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Exploring enhanced biocontrol techniques for controlling leafy spurge

 

Project Details

  • Project Lead: Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives

  • Collaborators: Mae Elsinger (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

  • Years: 2022 - present

  • Project Status: Ongoing

  • Funding & In-Kind Support: Canadian Agricultural Partnership

  • Location: First Street Pasture

  • Scope: Case Study

  • Keywords: Weed Management

Approach

Building on previous experiences with leafy spurge, this project explores using more beetles from multiple sources and releasing them close together. Each year’s beetles are moved around the chosen site to target areas with high leafy spurge infestation levels.

Project Findings

Year One:

  • Nine spurge flea beetle releases were made

  • Flea beetles came from a variety of sources for increased genetic diversity

  • Samples taken in 2022 show the amount of leafy spurge is high

One paddock was chosen for intensive leafy spurge management through flea beetle biocontrol. Points are locations of 2022 beetle releases, circles are the areas sampled for leafy spurge. Maps Data: Google, ©2023 Airbus

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