bioagent

Nope, not a post about government conspiracies, this one's about the newest additions to the population at Barley Acres!

Yesterday morning we were thrilled to welcome 200 hard-working weevils to our fields, given to us by our Regional District, just because we asked for them! Our property, like everyone else's around here, has a number of invasive species growing on it. Spotted Knapweed is one of the worrisome ones. Last year we did our best trying to pull as many plants as possible. Friends and family helped too, and we really seemed to be getting ahead of them, but this spring they came back in full force in several areas. We learned that pulling was ineffective, that the seeds can survive years in the ground, and that our efforts were better spent in other ways. Enter our new little friends Larinus minutus; their mission is to seek out and destroy the seedheads of spotted knapweed. And they don't work alone! Next month, they'll be joined by Cyphocleonus achates -- another weevil that attacks the root systems of these same plants. Nope, they aren't as powerful as herbicide solutions, but that's okay, that's how we roll!

We were actually quite excited to discover while out in the field that we already had some seedhead weevils (now that we know what to look for), though we couldn't find evidence of any root weevils out there. 

Aren't they cute? No? not convinced? then check out this little video clip that Bug-Loving Daughter sent me..."Nothing is as special as a weevil taking flight."  Adorable, right?

photo cred for all three above shots goes to My Guy

The biologist who escorted these little agents to us pointed out some Hoary Alyssum nearby (the white blooms in the background of the photo above.) Now those ones we get to pull, bag up, and tote off to the local landfill for disposal. 

Next year, we'll check on the progress and population of our new little friends and hopefully they will continue their work without the need for reinforcements. The results likely won't be dramatic, but hopefully they will keep the weeds in check enough to allow native species to return and thrive in a varied and healthy environment.