Beetle Monitoring

2007-2011 Critical Monitoring of Tamarisk
Leaf Beetle Activities on the Colorado Plateau

2011 - Beetle Monitoring Happenings

2011 Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Monitoring Protocol - Please find in the link below to the new and improved 2011 monitoring protocol which includes information about a new bio-control bug in the system, the tamarisk weevil, a cleaned up data form, and all the information you need to record data on the tamarisk leaf beetle's progress and impacts. Happy sweeping!!

2011 Protocol

2010 - Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Monitoring Information

The Tamarisk Coalition, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, U. of California Santa Barbara and a whole host of partners have completed a fourth year of tamarisk leaf beetle monitoring. The results of the 2010 monitoring are available below as a map and report. Data is available upon request, please contact Season Martin for more information. The Tamarisk Coalition is hosting numerous public presentations in various cities across the monitoring area to communicate this information to land managers and others in these communities.

• 2010 Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Monitoring Report

Background

Biological control, or bio-control, uses specific organisms to control an undesirable organism, in this case tamarisk. The tamarisk biological control agent, Diorhabda carinulata, is providing an active 2,000 mile experiment throughout the upper Colorado Plateau. Diorhabda spp., or the tamarisk leaf beetle, works to control tamarisk by repeatedly defoliating the plant over several years. Preliminary evidence of effectiveness shows great potential. If effective, biocontrol offers some significant advantages over other tamarisk control approaches; i.e., limited use of herbicides and a cost-effectiveness. 

Monitoring these beetle populations is critical to provide insight and data on their direct and indirect impacts on the riparian ecosystem. In 2007, the Tamarisk Coalition, in partnership with the Palisade Insectary, identified the need for this immensely important activity and made the decision to initiate beetle monitoring efforts on the Colorado and Green Rivers.

• 2007-2011 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (NEW)
• 2011 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (Updated)
• 2010 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (Updated)
• 2009 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (Updated)
• 2008 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (Updated)
• 2007 Diorhabda carinulata Distribution Map (Updated)

The Coalition’s monitoring program is part of a multi-year effort to support a body of knowledge that will determine the distribution of the beetle, Diorhabda spp., as well as vegetative response, on these three river systems. The goals of this monitoring program are -

1. To obtain data concerning the dispersal and establishment of Diorhabda spp.;
2. To monitor tamarisk defoliation;
3. To identify the response of native vegetation and of invasive weed species to tamarisk bio-control.

In 2009 and 2010, the Tamarisk Coalition was awarded grants to undertake a more comprehensive monitoring effort characterizing diverse ecosystem changes that may accompany the Diorhabda beetles. Tamarisk Coalition field crews will spend late May to early September systematically measuring beetle activity and vegetative responses in the designated survey area. Additionally, biologists from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory will perform bird population surveys in order to monitor potential impacts to bird populations in riparian areas. At the end of the field season, the data collected will be disseminated to researchers, resource managers, and the general public. The project goal is to paint a clear picture of a changing ecosystem and to facilitate efficient management of the affected riparian areas.

Monitoring Protocols

In general the goal of the biological control monitoring protocol is to define when, where, and how many Diorhabda spp. are in existence across the region. Within that we then want to have a good idea of where defoliating sized populations exist, where newly aggregated populations are rising, and where beetles have yet to spread to. This protocol is designed to be fast and efficient and answer only basic questions about Diorhabda spp. distribution and abundance. It can be utilized on and off the river and should be a basic protocol for establishing the degree of beetle presence in an area.

Safety

Established safety protocols are followed for both river and camping safety. Two-person field crews have at least one technician certified in Wilderness First Responder on all trips. Appropriate river use and research permits have been acquired from both the BLM and National Park Service (BLM permit # J-381, NPS permit # 51838). Additionally, all field crews follow Leave No Trace practices to minimize their impact on the riparian corridor.

The Tamarisk Coalition would like to acknowledge the following beetle monitoring partners: