Preventing and Managing Invasive Plants Final Environmental Impact Statement April 2005

Appendix H - Status of Biological Controls in the Pacific Northwest Region

Weed Control Agent Agent Type Status

bull thistle Urophora stylata FLY Widespread in western Oregon with gaps, not 

successfully established in eastern Oregon

Canada thistle Altica carduorum BEETLE Not approved

Canada thistle Cassida rubiginosa BEETLE Not approved

Canada thistle Ceutorhynchus litura BEETLE Spotty distribution, not demonstrated effective

Canada thistle Larinus planus BEETLE Not approved, known on Cirsium calolepsis on 

westside

Canada thistle Urophora cardui FLY Widespread with possible gaps, may move within 

a few miles, limited effectiveness, prefers high 

humidity

Canada thistle, Italian 

thistle

Rhinocyllus conicus BEETLE Attacks natives, no longer used, widespread

common mullein Gymnetron tetrum BEETLE Not approved

Dalmatian toadflax Brachypterolus pulicarius BEETLE Not approved, widespread, ineffective

Dalmatian toadflax Calophasia lunula MOTH Widespread near Spokane, ineffective, not 

successfully established in Oregon

Dalmatian toadflax Gymnetron antirrhini BEETLE Biotype approved. Introduced in Washington and 

Montana, FS may redistribute.

Dalmatian toadflax Gymnetron linariae BEETLE Recent release, not yet established, FS may 

redistribute

Dalmatian toadflax Mecinus janthinus BEETLE Recent release, limited distribution, FS may 

redistribute

Diffuse knapweed Aceria centaureae MITE Not approved

Diffuse knapweed Sphenoptera jugoslavica BEETLE Very widespread, effective

Field bindweed Aceria malherbae MITE Established in isolated sites. Unlikely on USFS 

forest lands, generally doesn't do well in R6

Field bindweed Tyta luctuosa MOTH Recent releases, not established, unlikely on FS 

land. Difficult to establish, not recovered

gorse Agonopterix nervosa MOTH Not approved

gorse Exapion ulicis BEETLE Widespread in western Oregon and Washington, 

all gorse

gorse Tetranychus lintearius MITE Widespread in western Oregon and Washington, 

now attacked by the accidental release of 

predatory mites from the nursery/greenhouse 

industry.

Italian thistle, 

slenderflower thistle

Cheilosia corydon FLY Widespread in southwest Oregon, may impact 

nontargets

knapweeds Pythium rostratum FUNGUS Not approved

knapweeds Agapeta zoegana MOTH Widespread with possible gaps

Knapweeds Bangasternus fausti BEETLE Widespread, hot & dry is best

Knapweeds Larinus minutus BEETLE Widespread, may need minor redistribution within 

a few miles

Knapweeds Larinus obtusus BEETLE Limited distribution, priority on meadows in eastern 

Oregon, FS may redistribute.

Knapweed Pelochrista medullana MOTH Just released, difficult to establish,imminent use 

unlikely

Knapweeds Pterolonche inspersa MOTH Isolated sites, Larinus extinguished near Mosier

knapweeds Urophora affinis FLY Widespread

knapweeds Urophora quadrifasciata FLY Widespread

leafy spurge Aphthona abdominalis BEETLE Failed, never recovered in US

leafy spurge Aphthona cyparissiae BEETLE Widespread, less effective than A.lacertosa

leafy spurge Aphthona czwalinae BEETLE Widespread, less effective than A.lacertosa

leafy spurge Aphthona flava BEETLE Well distributed, spotty establishment

leafy spurge Aphthona lacertosa BEETLE Widespread, most effective

leafy spurge Aphthona nigriscutis BEETLE Widespread, may need minor redistribution within 

a few miles

leafy spurge Chamaesphecia crassicornis MOTH Failed introduction into the US. It is unlikely to be 

reintroduced.

leafy spurge Chamaesphecia hungarica MOTH Possible for future introductions 

leafy spurge Hyles euphorbiae MOTH Numerous introductions have failed. It is unlikely to 

be reintroduced

leafy spurge Oberea erythrocephala BEETLE Limited distribution

Appendix H-1
Preventing and Managing Invasive Plants Final Environmental Impact Statement April 2005

Appendix H - Status of Biological Controls in the Pacific Northwest Region

Weed Control Agent Agent Type Status

leafy spurge Spurgia esula FLY Introduction failed, ineffective, parasitized

Mediterranean sage Phrydiuchis spilmani BEETLE Introduction in the US failed. It is unlikely to be 

reintroduced.

Mediterranean sage Phrydiuchus tau BEETLE Widespread. May need minor redistribution if 

Mediterranean sage becomes established around 

John Day.

musk thistle Psylliodes chalcomera BEETLE Approved. Future introductions are possible

musk thistle Puccina carduorum FUNGUS Known established in California and Wyoming and 

several eastern states, probably throughout musk 

thistle distribution; reduces seed production.

musk thistle Trichosirocalus horridus BEETLE Introduced everywhere. Only established near 

Klamath River, possible impact on native plants.

musk thistle Urophora solstitialis FLY Recent release, not established in US, difficult to 

establish, FS may distribute

poison hemlock Agonopterix alstroemeriana MOTH Not approved

puncturevine Microlarinus lareynii BEETLE Established only in isolated sites, too cold in R6, 

only use is inundative

puncturevine Microlarinus lypriformis BEETLE Introductions failed, too cold in R6

purple loosestrife Galerucella calmariensis BEETLE Widespread,effective, spreads well, FS may want 

to distribute

purple loosestrife Galerucella pusilla BEETLE Widespread, effective, spreads well, FS may want 

to distribute

purple loosestrife Hylobius transversovittatus BEETLE Spotty establishment, expensive to rear and 

collect

purple loosestrife Nanophyes brevis BEETLE Not approved, not introduced in US

purple loosestrife Nanophyes marmoratus BEETLE Widespread,effective, thousands per plant

Rush skeletonweed Bradyrrhoa gilveolella MOTH Recent US release, not yet established, not in R6, 

FS will want to distribute once available

Rush skeletonweed Cystiphora schmidti FLY Widespread, ineffective due to parasitism

Rush skeletonweed Eriophyes chondrillae MITE Very widespread, found on isolated plants, no 

need to distribute

Rush skeletonweed Puccinia chondrillina FUNGUS Widespread, little effect on Oregon late-flowering 

biotype

Russian knapweed Subangiuna picridis NEMATODE Isolated sites, need better dissemination; difficult 

to establish and ineffective

Russian thistle Coleophora klimeschiella MOTH Widespread, moves on own

Russian thistle Coleophora parthenica MOTH Widespread, moves on own

Scotch broom Exapion fuscirostre BEETLE Widespread in western Oregon and Washington, 

moderate effect, 50% of seeds damaged

Scotch broom Leucoptera spartifoliella MOTH Widespread

Scotch broom Selenophoma juncea FUNGUS Not approved, widespread, no longer used, nontarget effects

Scotch broom,maybe 

French

Bruchidius villosus BEETLE Recently introduced. Very limited availability in 

western Oregon and Washington. Accidental 

introduction in the Carolinas. Oregon wrote a 

petition and tested in Oregon and Washington. 

FS may distribute.

Spartina anglica Prokelisia marginata PLANTHOPPER Approved. Native to San Francisco Bay. Not 

necessary on FS lands

spotted knapweed Chaetorellia acrolophi FLY Spotty distribution in Lane and Hood River 

Counties. FS may redistribute.

spotted knapweed Cyphocleonus achates BEETLE Prefers long stems, monocultured stands, and 

low,hot,dry,gravel pits. Appears effective, FS may 

distribute

Spotted knapweed Metzneria paucipunctella MOTH Widespread

spotted knapweed Terellia virens FLY Isolated sites, higher elevation than weevils, FS 

use likely

St. Johnswort Agrilus hyperici BEETLE Spotty in eastern Oregon and Washington, would 

use on the westside if could be established, FS 

may want to redistribute

Appendix H-2
Preventing and Managing Invasive Plants Final Environmental Impact Statement April 2005

Appendix H - Status of Biological Controls in the Pacific Northwest Region

Weed Control Agent Agent Type Status

St. Johnswort Aplocera plagiata MOTH Common in eastern OR and Washington, 

ineffective, disperses 50 miles

St. Johnswort Chrysolina hyperici BEETLE Widespread in mesic

St. Johnswort Chrysolina quadrigemina BEETLE Widespread in dry

St. Johnswort Chrysolina variens BEETLE Establishment failed 50 years ago. It will not be 

released

St. Johnswort Zeuxidiplosis giardi FLY Many attempts to introduce in Oregon failed. 

Established in southern CA but parasitized.

Salt cedar Diorhabda elongata BEETLE Recent release. As of 2004 approved for one site 

in Malheur County.

tansy ragwort Botanophila seneciella FLY Widespread

tansy ragwort Longitarsus jacobaeae BEETLE Widespread

tansy ragwort Tyria jacobaeae MOTH Widespread. Attacks natives (Packara sedaris 

and S. triangularis ) but no population effects are 

known

toadflax Eteobalea intermediella MOTH Have been released and recovered in Montana; 

still unavailable for redistribution

toadflax Eteobalea serratella MOTH Have been released and recovered in Montana. 

Still unavailable for redistribution. FS will distribute 

when available.

yellow nutsedge Puccinia canaliculata FUNGUS Not released in US

yellow starthistle Bangasternus orientalis BEETLE Widespread

yellow starthistle Chaetorellia australis FLY Widespread. Rate of spread about 50 miles per 

year

yellow starthistle Chaetorellia succinia FLY Not yet approved, Accidental.

yellow starthistle Eustenopus villosus FLY Widespread, spreads well, if site w/o, FS should 

redistribute

yellow starthistle Larinus curtus BEETLE Widespread in eastern Oregon and Washington. 

Does poorly on the west-side, may need 

redistribution in spots in the East

yellow starthistle Urophora sirunaseva FLY Widespread southwest Oregon, climate not 

suitable in northeast Oregon or eastern 

Washington

yellow starthistle Puccinia jaceae var. 

Solstitialis

FUNGUS Established in California; as of 2003 not yet 

available for large-scale releases.

Appendix H-3