Mega Beetle Release Planned to Combat Destruction of Wetlands by Purple Loosestrife

Mega Beetle Release Planned to Combat Destruction of Wetlands by Purple Loosestrife

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (O.M.N.R.) and the Ontario Wetland Habitat Fund (O.W.H.F.), will be working with landowners across the province to control the spread of purple loosestrife this summer. “The cooperative partnership between the O.F.A.H., O.M.N.R. and the O.W.H.F. is an extremely valuable means of addressing the threat to our wetlands posed by purple loosestrife,” said Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invasive Species/Aquatics Biologist. “Without working together, and using new techniques like the beetle releases, it would be impossible to address this threat to our natural ecosystem.”

Purple loosestrife is an invasive wetland plant, native to Eurasia, which was introduced to North America in the early 1800’s. Widely considered to be one of Canada’s most invasive plant species, purple loosestrife spreads quickly, forming dense stands which are unsuitable as cover, food or nesting sites for waterfowl, bitterns and muskrats.

The Purple Loosestrife Control Program, part of the larger O.F.A.H. program known as “Project Purple,” involves the release of loosestrife eating Galerucella beetles, which have been successfully used to control purple loosestrife at more than 300 sites across Ontario. In 2004, beetle releases targeted eastern Ontario watersheds and 80 release sites were established.

A new addition to this year’s efforts to control loosestrife is the “mega release” strategy, which will target a limited number of large, but isolated purple loosestrife sites. These sites contain large stands of loosestrife where beetles have not yet been established, or where the loosestrife has proven extremely resistant to control measures. These mega releases will start or supplement beetle populations of 20,000 to 50,000 per site, and will occur in the following areas: Consecon, Dunneville Flats, Fenelon Falls, Madoc, Newmarket/Holland River, and Oshawa.

Galerucella beetles were brought to North America in 1992, specifically to address the growing threat of purple loosestrife. Regulatory agencies from both Canada and the U.S. approved their release after stringent research established that the beetles are harmless to native species and the environment. The beetles are now being used successfully in nine provinces and 33 states, and have become recognized as a viable alternative to traditional methods of loosestrife control.

The 640 O.F.A.H. member clubs across Ontario are being encouraged to incorporate beetle releases into their conservation plans and projects this summer, and beetles will also be available to landowners associated with the Ontario Wetland Habitat Fund. “We have conservation-minded landowners who are helping to fill in gaps where the Galerucella beetles have yet to become established,” said Wetland Habitat Fund Manager, Mark Stabb. “We are proud to work with landowners to help preserve wetlands.”

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