Biological Control Agents
Biological weed control can be an effective and important part of an integrated weed management strategy. Biological control agents are most appropriate in situations where weed infestations are large and well established, and on sites where other control methods are not feasible. They are not appropriate for small weed infestations or on sites where weed eradication is the goal. Weed infestations can be brought under control and managed effectively with insects, but insects alone will not eradicate a weed. Insects take a minimum of 4 years and sometimes over 10 years to make an impact, so biological control should be regarded as a long-term management strategy, not a short-term fix.
Safety of Biological Control Agents
Many of the weeds we manage in Washington are native to Europe and Asia. The US Department of Agriculture and other scientists search these native lands for natural enemies of each weed to be tested as potential biological control agents for release in this country. Insects are tested for effectiveness against the weed and specificity to the weed to ensure the insect will not attack commercial crops or native species. Insects are not available for use as biological control until they have undergone rigorous testing and have been approved for release by USDA. The IWCP has adopted the International Code of Best Practices for Classical Biological Control of Weeds meaning that only safe, host-specific, effective, and approved agents will be used for biological control.
Available Biological Control Agents
Approved biological control agent information is arranged here by weed and by insect name. You will find photos, biological information, impact on the target weed, and availability of the agent. In a few cases common but unapproved agents are listed for informational purposes only. IWCP does not distribute unapproved agents and discourages their distribution by others.
Requesting Agents
The IWCP provides biological control agents to land managers and private property owners at no cost. By requesting agents you are agreeing to allow access to the property in future years for population monitoring and possible insect collection. To request biological control agents please fill out and return the request form:
PLEASE NOTE: insects are available seasonally, often for a very short window of time. To ensure your request is received and processed in time for insects to be provided to you, please submit all requests by April 15th or 4 weeks before the "availability" information listed for the insect, which ever is earlier. If this is not possible we will still attempt to fulfill your request, though understand that you may be added to a waiting list for the following year.
updated 2-05-09
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