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Puncturevine Seed Weevil Released In Hawthorne

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The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Mineral County, Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Mineral County Cooperative Weed Management Area received one release of Microlarinus, or as they are better known as, puncturevine seed weevil.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture has a permit statewide to release this biological control which eats the puncturevine seed so that the plant cannot reproduce. These weevils were shipped to Nevada from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The weevils were released at the Arts and Cultural Center on October 21, which is a Mineral County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) member.

It is important to note that biological controls do not eradicate a weed infestation. Biological controls slow.the spread of the species, and once a biological control has been used, chemicals should not be used at the biological control site. These weevils only eat puncturevine; they do not eat other plants. This species has been used in other states for years and success has been seen in decreasing the spread of puncturevine.

The Mineral County CWMA is currently creating a list of other possible puncturevine biological control sites for Mineral County. If you know of a location where puncturevine has taken over an area of land, please contact Staci Emm at (775) 945-3444 ext. 10.



Copyright 2009 Mineral County Independent-News, Hawthorne, Nevada. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Mineral County Independent-News Hawthorne, Nevada. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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