Can you say CYPHOCLEONUS ACHATES? They are more commonly known as ROOT BORING WEEVILS.  This past summer, about 300 weevils were released along the Piltzville Trail, in an effort to attack the knapweed.  Some of the bugs came from the Ravalli County Weed District and some came from a local company who grows the bugs specifically for knapweed abatement.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

This is the cool part.  Bugs are released in the hot summer months.  They find a partner, mate and go underground to lay their eggs.  The eggs hatch in the spring, and baby weevils begin to eat at the roots of the knapweed, seriously damaging the health of the plant.   It may take up to three years to kill the entire plant, but it is very successful and permanent. Each year, volunteers for Montana and Ravalli County weed districts collect the bugs and sell them or give them away for a donation to help defray costs.

The next step is to plant replacement native grass seed and native plants to fill in the area.  Native plants from Sentinel High School’s Diversity garden were planted this spring, and next year we’ll see if they survived the freezing, raining and heat of the seasons.  Donations of plants or drought tolerant seeds are always welcome as is donation of time to pick up garbage, thin dead tree limbs and dig out other undesirable plants.

For more information or to donate time or supplies, contact Sue Furey, 258-2888 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .