Additional field day scheduled to collect spurge-eating insects

BISMARCK - An additional field day has been finalized to collect and redistribute flea beetles that eat leafy spurge.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said persons interested in acquiring the flea beetles to release on their own property can collect them from established populations at the field day site.

"Leafy spurge continues to be one of North Dakota's most difficult-to-control noxious weeds," Goehring said. "Using the flea beetles for biological control, as part of an integrated pest management plan, has proven to be an effective tool in managing most leafy spurge infestations."

The additional field days is as follows:

• Benson County - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, July 9 (alternate date Wednesday, July 10 in case of inclement weather) - one-half mile east of Pleasant Lake rest area, on the south side of Highway 2. Nets and refreshments provided.

All attendees are asked to help collect and all beetles collected are distributed evenly. Attendees should bring a cooler with ice packs to transport the flea beetles and are asked to bring sweep nets if they have them.

More information and specific directions to field day site is available by contacting Benson County Weed Board Chairman Tim Finley at (701) 798-2776.

The field day is co-hosted by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the weed board of Benson County.