F
rom June through September,
you may see explosions of
purple flowers along some
Nebraska waterways. As
beautiful as they are, purple
loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a
noxious weed, an ornamental plant from
Europe first introduced to the northeastern
United States for landscaping in the 1800s.
Since then, this invasive species has invaded
much of Nebraska's wetland habitats, quickly
taking over slow moving, shallow areas
along rivers, creeks and ditches, and drastically
lowering the areas' biodiversity, productivity and
economic value.
Hungry Beetles
In Niobrara, Nebraska, purple loosestrife is
a problem, but it also serves as a learning
opportunity in wetland conservation for
Sharla Hanzlik's 10
th
grade biology
class at Niobrara High School.
What started as a one-day
community service event in
2005 has turned into a year-long, comprehensive
conservation program passed from one 10
th
grade class to
the next.
With collaboration and support from the Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Lower Niobrara Natural Resource District, Missouri
National Recreational River and several County Invasive
Species boards, the students are helping to combat purple
loosestrife by biological means: Galerucella beetles. These
Purple
Plague
By Jenny Nguyen
Tenth grade students at
Niobrara High School fight
purple loosestrife in their
backyard. Their award-
winning project has been
recognized by the EPA.
Galerucella beetles (Galerucella
calmariensis) feed on purple
loosestrife plants.
28 NEBRASKAland • JULY 2016
PHOTO
BY
MIKE
FORSBERG
