June 2, 2010
Galerucella Beetle Release
This year's shipment of 5000 Galerucella beetles was released in the wetland north of Little Fresh Pond by Emily Tansey of the Cambridge Water Department (left photo.) These insects are raised commercially because they eat and can successfully control the invasive perennial Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) that displaces native plants in wetland areas such as the one on the Reservation. The tiny insects quickly settled on the leaves of the loosestrife plants. Beetles were also purchased and released in 2007 and 2009.