Help NepRWA raise beetles!

Want to be a beetle-rancher this spring?

Beetle-ranching?, you may ask. Yes, we're helping the Neponset River Watershed Association look for people to raise small beetles ("Galerucella" beetles) to eat the Purple loosestrife plants that have been spreading like wildfire through Neponset wetlands. Purple loosestrife is changing the make-up of these ecosystems and degrading native wildlife habitat. The beetles have an appetite and life cycle very specific to Purple loosestrife.

NepRWA used the Galerucella beetles for the first time, last summer, and they did a marvelous job. We're are looking for your assistance to raise beetles for season #2! The more beetles we produce, the less Purple loosestrife there will be, and the better our local wetland wildlife will fare. Your help is key in this effort.

So, what does it take to be a Beetle-Rancher?

During one day in April, we will dig up wild Purple loosestrife plants at a specific site and pot them. Volunteers will decide how many plants they will care for over the spring, and then they will take the plants home.

Volunteers will care for the Purple loosestrife plants at home. Each volunteer will care for a multiple of 10 to 12 plants; this number of potted plants fits into one kiddie pool, which is used to keep the soil moist. Volunteers decide how many kiddie pools they prefer to manage. At first, plant care will consist of placing the kiddie pool in a sunny spot and keeping the water at a regular level inside the pool. After about a month, when the plants have grown to about a foot and a half in height, volunteers will cover them with nets. At this point, we'll provide volunteers with 10 beetles to apply to each of their plants. For about a month more, volunteers will continue to maintain the water levels in the kiddie pool and keep an eye on their beetles and their offspring.

Volunteers will bring the beetle-laden plants out to a field site. During a date in July, volunteers will transport their plants to a pre-selected field site. There, we'll remove the netting to allow the beetles and larvae to clamber out to feed on more Purple loosestrife.

Volunteers will pick-up the Purple loosestrife pots from the wetlands in October.

Beetle-ranching is a great activity for individuals, families, civic associations, schools, classes, clubs, religious organizations, scouts, and others. Please forward this message to anyone you know who may be interested in participating! Contact NepRWA to become a Beetle-Rancher, or for answers to any questions: rocklen@neponset.org, 781-575-0354 x303. Learn more about this Purple loosestrife biocontrol project: click here.