Unanticipated effects of using gall-flies to control spotted knapweed
We have talked a lot about knapweed on this forum because of its negative consequences for wildlife habitat.
Biocontrol has been pushed as an alternative to herbicides, but this is bad news.
“ScienceDaily (Sep. 5, 2008) — Biocontrol agents, such as insects, are often released outside of their native ranges to control invasive plants.”
Read the rest below. ↓
Biocontrol Insect Exacerbates an Invasive Weed.
I should add that deer mice are also the primary carriers of hantavirus.
It should also be noted that many other kinds of biocontrols are being used on knapweed, not gall-flies alone.
– – – –
A good related letter on elk, deer, moose, wolves and knapweed. Missoulian. “Knapweed is also taking a toll on deer, elk.“

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Join 1,000 other subscribersRecent Posts
- Save Wild Bison December 1, 2023
- Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas November 28, 2023
- The Dept of Interior Bans M-44s or Cyanide Bombs On BLM Lands November 22, 2023
- Montana Headwaters Legacy Act Introduced November 17, 2023
- How the Media and Some Researchers Mislead The Public On Prescribed Burning November 15, 2023
Recent Comments
- Jeff Hoffman on Save Wild Bison
- Jeff Hoffman on Save Wild Bison
- Ida Lupine on Save Wild Bison
- Jerry Thiessen on Save Wild Bison
- Ida Lupine on Save Wild Bison
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Ida Lupine on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Robert Raven on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas
- Jeff Hoffman on Livestock Grazing In Wilderness Areas