How to build a knapweed insectary Whitehall Project How to build a knapweed insectary Project Teachers: Todd Breintenfeldt and Mike Battaiola

Getting Started Materials: -time: this is a labor intensive method of mass rearing biological control agents. -land: in Whitehall we are fortunate that the Whitehall Schools let us use "waste" areas around the track and playing fields. -water: you will need to water your transplants.  In Whitehall, we use the school water system and lots of hoses. -equipment storage area: locking. -tiller: with removable tines to till between knapweed rows and around gardens. -mower/weed whip: if you need to maintain the area around the weed garden. -weeding/transplanting/clipping tools: shovels, hoes, rakes, wheelbarrow, clippers, sharpening file and trowels. -corral: metal flashing, wooden stakes, wood screws, drill (battery powered), sledge hammer, and gloves. [Hint: Make your corrals narrow enough so that your bird netting fits easily over them]. -bird netting: we ordered ours out of Hummert, rope or wire, tall stakes or fence posts. (post pounder). -fencing: fence posts, clips, and snow fencing or the orange plastic constriction fencing. -net insect cages: if you plan to try the root boring moth Agapeta zoegana you will need out door cages with spikes or stakes to anchor them. We use 6' x 6' x 12' aluminum frame cages with insect net skins and zipper cages    

Plan Ahead!!

Rearing Schedule Cyphocleonus in corrals: Early spring: Construct your plots, transplant, make corrals. Early spring - late fall Maintain the site. Mid summer Install bird netting. Early Aug. Introduce weevils Aug. - early Sept. Collect adult weevils from well established corrals, for field release Early Nov. Remove bird netting and winterize your site

Building Your Corral Gather your equipment and tools. -Draw a plan of your site. -Stake out your area. -Till or plow your site. -Stake out your corral

Flashing

Pulling and Clipping Cool day, moist soil for pulling, gloves, long sleeved shirts, boots, large crew, pull early, keep plants cool…

Dipping Dipping pulled and trimmed plant into water to keep it moist for transport in plastic bag to insectary for transplanting.

Keep The Plants Wet!

Bagging For Transport After dipping in water, we put the plants in heavy duty contractor plastic bags for immediate transport to the insectaries. 5-gal. bucket, water source, bags, shade!

Transplanting

Cyphocleonus achates – Root Boring Weevil Adults emerge Aug./Sept. Lay eggs on root crown Larvae bore into root Over winter as larvae in root Feeding in taproot and exit hole cause damage Pupate in early summer Emerge and do it all again Do not fly 29,225 last year in 2008

Agapeta zoegana - root boring moth Adults emerge spring/summer Lay eggs on lower stem Larvae hatch, mine down stem into the root Larvae over winter in root Pupate in soil early/late spring Larvae can move a short distance through soil to a new plant if theirs dies Adults disperse by flying. 2,950 in 2008

How to Make a Knapweed Insectary Cool project for idle fire crew, civic group or GREAT summer job for teacher/students Plan your site – water, long term, safety from herbicide and pesticide spray Lay out beds - to fit bird netting, plants and available space, till Transplant - mature knapweed plants tightly in rows Build corrals - to contain weevils, wind proof! Transplant areas for cages and set up cages. Water, fertilize and “weed the weeds” Receive Agapeta in early summer and Cyphocleonus in late summer.

Insectary Goals: To educate students and all people about: 1) noxious weeds and their control, 2) insects, 3) ecology, and 4) plants. To produce as many biological control agents (insects) as possible in as short a time as possible. “CONTROL WEEDS

Other Insectaries

Collect Weevils From Insectaries Hand pick when warm, labor intensive Great way for classes to spend an hour or two! Weevils either really cling or drop off and play dead Search ground/flashing junction, up on plants and stakes, focus on corners Place in suitable containers with foliage to cling to and feed on Keep weevils cool, store in cooler or refrigerator Harvest as many as you can or they will “over sting” your plants!

The Insects mass rear two species of biological control insects for spotted knapweed. Cyphocleonus achates – root boring weevil Agapeta zoegana – root boring moth Agapeta zoegana Cyphocleonus achates

Students Collecting

Questions?