1998 ESA North Central Branch Meeting Abstract
71 EFFECTS OF PRESCRIBED FIRE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT AND VIABILITY OF APHTHONA NIGRISCUTIS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF LEAFY SPURGE. D. P. Fellows and W. E. Newton, U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
Use of biological agents to control invasive plant species is especially suited for use in grasslands dedicated to wildlife conservation, but requires compatibility between biocontrol agents and grassland management techniques. Small plot tests were used to evaluate: 1) the ability of Aphthona nigriscutis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a flea beetle approved for biocontrol of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), to survive prescribed fire, and 2) the effect of prerelease burning on establishment of A. nigriscutis colonies. Established colonies appeared unaffected by October and May burns. Burning in either fall or spring preceding beetle release enhanced establishment of
colonies, possibly due to litter reduction and baring of the soil surface. However, most colonies established with the aid of fire did not survive past the first generation unless the habitat was otherwise suitable for the species, and we conclude that the primary benefit of prerelease burning would be to increase recruitment during the first few generations. Both spring and fall burns resulted in an increase in leafy spurge stem density during the first growing season, but by the second growing season stem density declined to the preburn level.
This paper will be presented on Monday.
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