where they feed for approximately one year. occurs within root remnants. Few plants survive attack.

Ecological Role

agent for Hypericum perforatum; larval feeding typically results in death.

Human Relevance

Intentionally to the United States in 1950 for of St. John's wort, a noxious weed and .

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Sources and further reading