These beetles must navigate carefully and avoid becoming prey to another insect or being outcompeted by another. The purple loosestrife plant can host many other species that play a role in the ecosystem. Introducing Galerucella beetles to destroy purple loosestrife can be effective, but with anything in nature, other factors will influence their effectiveness. White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar found eating purple loosestrife Once you have collected that amount of beetles, you release them at your designated site and let the beetles do the rest. That is a lot of beetles, but it is a simpler option than rearing a population, especially if you collect as a group with others. These beetles will fall off of the leaves if you disturb them, so having the bottle below to capture them while lightly brushing to make them fall is the best way to catch them.įinding the tiny beetles on the plant can be tricky, but the top of the plant, in between the crevices of the new growth leaves, and the underside of leaves are some of their favorite hiding spots.įor this collection and move method, you must collect a great number of beetles to be effective for release-the Minnesota DNR suggests 1,000 beetles per release site. Tips and tricksĪ trick I learned from the experience of catching these beetles is to hold the bottle low on the plant with one hand and use the other to sweep the beetle off of the leaf it is occupying. It’s as easy as getting out your waders or boots and heading to your nearest wetland collection site to get started. All you have to do is create a makeshift cage from a soda bottle, go to the purple loosestrife plants, and collect any beetles you find. The Minnesota DNR’s guide to collect and move methods for biocontrol details all of the materials needed for collecting beetles and transporting them to another site.Ĭollecting the beetles is very simple and just requires a site where the beetle populations are established. Depending on whether you are rearing the beetles or simply collecting and releasing them, different permits may be needed, so it is best to seek out guidance. First, contact your local invasive species specialist and see if you can start a project or join in on a local effort. The Minnesota DNR has extensive resources for conducting biological control projects for purple loosestrife using leaf-eating beetles.

There are many possibilities for participating in invasive species management, even in your backyard. Loosestrife beetle inside of a collection bottleįor Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, or any avid supporter of native plants, helping with local purple loosestrife biocontrol efforts is not complicated.

Purple loosestrife plant