Minnesota DNR Releases Bugs To Kill Poisonous Invasive Species

There's an invasive species that the DNR is hoping to control without using herbicides or pesticides. Instead, the Department Of Natural Resources will fight back with nature, releasing a certain type of insect to fight back.

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WDIO shared the news yesterday that the Minnesota DNR released 1,000 spotted knapweed weevils in the General Andrew State Forest.

The weevils and their larvae eat developing spotted knapweed seeds. They use three different kinds of weevils. Two of them are seedhead weevil species, Larinus minutes and L. obstusus. The other species is root-boring and called Cyphocleonus achates.

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The hope is the weevils will reproduce and help control knapweed at the State Park and also other DNR sites across the state.

Why is spotted knapweed so harmful?

Spotted Knapweed is poisonous to other plants. It can also be an irritant to people's skin, so the DNR recommends you protect yourself. It can take over the vegetation and food source for animals and threaten places like prairies and dunes. Animals will not eat the spotted knapweed, so it goes uncontrolled and reduces the vegetation in the area, which is harmful to livestock.

What should you do if you see spotted knapweed?

If you come across a new occurrence of spotted knapweed on your property, you should contact the DNR to report it. The DNR recommends that you wear long sleeves and gloves if you are removing it, as it can be harmful to your skin.