The leafy spurge insects are done for this summer. The knapweed seed head weevils (Larinus) are nearing the end of their collectable time so call this week if you want some. We have collected 22,330 Larinus as of Aug. 5th.
We have surpassed 1,200 Agapeta so far with the help of our new insect vacuums. Last year we only collected 605. These are the yellow knapweed root boring moths. They are beginning to be well established in the Cardwell area and are lightly established near Virginia City and in the Basin, Boulder and Jefferson City areas. The larvae spend the fall and winter within the root of knapweed and damage it, slowing the growth and shortening the life span if the plant. They are a good bio-agent because of the root damage and the fact that they disperse by flying. We feel that this will be about the last week that these moths will be available for collection so call Mellissa Newman 682-3819 in the Ennis area, Dan Jones 685-3346 in the Harrison area or Todd Breitenfeldt and Mike Battaiola in Jefferson County and in the Silverstar and Cardwell areas if you want a release. In Northern Jefferson County you may also want to call Jay Cole, the Jefferson County Weed Coordinator 225-4211, extension 4. He can get you in contact with us and may have time to slip by and asses your site for us. I am sorry that we do not have enough moths for every one, but in the next few years we should. Please be patient and use other forms of weed management in the mean time.
We found evidence of Cyphocleonus (the knapweed root boring weevil, the best bioagents for knapweed) in the areas of Boulder, Basin and Jefferson City as well as some sites near Whitehall, Cardwell and Virginia City. We will be collecting from the Jefferson City area, Basin area, Whitehall area and of course the insectaries at Whitehall, Harrison and Ennis schools as soon as these weevils emerge from the roots in good numbers. Last year we started collecting Aug. 19th and collected 2,431 by Sept. 12th. These really are the best bio-agent for knapweed but unfortunately; do not fly so we have to hand disperse them to new sites. Our long-term goal is a release every quarter section (1/4 mile) in large knapweed infestations.
I wish we had millions of Cyphocleonus but may be with help (and luck) we can have a 4,000 weevil collection year and provide 40 releases to folks that have large infestations of mature knapweed plants in areas that will not flood. The hotter and drier the site, the better. If you are anywhere in Madison or Jefferson Counties and have knapweed, please contact us at the above numbers so we can asses your site for a potential weevil release site. We will not be releasing these out of Jefferson and Madison counties except to help new school insectaries start up. If you are out of these counties, please call your county weed coordinator: http://mtwow.org/Montana-Counties-2.htm. Or, purchase insects from: http://mtwow.org/Purchase-Biological-Control-Agents.htm.
Don't forget a fall spray is a good way to control knapweed.
