CONSERVATION CORNER

Alligator Weed Treated With Beetles

by James L. Cummins

Recently, fisheries biologists with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks have released thousands of beetles in parts of the state in hopes of controlling noxious aquatic vegetation.

Vegetation is beneficial in ponds and lakes, as any biologists will tell you. It provides oxygen and habitat for fish and fish food organisms. It's only when an abundance of vegetation accumulates in any body of water that it creates too many hiding places for small fish. This leads to an overabundant fish population that is overcrowded and stunted.

The vegetation in some state waters that concerns biologists is alligator weed. Originally from South America, it crowds out desirable native aquatic vegetation that provides superior habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife.

Often, landowners find it growing on the banks of their ponds and lakes toward deeper water. On larger impoundments, it can form thick mats that choke shallow waterways, making fishing, boating and other uses difficult or impossible.

"The standard answer for most aquatic vegetation problems is herbicides," Assistant Chief of Fisheries Bubba Hubbard said. "But few aquatic herbicides are readily available, and some are too expensive."

However, he says biological agents also can help control pests. After all, some homeowners release ladybugs or praying mantises to help with insect problems in their vegetable and flower gardens. Hubbard and others found no reason not to try the same thing in state waters plagued by unwanted aquatic vegetation.

Not long ago, state fisheries biologists released alligator weed flea beetles into several state impoundments. The flea beetles are native to the same area as alligator weed. Here's how it works.

Adult beetles feed on alligator weed leaves and lay their eggs in the stems. Once they hatch, the larvae feed on the stems from the inside before pupating and emerging as adults. The good news is that the beetles only eat alligator weed. They pose no threat to surrounding lawns, crops or other vegetation.

Beetles have been released in alligator weed on Cassidy Bayou from Webb to Sumner. Other beetles were released at Little Eagle Lake in Humphreys County, Bee Lake in Holmes County, Blue Lake in Leflore County and Ten Mile Bayou on the Sunflower Wildlife Management Area.

"The beetles will not eliminate alligator weed, but they should help control its spread," Hubbard said. "Since they cannot over winter, more beetles must be released each year."

Fisheries biologists will assess the effectiveness of the beetles as time goes by. It's one of the few times Hubbard remembers that being bugged can be such a good thing

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.