Research Center
1350 Femrite Dr.
Monona, Wisconsin 53716
Telephone 608-221-6349
FAX 608-221-6353

Scott McCallum, Governor
Darrell Bazzell, Secretary

December 11, 2002

TO: Potential Spring, 2002, Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Cooperators

FROM: Brock Woods, Wisconsin DNR and UW Extension

RE: ACTION ALERT: Sign up to get Starter Biocontrol Beetles for 2002!

Thank you for your interest in biological control (BC) of purple loosestrife (PL)! Our citizen BC project uses two safe, foliage-feedingbeetle species, that have shown great potential for controlling PL. You may now acquire these from WDNR for YOUR wetlands by reserving a starter population of beetles that you'll receive, rear and release next spring/summer. We supply 100 beetles for a $25 donation equivalent to our cost, some materials and the know-how. You supply other, locally purchased materials and put the project together at your location, ultimately releasing up to 10,000 beetles! These insects are beginning to slow the spread of PL around the state, but we still need many more out there to make it work. Success in this endeavor depends onYOU!

Read the brochure "PL: What You Should Know, What You Can Do" (found atand the other e-mail attachments for a more complete understanding of the PL problem and solutions. Determine the best control method(s) for your site. If you don't have a field site, use the 'GLIFWC Map Instructions' file to find one.Wisconsin information, including a list of WDNR Aquatic Plant Management Coordinators, is in the 'Addendum' file. The 'Tradcon3' file adds detail about other control methods. You may want to contact your APMC for details (and permits for herbicide use over water), or call me, especially for BC details.Videos and web sites listed in the 'Materials' file and 'PL Web Resources' file, respectively, also have good information.

For biocontrol,decide whether tobuy beetles (~$500/site) or rear your ownor both. Rearing them is cheaper (~$200 or less, for more beetles), but requires a bit more work. Contact beetle sellers directly to buy them (see "Additional Materials" list file).To rear your own, sign up with WDNR to reserve a 100-beetle starter population for the $25 donation. (You may get your donation back if you end up collecting your own; ask about sites.) Rearing materials will cost $150 or less, depending on your goals and creativity. WDNR will supply the toughest item to get, fabric for net sleeves (value~$35) and possibly other gear, free to anyone agreeing to rear 3 years or more! From each 100 beetles you start with in spring, as many as 10,000 are released 6-8 weeks later! Releasing beetles for several years is best to really jump-start BC in your area, but even one year can make a big difference in the long run.

Rearing your own is easy. Send in a signed permit. Then, for each 100 beetles, begin by transplanting the 12 biggest PL roots (after careful plant identification) from your local wetland into pots as early as the wetland thaws in spring (or even in autum in the far North.) Immediately place net sleeves (made from the netting) on 11 plants and place all pots into a 6-foot, kids’ wading pool. Maintain several inches of water in it to mimic the wetland habitat and in May, when plants are 2+ feet tall, put ten beetles into each of ten sleeves. When new beetles start appearing in June or July, move the potted plants to local PL-infested wetlands and remove the nets. That's all there is to rearing your own!

After release you need to send us a map of all your release sites so we know where work is progressing.

And, of course, you'll want to monitor your beetles (in spring; easy--we'll tell you how) to know they are doing well. Likewise, you'll want to photograph your site(s) annually at the height of flowering to document and see plant changes over time! We'll also tell you how to pick a good insectory site for release so that in the future you can field collect local rearing stock in spring for free!

Team up with others, if you can, to share in the work, costs, fun and learning. Consider friends or other organizations, such as Lake Districts, schools or government. The space needed is not large: after transplanting you need about 6 by 6 of sunny area. The number of hours of labor is also small. The project field time runs from April to August (net sleeves should be sewn before April). Since the work starts in the school year, this is a good school project, though it may need to be finished by a summer school class or a non-school team member (a community partner!). Good curricular materials are available through the net (see web sites file), especially from MSU, and by summer 2002, Wisconsin materials will be available from WDNR and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association!

To reserve your beetles from WDNR, fill out and return via US mail both a signed permit ('CoopRearPermit' file) and a Bio-control Application form along with your check. Add site info if you know where you will release. Copy the form for multiple sites. (To legally cultivate PL plants to rear beetles, you must read and sign the permit before starting.) Make your donation check to 'Wisconsin DNR' for $25 per 100 beetles. (Note on your check that it's for 'purple loosestrife bio-control'.) Send them all to me at the address below. No limit on beetle numbers is anticipated--the more beetles released the better!--though you may want to start small. More detailed rearing information is in the rearing guide file. Should you decide to purchase release-beetles rather than rear them, send in a signed permit and we'll send you release and monitoring information.

If you cannot rear/release beetles in 2002, you can still help! Buy & release beetles or volunteer to monitor existing sites. Definitely share this information with interested others! Be sure to check the appropriate boxes on the application form to indicate your interest level.

Control of PL and other exotics in Wisconsin will require a long-term effort involving many citizens. WDNR will do all it can to work cooperatively with interested citizens and organizations in this effort. We hope you can join in! If you have questions or commentscontact Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol at the WDNR Research Center, 1350 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI 53716, or at . or call at 608/221-6349. I look forward to hearing from you, so sign up soon to get those beetles!

Sincerely,

Brock Woods

Wisconsin DNR Research Ecologist

Enclosures

BW/cr

1/14/02