FLEA BEETLE 2.0: Calculating and Summing the Heat Units Towards First and Peak Emergence of Aphthona nigriscutis Foudras Adults

Written by David Legg
Department of Renewable Resources
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
82071
USA

What is FLEA BEETLE?

FLEA BEETLE is a collection of computer programs that calculate and sum the amount of heat that has occurred towards first and peak emergence of the flea beetle, Aphthona nigriscutis Foudras; this beetle is an important biological control agent of the noxious weed, leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.).

Many ranchers and farmers who suffer leafy spurge infestations try to contain that weed by grazing with sheep. Further, A. nigriscutis adults (the flea beetles) are being introduced into some pastures to kill existing leafy spurge plants. In order to sustain and increase the numbers of A. nigriscutis in spurge-infested pastures, the flea beetles need to emerge unhindered by the sheep so they can feed on leafy spurge foliage while they mate and lay eggs. FLEA BEETLE helps leafy spurge managers determine the most likely date on which A. nigriscutis adults will begin to emerge so the sheep can be removed before flea beetle emergence.


Conditions of Distribution and Limitation of Liability

All computer programs distributed by the University of Wyoming are on an AS IS basis without warranty. The University of Wyoming shall have no liability or responsibility to cooperator or any other person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by programs distributed by the University of Wyoming, including but not limited to interruption of service, loss of business, or anticipatory profits or consequential damages resulting from use or operation. The University of Wyoming shall not be liable for any damages caused by delay in delivering or furnishing programs.


Before You Download FLEA BEETLE ....

  • You will need a copy of WINZIP to extract the program and data files
  • You will need to decide on the drive and folder in which to place the program and data file


  • Before You can Run FLEA BEETLE ....

  • You will need to extract the program and data file (do this with WINZIP)

  • To Download FLEA BEETLE ....

  • There are 11 executable files in FLEA BEETLE
  • I have also provided to you one practice data file (containing daily maximum and minimum temperatures (Celsius), beginning on 1 January and ending on a date prior to both the first and peak emergence of adult A. nigriscutis)
  • Practice data filename is c30
  • Click here to download the compressed file, fb20.zip


  • To Run FLEA BEETLE ....

  • Within Windows: click on Start, then click on Run. Next enter the correct drive and folder name, then the file, fb.exe. Example: c:\fb\fb.exe. Confused? Simply click on Start, then click on Run, then click on browse; that will allow you to find the correct drive, and folder that contains the file, fb.exe. Once there, then simply click on the program, fb.exe
  • Within a DOS window: change directories (i.e., folders) so you are in the subdirectory (folder) that contains FLEA BEETLE, then type fb.exe and press the enter key


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