Explanation of Names
Oberea erythrocephala (Schrank 1776)
Size
Adult 10-12 mm. Larva may reach 20 mm.
Range
native to Europe, introduced to NA to control Leafy Spurge (
Euphorbia esula), an invasive weed; established in the west
(1) to NE
(2)Food
Larvae feed on stems and root crowns of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).
Life Cycle
Adults present in early to mid-summer, feed on leafy spurge leaves and flowers. Female chews a hole in the upper part of a leafy spurge stem and lays an egg.
It spends winter as a larva. Larvae feed on roots at the crown.
Internet References
Montana War on Weeds - Morgan Shaw, 2008
Washington State U.. Integrated Weed Control Project