Subject: Re: non-native introduction to ecosystems (fwd)
Date: Nov 29 21:50:24 1996
From: Herb Curl - h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov


Steve Hallstrom writes:
>The loosestrife beatles/weavils have been tested in confined areas in
>the east, in Minnesota and near Corvallis Or. To my knowledge all tests
>are showing no significant problems to native plants.

"Confined" is a pretty euphemistic word when it comes to biological agents!
However, what I want to know is, is there any valid reason not to spray
loosestrife infestations judiciously with Roundup? It kills the whole
plant, biodegrades rapidly and is nontoxic to mammals and birds. Pulling
on the other hand doesn't remove entire root systems and the plants keep
coming back. (Not to mention the labor intensive nature of pulling.)
Nonetheless, I'm all in favor of biological controls if they really work.

------Herb Curl


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