Contacts:
Mike Klepinger, (517)353-5508
Doug Landis, (517) 353-1829
Sue Nichols, Media Communications, (517) 355-2281
BUGS - AND KIDS -- LEAD BATTLE AGAINST WETLAND WEED
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University is putting into action a battle plan to control an invasive wetland weed that has beetles as warriors and children and teachers as generals.
The enemy, purple loosestrife, should be quaking in its roots.
Purple loosestrife is an aggressive plant species that graces coastal and inland wetlands with attractive purple foliage, yet chokes out native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. Dense stands of loosestrife impair recreational use of wetlands and rivers, impede water flow in agricultural drainage ditches and invade right-of-ways. The plant arrived in the United States from Europe without its natural enemies and has spread uncontrolled.
MSU's method of bringing the controlling forces back to purple loosestrife means involving communities in the process and providing a valuable and fun learning experience for students.
"Our method gives teachers a chance to get out into the field and do hands-on lessons with their kids," said Mike Klepinger, an environmental educator with the Michigan Sea Grant college program. "The next generation can begin to practice stewardship of our natural resources at a very young age. Teachers can provide students a lesson in basic ecology - discovering the relationships between plants and insects. The kids can feel gratified that they have made a real-world contribution."
At the core of the plan is two species of beetles: Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla. These insects feed solely on purple loosestrife. These insects have undergone extensive testing to determine their safety and effectiveness, and received USDA approval in 1992. They've been released in 27 states and all Canadian provinces. While they're effective, their progress has been slow.
MSU's plan aims to get more beetles out eating quicker. Using techniques developed at Cornell University, the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Minnesota, Michigan State's plan starts with a rearing program in which a starter population of 20 beetles on a potted purple loosestrife plant can yield up to 2,000 beetles.
The beetles, which are harmless to everything that's not purple loosestrife, can be raised in classrooms, or by others who work with wetlands, such as golf course managers. Rearing and releasing by school children, scout troops and 4-H groups will speed up the statewide control program.
Once unleashed on purple loosestrife, the beetles munch on bud, leaf and stem tissue, causing defoliation and prevention of flowering and seed production, said Doug Landis, associate professor of entomology. Recent studies show that releases of 5,000 to 6,000 beetles per site can result in 100 percent suppression of flowering the following season.
"We're very excited," Landis said. "We've already have release sites where flowering is partially suppressed. We think our methods are allowing the beetles to get a very fast start."
Landis said those fans of purple loosestrife needn't worry. The beetles are a method of control, not elimination of the plant. And since the beetles eat only purple loosestrife, one the plant population declines, the beetle population naturally will follow.
MSU's Purple Loosestrife Project is funded by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU Extension, MSU Sea Grant, the College of Natural Science - Division of Science and Math Education and Department of Entomology. Additional grant support was provided by the Michigan Department of Agriculture-Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division and the US EPA Environmental Education Grants Program. Many Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Division personnel provided assistance in the identification of potential release sites.
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