LOWER
PLATTE
WEED MANAGEMENT AREA
"Working together
to control and/or contain the spread of noxious
and invasive plants in the Lower Platte River drainage."
GIRLS & BOYS TOWN PURPLE
LOOSESTRIFE BIOCONTROL PROJECT
The Girls & Boys Town Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol project is a cooperative efforts of governmental agencies and Girls & Boys Town in Douglas County, Nebraska. The following agencies are involved:
Douglas County Noxious Weed Control Authority
Girls & Boys Town
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture APHIS Division
Sarpy County Noxious Weed Control Authority
Saunders County Noxious Weed Control Authority
Nebraska Weed Control Association
The Purpose of the project was to create an insectary for rearing Galerucella beetles to battle Purple Loosestrife in environmentally sensitive areas in Douglas County and Nebraska.
The Benefit of this project was the propagation of insects that can be used as another tool for an integrate approach to Purple Loosestrife control. Purple Loosestrife is a prolific seed producer and its habitat is usually in wet areas (lakes, rivers, marshes, ditches, etc.) that can be sensitive to other control methods, so introducing its natural enemy into an infestation helps control the plants without damaging other beneficial plants. These areas included the Girls and Boystown Wildlife Habitat Area, Jefferey Island Restoration Project The project also served as sort of an educational project as the residents of Girls and Boys Town helped with the project.
The Results of this project have been, so far, the release of nearly 45,000 insects to 10 different sites in Nebraska. Each site was chosen because of the nature of their infestation, whether it was inaccessible to vehicles or equipment, the size of the infestation warranted more than one control, or chemical control would not be recommended.
The Future of this project is to produce and introduce as many insects as we can, to build up a natural enemy that can keep purple loosestrife in check.