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Purple Weed vs. Beetle

Posted by michael on from the needle-snake dept.

hondo77 writes "How do you deal with an invasive, non-native plant? With a non-native beetle. This AP article talks about the non-native purple loosestrife weed, which arrived in North America in the late 1800s, and how it has been choking out indigenous native plans. After a study at Cornell, the Galerucella beetle was introduced in 2000 as part of a pilot program in Massachusetts to keep the weed under control. 'From what we know, there's no downside.'"

2 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. Simpson's reference by Libertarian_Geek · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then, we get snakes to eat the bugs, then gorillas to kill the snakes. When winter comes, the gorillas will just die off. It's perfect.

    --

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  2. You knew it was coming... by Snodgrass · · Score: 4, Funny

    Skinner:
    Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.

    Lisa:
    But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?

    Skinner:
    No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.

    Lisa:
    But aren't the snakes even worse?

    Skinner:
    Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.

    Lisa:
    But then we're stuck with gorillas!

    Skinner:
    No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.