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Digging out purple loosestrife has been one effective way of slowing the spread into wetlands of this invasive plant. Biocontrol is a second, long-term solution.
In 1997, Lakehead Conservation released loosestrife-eating beetles at two locations. The beetles’ only food source is purple loosestrife. At one site, the beetles have spread through the patch and staff observed egg masses on the leaves and holes chewed in the leaves by both adults and larvae.
By reducing plant vigour and stopping seed production, the beetles will reduce the loosestrife's impact on wetland habitats to a modest level. |
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Larvae of Galerucella beetles cause significant damage to the growing tip of purple loosestrife plants. The loosestrife plant fails to develop a flower stem and, hence, its thousands of seeds. |
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| Above: Lakehead Conservation contract staff, Diana Grierson, joined volunteers in removing this huge patch of purple loosestrife near Neebing Ave.
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Originally
posted: Jan. 28, 2000
