Purple Loosestrife Control Beetles Released in Mud Lake
On the evening of July 7 volunteers released Galerucella (“Cella”) beetles onto islands at the north end of Mud Lake in the Bog. The netted purple loosestrife plants, packed into the canoes in the photo, contained thousands of Cella beetles that were raised at the Field Station over the previous 5 weeks. These beetles will augment the population of beetles meant to damage the purple loosestrife and prevent blooming and seed production in the lake. Another set of beetle-laden plants was released along the boardwalk from Cedar Sauk Road. This project was entirely volunteer run. FOCB hopes to raise more beetles for release in 2026.
Volunteers releasing Galerucella (“Cella”) beetles
