Biocontrol

Day 2 – Biocontrol of MT State Listed Noxious Weeds

Classical biological control of invasive weeds (biocontrol for short) is the deliberate release of a specialized natural enemy from the weed’s native range to reduce the weeds abundance or spread in its introduced range. Biocontrol is not an appropriate tool for all weeds and/or all sites but can be very beneficial for widespread, abundant weeds.

There are multiple biocontrol agents that have been approved to aid in the management of many of our Montana state listed noxious weeds, however there are four weed/biocontrol systems that are considered to be the most common and effective in our state. These systems are for yellow toadflax, Dalmatian toadflax, leafy spurge, and spotted knapweed.

Fact Sheets
Knapweeds – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/27450.pdf
Knapweed biocontrol – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/27451.pdf
Leafy Spurge – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/29179.pdf
Leafy Spurge biocontrol – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/29180.pdf
Yellow and Dalmatian Toadflax – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/27418.pdf
Yellow and Dalmatian Toadflax biocontrol – https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/27419.pdf

Videos/Podcasts
Weed Biocontrol Series – https://youtu.be/KkONlsnG7ls?si=JyCaY321nmNW2IcW
Spotted knapweed – https://youtu.be/QvpwD1dmrzM?si=c3acM92JLoezMguS
Spotted knapweed biocontrol – https://youtu.be/m3nFm2lNhoY?si=IHt8lHVrQ0tLakfd
Leafy Spurge biocontrol – https://youtu.be/qwRfhe5ct3s?si=-ceTuTK-H5a4fHLL
Yellow toadflax – https://youtu.be/02QjpEzN30w?si=7D9xicaaMhw1bMxN
Dalmatian toadflax – https://youtu.be/U0ts6XIVmS8?si=8BmBq3U2J5F8VQMB

Activities & Helpful Websites
iBiocontrol – https://www.ibiocontrol.org/
NAISMA’s Biocontrol Page – https://naisma.org/naisma-resources/biocontrol/
NAISMA’s Biocontrol 101 Course – https://naisma.org/programs/professional-development/biological-control-101/
Montana Biocontrol Project – https://www.mtbiocontrol.org/

Other Articles & Information
Other Biocontrol Factsheets – https://naisma.org/naisma-resources/biocontrol/biocontrol-factsheets/
Invasion Curve Graphic with biocontrol – https://www.cgaps.org/wp-content/uploads/Invasion-Curve-and-Biocontrol-Option-Graph-color-by-CGAPS.jpg

Use these resources to learn something new and/or to promote and distribute information to your constituents, family, friends, and neighbors. As MNWAW is declared statewide, help us create a united front in the fight against noxious weeds in Montana, educate those around us, and celebrate the wins. Don’t forget to watch our gun raffle fundraiser LIVE on our Facebook page at 12pm.

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