Dalmatian Toadflax Insects Available

The Whitehall Biological Control Project of Jefferson County will be collecting Dalmatian toadflax stem boring weevils (Mecinus janthiniformis) these next few weeks. These insects effect only the noxious weed Dalmatian toadflax. The adults are emerging now, and they damage the leaves. They lay eggs on the stems of the plant and the larvae mine (eat tunnels) within the stem. The larvae cause the most damage. If you would like a release for your land, please contact us during normal business hours: Kendra: 406-565-7626 or Todd: 406-498-5236 or JeffCo Weed District: 406-225-4165. Collecting is very weather dependent, and all biocontrol insects are emerging 2-3 weeks behind recent years because we are having a nice cool, wet spring. We may also have insects/biocontrols for yellow toadflax, Russian knapweed, leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, and Canada thistle, as the summer progresses. We give the insects away at no cost however, we ask for a voluntary donation for matching grant funds.