Camille Peterson

M.K. Dorje Jr. wrote:Thank you Camille. I'm interested in hearing more about these weevils, and just how effective they might be as a long-term control solution for these plants. But I also want to make sure these beneficial insects (weevils) don't wind up causing a whole new set of problems.

Picked my bosses brain at length today. You are right to proceed with caution. However, there are some beneficial insect options which have been tested by the USDA to ensure that they are indeed solving problems without causing others. It is entirely too easy to order something that would bring regret into play later on. We have been releasing bruchidius villosus. These feed on brooms and only brooms. Your peas would be just fine. I have no idea how they would do in another area. Her suggestion was that you touch base with your local noxious weed office and see what they might be utilizing. As I mentioned before, at this point we are seeing an elimination of spread, or at the very least a great reduction in spread, of scotch broom. In theory these weevils will do in the plants but we have not experienced that yet. With as much broom as we have, I suspect it would take a much larger weevil population to bring that about. Hope that helps at least some.

M.K. Dorje Jr. wrote: I would like to hear more about the seed weevil and if they actually help control the spread of this plant in the Northwest. (Also, does the broom weevil eat pea seeds?- I have a terrible problem with weevils in my pea seeds when I try saving them.) Anyone out there have experience with "Broom weevils" as a beneficial insect?

I recently began working in the office of my local noxious weeds board in Washington state. We just released another set of broom weevils today. They have been employing this tactic for at least five years. Technically it is expected that the weevils will do in the plant, however, this has not been the norm as of yet. While they are over-wintering well it is suspected we simply haven't reached a high enough ratio of weevils to plants. Apparently they have been effective in slowing, if not eliminating, the spread of scotch broom. A step in the right direction for these parts. The weevil babies eat the seeds and I was told they are specific to brooms and only brooms.

Helped a friend clear their ditches of these last year. Made the mistake of burning them. They went up as fast and hot as tumbleweeds.Thank goodness it wasn't a huge pile!

Hope that helps. If you have specific questions, I can make it a point to get them answered for you. I'll pick the bosses brain about the peas this weekend.