Robert N. Wiedenmann, rnwieden@uiuc.edu, Susan L. Post, spost@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu, and Michael R. Jeffords, jeffords@uiuc.edu. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Economic Entomology, 607 Peabody Dr, Champaign, IL
The invasive weed purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) has been the target of biological control efforts in many parts of North America. In Illinois, releases of Galerucella beetles, primarily G. calmariensis has been very effective at a number of sites. In addition to large-scale rearing and releases, we have trained hundreds of educators and homeowners, who have raised their own agents and made releases in nearby wetlands. We will discuss the program's efforts and successes.
Species 1: Coleoptera Chrysomelidae
Galerucella calmariensis (black-margined loosestrife beetle)
Keywords: weed biological control, purple loosestrife
Recorded presentation