Weevils to control salvinia

caddobass · February 01, 2009, 11:01:29 AM

I just read this in my Bass Times, two strands of salvinia weevils have been introduced into Louisiana waters in an effort to control common & giant salvinia. The goal is to get a high enough weevil population so they keep salvinia to a level that is controllable,"unfortunately eradication is not really a option".
About 500 common salvinia weevils were released in August 2008 into the Atchafalaya Basin, Blind River, Cheniere Lake, Lake St. John, Pearl River and Bundick Lake.
Giant salvinia weevils were grown in a small pond by LSU Ag-Center, and populations were then moved in October 2008 to waters across the state. They were later placed in Bayou des Allemands, Lake Salavador, Turkey Creek Reservoir, Atchafalaya Basin, Toledo Bend, Clear/Smithport Lake, Loggy Bayou, Black Bayou Lake in Caddo Parish, Caddo Lake, Wallace Lake and the Red River's fourth pool.
Chemical spraying will continue while the weevil population grows, but the states aquatic plant control program could be enhanced if the weevils successfully manage salvinia.

Jared LeBlue · February 01, 2009, 11:04:26 AM

I sure hope it works.

BIG PAPA · February 01, 2009, 11:11:11 AM

Me too

Hawgwild · February 01, 2009, 11:14:24 AM

Great news....I've heard they were placed in Bistineau also...hope so...

Eric L. · February 01, 2009, 01:45:32 PM

I just hope the weevils don't become a new problem and years from now we wish we had the salvinia back...

caddobass · February 01, 2009, 05:04:50 PM

Quote from: Eric L. on February 01, 2009, 01:45:32 PM
I just hope the weevils don't become a new problem and years from now we wish we had the salvinia back...

I was thinking the same......

Berniep · February 02, 2009, 08:48:59 AM

Can they survive in this cold weather we've been having? I thought I read somewhere that they can't tolerate temperatures in the 20's.

caddobass · February 03, 2009, 01:44:28 PM

From what I've read, "weevil's are among the worst insect pests that attack farm crops". They lay their eggs in the stalk, seed, or fruit of the plant. The grub then feeds on these plant parts, causing great damage. I don't know what type of cold they can handle, but I sure hope they only like salvinia.