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Wisconsin Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Biocontrol

March 20, 2017

Wisconsin Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Biocontrol and Wetland Invasive Plant Programs

Beetle rearing insectary at Brice Prairie. Initial stock came from WDNR. Adult beetles are placed on 6-10 Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) plants where they reproduce, lay eggs and die. Eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks and larvae feed voraciously on the insectary plants before pupating into adult stage. By Mid-July, adults are ready to be released to a Purple Loosestrife site. Photo courtesy of Brice Prairie Conservation Association

Brock Woods is responsible for the Wisconsin Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Biocontrol and Wetland Invasive Plant Programs.  If you’re from Wisconsin and you want netting to use to raise Purple Loosestrife beetles this year, contact Brock Woods.

Brock also wrote: “for a small donation (mailed to teachers for free!) we will send beetle starter stock to Wisconsin residents* during May. Best advice for maintaining a beetle rearing insectary is to dig plants for rearing as soon as local marshes thaw in spring so plants are adequate size by May. Actual transplanting of the plants, however, should only be accomplished when net sleeve cages are ready to keep predators off the plants.”

Brock noted that Invasive Species Archive data for all reported invasive species sites anywhere in Wisconsin are available to everyone and anyone by e-mailing Jason Granberg or calling 608-267-9868. Most wetland species sites must be confirmed for correct ID before a strategy to control them can be developed. So volunteer help is invaluable for efforts to devise effective control work, especially for such wetland species as Phragmites (Phragmites australis), Reed Manna Grass (Glyceria maxima), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) and European Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre).

See also Applications for CBM Grants Due April 6th.

*or you can pick them up in Madison for free.

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