Studies Of Rich Hansen Rich Hansen: USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Forestry Science Lab, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-0278
Rich Hansen's studies reach far into the APHIS labs and ideals. His main studies are Brachypterolus pulicarius (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), and Dalmatian toadflax Linari dalmatica.Brachypterolus pulicarius was introduced to N. America prior to 1920. B. pulicarius is now widely distributed in the US and Canada on yellow toadflax, but not so much on Dalmatian toadflax.
Brachypterolus pulicarius
Brachypterolus pulicarius adults are black, oval beetles about 2 mm in length and are found feeding on young toadflax shoots and flower buds. Larvae are 1-4 mm long with short legs and are creamy-white in color, these larvae are found within toadflax flowers and developing fruits. The habitat of these insects are grasslands, pastures, agricultural fields, and roadsides infested with yellow or Dalmatian toadflax.yellow toadflax
The adult beetles of this insect will emerge from the soil in the late spring and are found in the mid-summer feeding on young toadflax shoot tips and, maybe, on flower buds. The females will lay their eggs in toadflax flowers. The larvae of this beetle will consume the flowers from within. The winters are spent in the pupil stage. There is one generation a year in the US and Canada, but in some European reports, two generations have been cited.Now the main question remains as the relative effectiveness. The effectiveness of this beetle will reduce toadflax up to 75% immediately, but the long term effects are not yet known. The commercial availability of Brachypterolus pulicarius adults may be readily collected from stands of yellow toadflax throughout much of the northern US and Canada.
Dalmatian toadflax
USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine - Noxious Weeds
APHIS - North Carolina
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Plant Protection and Quarantine - Noxious Weeds
Animal Health Monitoring System Project Reports
By: Jesse, Will, Carson, Zeke. 2001.
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