Invasive Species Awareness Week Day 2: Bio-control and Purple Loosestrife

Not all invasives can be dealt with in the same way, it is really dependent on the species and how it grows. The most common ways to control invasives are mechanically, chemically, or through bio-controls. Mechanical is through brute force, usually by digging or pulling, and chemically is through the use of pesticides and herbicides. Bio-control are when you introduce a species, usually an insect, that would naturally predate on this plant where it originated from. This requires a lot of testing to ensure that we are not introducing another species that will affect our native species and will only focus on the invasive.

One popular bio-control is the Black-margined loosestrife beetle that, as the name suggests, focuses on controlling Purple loosestrife. Purple loosestrife is a beautiful purple flower that blooms in the summer. Unfortunately, they can take over and limit the biodiversity in wetlands and riparian areas. Like most bio-controls, this loosestrife beetle will limit the growth and spread of the invasives. The beetle does so by defoliating the plant by making shot-holes in the leaves. This then limits the plants photosynthesis capabilities. Bio-controls are not intended to kill the plant completely since that would also mean removing their food source. But thanks to bio-control, our lives are easier when it comes to managing these pesky plants.

iNaturalist image link: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/294487395