In the May/June issue of Gardener, there is a short article : "Stop the Invasion : by Ellen Sturm There is good news for wetlands suffering from the invasion of European purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) which has crowded out native species and destroyed many wildlife habitats and food sources. Where mowing, burning, flooding, and herbicides have failed, tiny insects are proving successful. Wetlands managers looking for a biological answer found two beetles and two weevils from Europe that feed primarily on purple loosestrife. In 1992 they were released in seven states. Today the insects have been introduced in 35 states and at least 10 Canadian provinces through state and federal organizations, universities, nature centers, and schools. A few hundred insects can be enough. In three to five years years their growing populations can result in up to 90 percent elimination of purple loosestrife. To participate in a beetle release in your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service or visit www.invasiveplants.net." ============================================ It's the 'primarily' that bothers me . . . http://www.invasiveplants.net/plants/purpleloosestrife.htm as well as the observation : "has been approved for introduction, however, European specimens are infested with a nematode, and this infection has prevented its introduction. Although infested adults of N. brevis do not show reduced life-spans or increased mortality and females lay fertile eggs, the potential for harmful effects of the nematode to indigenous North American insects exists. At present we have stopped any attempts to introduce . . ." Toni in Seattle
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