BISMARCK – Field days have been finalized at multiple North Dakota sites to collect and redistribute flea beetles that eat leafy spurge.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said persons interested in acquiring the flea beetles to release on their own property can collect them from established populations at the field day sites.
“Leafy spurge continues to be one of North Dakota’s most difficult-to-control noxious weeds,” Goehring said. “Using the flea beetles for biological control, as part of an integrated pest management plan, has proven to be an effective tool in combatting leafy spurge infestations.”
The field days are scheduled as follows:
- 10 a.m. CDT, Monday, July 8, Stutsman County - meet at the shop at 1508 4th St. NW in Jamestown
- 11 a.m. CDT, Monday, July 8 (alternate dates July 9 or 10), Benson County - 1/2 mile east of Pleasant Lake rest area, south side of Highway 2
- 10 a.m. CDT, Tuesday, July 9, Stutsman County - meet at the shop at 1508 4th St. NW in Jamestown
- 10 a.m. CDT, Wednesday, July 10, Stutsman County - meet at the shop at 1508 4th St. NW in Jamestown
- 10 a.m. MDT, Wednesday, July 10 - Billings County – Franks Creek Road north of Fryburg.
- 10 a.m. MDT, Thursday, July 11 - Grant County, co-sponsored by Morton County - Lake Tschida Boy Scout Camp
All attendees are asked to help collect and all beetles collected are distributed evenly.
Attendees should bring a cooler with ice packs to transport the flea beetles, and are asked to bring sweep nets if they have them.
More information and specific directions to field day sites are available by contacting the applicable local weed control officer:
- For Billings County, contact Katie Clyde at (701) 218-0113.
- For Stutsman County, contact Ron Manson at (701) 320-4512.
- For Grant County, contact Merlin Leithold at (701) 220-7908.
- For Benson County, contact Tim Finley at (701) 798-2776.
- For Morton County, contact Cody Schnabel at (701) 391-8006.
The field days are co-hosted by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the weed boards of Billings, Stutsman, Benson, Grant and Morton counties.