| July 18, 2007 - UCONN & Mastergardener Release Beetles to Attack Invasives on NFA site Back to News Index |
Whispers in the Forest
Newtown Forest Association
Connecticut's Oldest Private Land Trust
Connecticut's Oldest Private Land Trust
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Author: Bob Merola, Volunteer & Editor: Guy Peterson, Treasurer
Bob writes: "Did you know that the purple flowering plant you see in and around the wetlands of Newtown is invasive and banned in Connecticut?
Purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ) has been designated by the State of Connecticut as an invasive plant. It was banned from commercial sale in
Connecticut in 2005. Invasive non-native plants, such as purple loosestrife, are a serious concern because they decrease native species and
reduce biological diversity. One mature plant may have as many as thirty flowering stems capable of producing an estimated two to three million
seeds per year.
Biological control is defined as the use of natural enemies ( known as biological control agents or beneficial insects ) to reduce a plant’s population.
“They are my little insect friends” said Bernd Blossey, Director of the Biological Control of Non-Indigenous Plant Species Program at Cornell’s
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Blossey has been rearing the leaf-feeding beetles for national distribution since 1993.
Purple loosestrife is one invasive plant for which biological control agents ( such as Galerucella ) have been identified, tested and released. The
feeding on the plants by the beetles significantly reduces purple loosestrife populations over time. In Connecticut, more than 1 million purple
loosestrife biological control agents have been introduced into 90 Connecticut wetlands since 1996.
As you would expect, Mother Nature dictates the timeline for this program, sponsored by the UCONN Department of Plant Science. The major
components of the program and its timeline are:
April – dig several purple loosestrife plants ( used to harvest beetles )
May – collect beetles from a current release site
June – farm the beetles
July – release the beetles
Newtown was devoid of this invasive plant for at least one hundred years. Purple loosestrife was introduced into the United States in 1814. During
his lifetime, John Beach never saw it in Newtown. Realize that Judge William Edmond never saw it in Newtown during his tenure in Congress. And
quite possibly it hadn’t yet invaded Newtown when Mary Hawley was a youngster.
To rid Newtown of this invasive plant and once again allow native plants and biological diversity to flourish in and around its wetlands is long
overdue. Master Gardener candidates and volunteers at large can become “Beetle Farmers” and perform community efforts such as the one
described here. The Master Gardener program is sponsored by the UCONN Cooperative Extension System.
Pursuant to the above information, I am extremely pleased to report that the first-ever biological control agent release to rid purple loosestrife has
been made in Newtown. The Newtown Forest Association ( NFA ) has taken the leadership role and consented to participate in this program. NFA
should be commended for their proactive approach to combat invasive plants and for their enthusiastic willingness to make a difference in Newtown.
Thank you – NFA."
First and foremost the NFA would like to thank Bob Merola for his enthusiasm and bringing this UCONN - Plant Science statewide project and study
into Newtown and on one of our NFA properties that has extensive purple loofstrife infestation. The NFA does not encourage the use of herbicides
and this natural means to control such infestations was an attractive alternative. The NFA directly participated in the beetle release process and
took baseline photographs of the area to document the before and after effects of such remediation methods. Even after a few days it could be
noticed that the release of these beetles was starting to do its work by eating the leaves of the invasives with the hope that they won't flower and go
to seed. Click the link to see some exciting pictures showing the beetle release.
Bob writes: "Did you know that the purple flowering plant you see in and around the wetlands of Newtown is invasive and banned in Connecticut?
Purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ) has been designated by the State of Connecticut as an invasive plant. It was banned from commercial sale in
Connecticut in 2005. Invasive non-native plants, such as purple loosestrife, are a serious concern because they decrease native species and
reduce biological diversity. One mature plant may have as many as thirty flowering stems capable of producing an estimated two to three million
seeds per year.
Biological control is defined as the use of natural enemies ( known as biological control agents or beneficial insects ) to reduce a plant’s population.
“They are my little insect friends” said Bernd Blossey, Director of the Biological Control of Non-Indigenous Plant Species Program at Cornell’s
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Blossey has been rearing the leaf-feeding beetles for national distribution since 1993.
Purple loosestrife is one invasive plant for which biological control agents ( such as Galerucella ) have been identified, tested and released. The
feeding on the plants by the beetles significantly reduces purple loosestrife populations over time. In Connecticut, more than 1 million purple
loosestrife biological control agents have been introduced into 90 Connecticut wetlands since 1996.
As you would expect, Mother Nature dictates the timeline for this program, sponsored by the UCONN Department of Plant Science. The major
components of the program and its timeline are:
April – dig several purple loosestrife plants ( used to harvest beetles )
May – collect beetles from a current release site
June – farm the beetles
July – release the beetles
Newtown was devoid of this invasive plant for at least one hundred years. Purple loosestrife was introduced into the United States in 1814. During
his lifetime, John Beach never saw it in Newtown. Realize that Judge William Edmond never saw it in Newtown during his tenure in Congress. And
quite possibly it hadn’t yet invaded Newtown when Mary Hawley was a youngster.
To rid Newtown of this invasive plant and once again allow native plants and biological diversity to flourish in and around its wetlands is long
overdue. Master Gardener candidates and volunteers at large can become “Beetle Farmers” and perform community efforts such as the one
described here. The Master Gardener program is sponsored by the UCONN Cooperative Extension System.
Pursuant to the above information, I am extremely pleased to report that the first-ever biological control agent release to rid purple loosestrife has
been made in Newtown. The Newtown Forest Association ( NFA ) has taken the leadership role and consented to participate in this program. NFA
should be commended for their proactive approach to combat invasive plants and for their enthusiastic willingness to make a difference in Newtown.
Thank you – NFA."
First and foremost the NFA would like to thank Bob Merola for his enthusiasm and bringing this UCONN - Plant Science statewide project and study
into Newtown and on one of our NFA properties that has extensive purple loofstrife infestation. The NFA does not encourage the use of herbicides
and this natural means to control such infestations was an attractive alternative. The NFA directly participated in the beetle release process and
took baseline photographs of the area to document the before and after effects of such remediation methods. Even after a few days it could be
noticed that the release of these beetles was starting to do its work by eating the leaves of the invasives with the hope that they won't flower and go
to seed. Click the link to see some exciting pictures showing the beetle release.
For more information on invasive species visit the following websites:
Invasive.org
CONNECTICUT INVASIVE PLANT WORKING GROUP (CIPWG)
Invasive.org
CONNECTICUT INVASIVE PLANT WORKING GROUP (CIPWG)