Purple Loosestrife: History, Management, and Biological Control in Iowa

Authors

Amy P. Wiebe, Iowa State University
John J. Obrycki, Iowa State University

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Lythrum salicaria, biological control, Galerucella. wetlands

Abstract

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive plant species infesting wetlands in North America. Biodiversity and wetland habitat quality are reduced following purple loosestrife establishment. Several management tactics, including cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls, have had limited success in reducing the spread of purple loosestrife. Beginning in the 1990s, a biological control program has introduced several species of natural enemies from Europe that feed on purple loosestrife. Since 1994, Iowa State University has reared and released two species of beetles that feed on purple loosestrife, Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla. Biological control is one component of an integrated purple loosestrife management and education program that is needed to reduce the spread and densities of purple loosestrife.

Publication Date

December 2001

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

108

Issue

4

First Page

166

Last Page

170

Copyright

© Copyright 2001 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Wiebe, Amy P. and Obrycki, John J. (2001) "Purple Loosestrife: History, Management, and Biological Control in Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 108(4), 166-170.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol108/iss4/11