Knapweed is a Eurasian plant introduced to America circa 1893. Knapweed root weevils are a bug that voraciously eats knapweed. Bugs have been imported that are the natural enemies of the plant, They eat it. Government people like the bug's ability to destroy as much as 99% of a knapweed infestation. One wonders though if the bugs are safe for domestic animals they bite? if knapweed weevils do harm animals as well as knapweeds, would the government admit it?It is difficult getting a strait answer from government sometimes. If a knapweed root weevil bites the nose of a dog and hangs on could its eggs grow in the dog's nose? If knapweed larvae grow in dog food could they harm the dog if the food is consumed? if knapweed weevils do harm animals as well as knapweeds, would the government admit it?
Incidentally the weevils are collected and sold by some for their prowess at decimating knapweed.
http://store.msuextension.org/publications/agandnaturalresources/mt199915ag.pdf
http://store.msuextension.org/publications/agandnaturalresources/mt199915ag.pdf
mage credit: Montana State Univ. root boring napweed weevil
