Insect and Weed Programs

The Insectary has ongoing biological control programs for many noxious or problem weed species including:

Approximately 30 weed predators are being cultured, released, and established on weed infestations throughout the State. In addition to the biological weed control programs, this section conducts control programs for the alfalfa weevil, and Oriental fruit moth, with a total of twelve beneficial species.

The main function of the Biological Pest Control Section is the rearing and releasing of natural enemies for control of specific plant and insect pests. To request biological pest control please contact our office. This section also acts as the State's receiving station for biological control agents. New biological control programs are being developed primarily by agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture. Foreign exploration produces several new species each year that are known to control introduced plant and insect pests. These exotic species are exposed to a strict quarantine procedure before they become available to cooperating states for general release. This insures that potentially hazardous species are not accidentally introduced with the beneficial insects.