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Biological Control
Background
The Larimer County Weed District is working in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to promote biological control agents to Larimer County landowners as an effective method of long-term noxious weed management. Biological control methods reduce costs and will decrease the amount of pesticides needed to manage noxious weeds. The release of beneficial organisms can be extremely successful when introduced in a integrated pest management program. It is important to understand that insect populations take time to establish, a noticeable reduction in the target noxious species will take an average 3-8 years. Additional control measures should be used while the insects are trying to establish their populations.
Leafy Spurge Beetle Available through the LCWD
Currently, the LCWD only offers leafy spurge flea beetles. The Colorado Department of Agriculture, Biological Pest Control Section has available several species of beneficial insects for control of certain noxious weeds in Colorado. Please contact them directly for information on species other then leafy spurge flea beetles.
Obtaining the Leafy Spurge Beetle
First, your land must meet the requirement for the beetle establishment. There must be at least one acre of solid leafy spurge that is inaccessible via other management means. Control of other leafy spurge patches without the beetle is still expected.
Please call our office at 970-498-5768 if you are interested in this program and would like to sign up. Our program is first come, first serve and dependent on the supply provided to us from internal sources and the Department of Agriculture.
What is Biological Control?
Biological pest control is the use of natural enemies to suppress populations of plant and insect pests. The release of beneficial organisms can be included as an vital component of an integrated pest management program. Although not a replacement for chemical control, it is an alternative for areas where the use of pesticides may be ineffective or inappropriate. Many of the present-day plant and insect pests have arrived in Colorado without the corresponding natural enemy that kept them in check in their native habitat. It is the intent of the Colorado Department of Agriculture to import and release these beneficial insects to suppress populations of introduced pest species.
Other Information on Predators for Specific Weeds
The musk thistle natural enemy is a small crown-boring weevil. Adults feed extensively on the plant when they emerge in the spring. The larvae feed in the crown of the plant at the soil line, which results in the inability of the plant to bolt and produce viable seed. This insect has been responsible for the reduction of the spread and density of musk thistle in parts of the state. Please contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Biological Pest Control Section for more information.