Objectives: To identify, screen, multiply, propagate and release weed
biocontrol agents for control of Canada thistle. In the long term, the
purpose is to reduce the vigour of Canada thistle in headlands and
cultivated areas so that the weed will become a poor competitor and
therefore, less of a problem. The specific objectives are: 1) Mass
rearing, release and further distribution of Lema cyanella L. for field
study. Intensive survey to determine area of spread from release at
Vegreville in 1994. 2) Screening of Cassida sp. for future release on
Canada thistle. 3) Mass rearing and release of the Chinese strain of
Altica carduorum Guer-Men. for study (This objective is contingent on
approval of release - all screening has been completed and authorization
for release appears imminent).
Abstract: Forthcoming
Contact: R.A. Butts
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Crop Sciences Section
P.O. Box 3000
Lethbridge, AB
T1J 4B1
Phone: 403-327-4561
For further information contact: Alberta Agricultural Research
Institute, J.G. O'Donoghue Building, #202, 7000 - 113 Street,
Edmonton AB T6H 5T6
Phone: (403) 427-1956 Fax: (403) 427-3252