Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife: A Guide for Rearing Leaf-feeding Beetles

The following instructions are for filling out the form located here (you can print out the form, record your information directly on it and send it in).

Site Location

Enter site number and name of the site from the DNR database information provided (example: site #1, Horseshoe Lake). If the site is not in the DNR database, please fill out the form as specifically as possible; enter location (city, county, state, etc.). If Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates are available, enter them in the spaces provided.

Contact Person and Legal Landowner

Provide the name, address and telephone number of a contact person. This person can be the releaser or a local contact. If the contact person is not the legal landowner or the site is not on DNR managed wetlands, lakeshores or rivers, please provide this additional information.

Site Characteristics

Check one of the options or provide specifics if none of the options are applicable.

Road Map

Photocopy a road map (preferably a county road map) to the site from a Road Atlas and paste it into the space provided. Mark the location of the site. An arrow should indicate North on the map. If a verbal description of directions is needed, attach the description to this page.

Site and Vegetation Map

Provide a map of the area with access roads, approximation of purple loosestrife infestation outlined, other vegetation types, open water, creeks, etc. Paste the map into the space provided. Indicate, with Arabic numerals, (corresponding to numbers under Insect Releases) points of single or multiple control agent releases. An arrow should indicate North on the map.

Photographic evidence of changes in vegetation over time can be a powerful tool for presentations or to re-enforce quantitative data. One or several photo-points should be marked in the area of insect release(s) using flagging tape or stakes driven into the ground. The position of these photo-points should be indicated on the vegetation map as shown. The direction in which the picture was taken should also be indicated with an arrow. Take pictures once a year at the same time of the year. The showy flowers of purple loosestrife suggest taking pictures at the peak of the flowering period. Make sure to record which photos were taken from which location and when.

Insect Release History

Document date, control agent species, life stage (adults, eggs or larvae) and the number of individuals released. Use additional sheets if necessary. Code each release with Arabic numerals and insert number at the release point on the vegetation map. Update this field sheet as needed.

Return Forms to DNR

Once forms are filled out for each release made, one copy should be sent to:

• Purple Loosestrife Program, MN DNR
  500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
  St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

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