2006 Field Season

     This year marked the third year of the Pasture Weed Biological Control Program at NSAC. The program has already proven valuable with the implementation of an updated survey of previous releases from the early 1990's. The survey includes the development of a GIS information database which will be used for evaluating biocontrol agents and weed populations for establishment, density and damage while monitoring their spread.

The discovery of an early season mating population of Longitarsus jacobaeae as well as two naturalized species Longitarsis ganglbaueri and Spheroderma testaceum which are the result of the intitial survey conducted in the previous two years. These insects as well as others are being evaluated for their impact on thier given target weeds.

Work has also begun on a publication entitled: A Field Guide to Biological Control in Atlantic Canada which will contain information and photographs of the most successful biological control agents and their target weeds in Atlantic Canada.

Project Objectives :

     This project will contribute to an integrated pest management approach to weed control through the establishment of alternative control options on several species of difficult to control pasture weeds using an assortment of insect agents for biological control. Through the increased supression of difficult to control pasture weeds it is expected that an increase in productive pasture area wil be realized in the form of a reduction of the toxic and/or unpalatable weed species.

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