The Milfoil weevil is a small water bug that may be able to rescue suffering ecosystems. This little bug may be very helpful because it eats the invasive plant known as milfoil and poses no threat to humanity.
There are two types of milfoil to be found in the United States. One is indigenous and the other invasive (Eurasian Milfoil). The native species is not a trouble but the Eurasian one is a major environmental threat. The milfoil weevil now enjoys great popularity thanks to its love for the Eurasian Milfoil.
Eurasian Milfoil (the primary milfoil that will be referenced from this point on) probably came to The Us between the 1800's and the 19404's as an unwelcome passenger on some large ship. Because milfoil can attach to any part of the bottom of a ship and spreads quick, it can cause vast and unwelcome shifts in the environment and make problems for humanity. Gratefully the milfoil weevil can be spread the same way.
It propagates quickly and destroys ecosystems by choking out the native flora life which reduces food for water fowl, reduces habitat for fry, and reducing fishing by beasts. The mats formed by the milfoil do not allow the wind to bring refreshing oxygen to the water and this will result in the ultimate death of fish and a rush in algae growth.
For humans, milfoil growth means a loss of boating, bathing, fishing and waterskiing areas. In communities, the dense mats could cause floods and droughts because of clogged intake or overflow pipes. The mats can be particularly destructive to dams by breaking or clotting generators and reducing electricity production.
One small weevil could hold the solution to the milfoil dilemma. The milfoil weevil favors Eurasian milfoil to the native variety, which means that the invasive species are destroyed over time and native plants are allowed to bit by bit recover. Add to that the number of generations of milfoil weevils per year (at least 3) and you have a natural pest remover with none of the troubles associated with other ways. When taking into consideration how quick the milfoil propagates, it is plain that weevils are the perfect answer to controlling the problem.
This water flora spread quickly because broken pieces can sink to the bottom and easily form new floras. Marine harvesting devices are not successful because they break the plant and bits come off and replant themselves elsewhere. Vacuum dredging works a small better because no broken bits are left behind, but at the same time the vacuum disrupts the water and may leave no plant life at the bottom.
The milfoil weevil will destroy the whole flora by digging into the stem and eating from the inside out, which will kill the flora. With only thirty days to live, the milfoil weevils will go through three generations before coming ashore for the winter. The weevils do have wings, but have never been seen flying, so whether they swim or fly ashore will remain a mystery. The weevils are hearty small bugs and once they are introduced to an area, they can survive the harshest weather.
There are two types of milfoil to be found in the United States. One is indigenous and the other invasive (Eurasian Milfoil). The native species is not a trouble but the Eurasian one is a major environmental threat. The milfoil weevil now enjoys great popularity thanks to its love for the Eurasian Milfoil.
Eurasian Milfoil (the primary milfoil that will be referenced from this point on) probably came to The Us between the 1800's and the 19404's as an unwelcome passenger on some large ship. Because milfoil can attach to any part of the bottom of a ship and spreads quick, it can cause vast and unwelcome shifts in the environment and make problems for humanity. Gratefully the milfoil weevil can be spread the same way.
It propagates quickly and destroys ecosystems by choking out the native flora life which reduces food for water fowl, reduces habitat for fry, and reducing fishing by beasts. The mats formed by the milfoil do not allow the wind to bring refreshing oxygen to the water and this will result in the ultimate death of fish and a rush in algae growth.
For humans, milfoil growth means a loss of boating, bathing, fishing and waterskiing areas. In communities, the dense mats could cause floods and droughts because of clogged intake or overflow pipes. The mats can be particularly destructive to dams by breaking or clotting generators and reducing electricity production.
One small weevil could hold the solution to the milfoil dilemma. The milfoil weevil favors Eurasian milfoil to the native variety, which means that the invasive species are destroyed over time and native plants are allowed to bit by bit recover. Add to that the number of generations of milfoil weevils per year (at least 3) and you have a natural pest remover with none of the troubles associated with other ways. When taking into consideration how quick the milfoil propagates, it is plain that weevils are the perfect answer to controlling the problem.
This water flora spread quickly because broken pieces can sink to the bottom and easily form new floras. Marine harvesting devices are not successful because they break the plant and bits come off and replant themselves elsewhere. Vacuum dredging works a small better because no broken bits are left behind, but at the same time the vacuum disrupts the water and may leave no plant life at the bottom.
The milfoil weevil will destroy the whole flora by digging into the stem and eating from the inside out, which will kill the flora. With only thirty days to live, the milfoil weevils will go through three generations before coming ashore for the winter. The weevils do have wings, but have never been seen flying, so whether they swim or fly ashore will remain a mystery. The weevils are hearty small bugs and once they are introduced to an area, they can survive the harshest weather.
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Before you purchase Milfoil Weevil, make sure you visit Dave Duncan's excellent website on Milfoil Weevil, www.milfoilweevil.com
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