These are insects that have evolved with the plant and feed only on the target weed, leafy spurge. Spurge Infestation Leafy spurge grows in dense clumps with one or more shoots coming from a woody root crown. A milky latex seeps from the plant when it is cut or torn. It has a non woody hairless stem which can reach a height of 3 feet or more. In summer, the weed develops a cluster of yellowish flowers with large, greenish yellow bracts.
Seeds grow inside a three valued capsule.
When ripe, the seed capsules burst, shooting seeds up to 15 feet away from the plant. Waterways and animals carry the seed even further. Most seeds will germinate in the first year but they can remain viable for up to eight years. The roots of spurge can descend up to 14 feet, this helps the plant out compete the desirable native vegetation. The root system stores a large food reserve.