Saltcedar Tree Meets the Chinese Beetle

This leaf-eating beetle was purposely released into strategic areas across Nevada in hopes that it would eventually kill the extremely invasive saltcedar trees.

In Nevada, highly invasive saltcedar trees have taken over many of the state's streambanks and lakeshores. However, a small Chinese beetle, Diorhabda elongata, may be the big stick needed to combat these greedy invaders. Originally brought to the United States as ornamental trees and soil stabilizers, saltcedar trees (also known as tamarisks) suck up large amounts of water, compete with native vegetation, and have had a dramatic impact on Nevada agriculture, water levels, wildlife and riparian bird habitats. Unlike the bark beetles that have plagued pine trees in the Lake Tahoe basin, these beetles were introduced on purpose. According to Tom Dudley, associate research professor at the University of Nevada's Department of natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, ?EUR??,,????'??When the beetle eats as little as five percent of a saltcedar, the remaining foliage dries up, causing as much as 100 percent defoliation and ultimately killing the tree. Until the introduction of this beetle, the Nevada Division of Wildlife has treated the problem with herbicides, however the beetle is a promising alternative as well as the first USDA-approved biological control of saltcedar in the United States. Nevada is one of eight states where research is being conducted under the ?EUR??,,????'??Saltcedar Biological Control Consortium,?EUR??,,????'?? a multi-agency and multi-partner effort that also includes private interests such as the Cattlemen's Association and The Nature Conservancy.