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Polk County interns release ~35,000 beetles to combat purple loosestrife
Summary
Two Polk County interns described a summer project rearing and releasing gallerucella beetles as a host-specific biocontrol for purple loosestrife and reported releasing about 35,000 beetles this season.
Polk County Land and Water Resources interns Lucy and Keaton presented a short video and described a summer project in which staff reared and released gallerucella beetles — a host-specific biocontrol agent — to reduce invasive purple loosestrife in county wetlands. The interns explained rearing practices (potting plants in a cage, decontaminating gear, collecting beetles) and said they average around 1,500 beetles per release bay; total releases this summer were reported at about 35,000 beetles.
Staff described the program as a 25-year practice for the county; committee members noted the program’s effectiveness but reminded residents not to transport loosestrife (county no-transport ordinance applies). The presentation was paired with a short video demonstration produced by the interns.
Next step: continue releases where appropriate and monitor beetle establishment at release sites.
