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This module is designed
to educate the students on developing a biological control
program for management of weeds in natural settings. This
module can be developed as a short-term project with
intermittent time commitments throughout several weeks or as
an extensive, three month program. If further extensions of
this topic are desired, a community service project may be
developed to implement a biological control program for
purple loosestrife in the area. This program may provide
effective long-term management of purple loosestrife, a weed
problem in wetland areas.
After completion of
this module, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the life cycle of weeds,
2. Describe the life cycle of plant feeding
insects,
3. Develop and implement a biological program for
noxious weed pests, and
4. Collect and analyze data to determine the
effectiveness of biological control agents.
Before you begin the
module:
1. Order material for the cages and obtain supplies
for the cages and cage stands.
2. Obtain the pots and water trays.
3. Obtain purple loosestrife seeds.
4. Identify a source for the natural enemies.
5. Purple loosestrife seed and plant feeding insects
are available from Iowa State University.
- Once you can successfully grow the purple loosestrife
(plants should be ª12 inches tall):
6. Order the natural enemies.
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