Biological Control

 

 Leafy Spurge flea beetle

 
Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle 

 

Certain noxious weeds can be controlled with the use of biological control agents, specific organisms which attack the weeds and kill the plants.  The Leafy spurge flea beetle is an excellent example of a successful biological control agent.  The introduction of the Leafy spurge flea beetle (Aphthona ssp.) has reduced infestations of Leafy spurge and is working to help check the expansion of Leafy spurge.  The LS flea beetle feeds and lays its eggs on Leafy spurge and does not attack any crops or other plants.

Various biological agents have been introduced and released for nearly all of North Dakota's noxious weeds.