Aphthona lacertosa

Adults cannot be distinguished from Aphthona czwalinae in the field; both appear as small black flea beetles. Definitive identification requires examination of microscopic characters or genetic analysis. Presence in wet leafy spurge habitats in the Canadian prairies may suggest this species over other Aphthona biocontrol agents, which are typically associated with drier sites.

Adults are black flea beetles. Field identification to species is not possible based on external morphology alone due to similarity with congeners.

Wet habitats with leafy spurge infestations, including riparian areas and wetlands where herbicide application is restricted or ineffective. Native range habitats in Eurasia are not well documented in available sources.

Native to Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China). Introduced and established in North America: specifically in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. First released in North America in 1990, with wider distribution beginning in 1997.

Larvae feed on roots of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). Adult feeding habits are not explicitly documented in available sources.

• Euphorbia esula - larval food plantleafy spurge; target of biocontrol introduction

Larvae are the primary damaging stage, feeding on roots and causing plant mortality. Specific details on egg, pupal, and adult longevity stages are not documented in available sources.

Biological control agent for invasive leafy spurge, reducing plant populations in wet habitats where other control methods are ineffective. Success has been correlated with temperature degree days at release sites.

Intentionally introduced to North America for classical biological control of leafy spurge, an invasive plant that degrades pasture quality and natural habitats. Used specifically in wet habitats of the Canadian prairies where previous biocontrol efforts with other Aphthona species had failed.

• Aphthona czwalinaeAdults are morphologically indistinguishable in the field; both are small black flea beetles used for leafy spurge biocontrol. Microscopic examination required for separation.
• Other Aphthona biocontrol speciesMultiple Aphthona species have been released for leafy spurge control; A. lacertosa is specifically associated with wetter habitats, whereas congeners such as A. nigriscutis and A. cyparissiae prefer drier sites.

• biological control
• invasive species management
• Chrysomelidae
• flea beetle
• leafy spurge
• wetland

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy