Knapweed-eating weevils that were released at Rimrock Ranch to combat the invasive species. Photo: Staff.

Volunteers recently helped collect 200 knapweed root weevils at a vacant lot in Bend. These small insects are used to weaken invasive knapweed giving native species a chance to re-establish. The weevils were released on a patch of knapweed at Rimrock Ranch and the Land Trust will monitor them to watch for their expansion and their progress in controlling the spread of knapweed. The weevils are providing a great, low-risk opportunity to experiment with various methods of knapweed control. Funding for knapweed control is provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Landowner Incentive Program.