Whitehall Biological Weed Control Project

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Whitehall Biological Weed Control Project Providing Insects, information, and services for South Western Montana’s Noxious W**d Problem.

spotted knapw**d plants severely damaged by the spotted knapw**d root boring weevil Cyphocleonus achates. Note last yea...
07/31/2026

spotted knapw**d plants severely damaged by the spotted knapw**d root boring weevil Cyphocleonus achates. Note last years old dead flowering stems compared to this years' growth that is short, stunted and sick looking with few flowers. These plants will very likely die before next summer. Photos by Todd Breitenfeldt, a few miles north of Whitehall, MT.
We are now collecting the spotted knapw**d root boring weevil (2500 so far). Contact us if you would like to be put on the list for a release.
Photo of the adult weevil on thumb by Ava Balough.

We are finished with leafy spurge flea beetle and spurge redheaded root boring beetles for this 2026 season. We are con...
07/23/2026

We are finished with leafy spurge flea beetle and spurge redheaded root boring beetles for this 2026 season. We are continuing to transplant knapw**d and whitetop into the insectary at Whitehall high school.
Next week (or the 1st week in Aug.) we should start collecting the spotted knapw**d root boring weevil (Cypho for short). You can still get on the list for this great weevil if you would like a release.

Market Value of Bioagents Collected 2003-2025:The Whitehall Biological W**d Control Project's main focus is noxious w**d...
07/17/2026

Market Value of Bioagents Collected 2003-2025:

The Whitehall Biological W**d Control Project's main focus is noxious w**d control education. As part of this we collect and mass rear bioagents for redistribution to landowners in Montana. Since much of our funding comes from the Montana Noxious W**d Trust Fund and the Montana Department of Transportation, we give these insects to landowners at no cost. They are welcome to make a donation to the program.

Total Dollar Value of Insects Collected From: 2003-2025 = $1,428,608.00

Below is the market value of the insects the Project had worked with each year:
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Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2003:
Aphthona spp.: 252,000/500 = 504 releases of 500 @ $50 = $25,200
Oberea erythrocephala: 3160/110 = 29 releases of 110 @ $225 = $6,525
Larinus minutus: 17,468/105 = 166 releases of 110 @ $100 = $16,600
Cyphocleonus achates: 2,272/105 = 22 releases of 105 @ $105 = $2,310
Agapeta zoegana: 700/105 = 6 releases of 105 @ $200 = $1,200
Total……………………………………………………….. $51,835

Market Value of Bioagents Distributed in 2004:
Aphthona spp.: 1,827,500/500 = 3,655 releases of 500 @ $50 = $182,750 (We released in units of 3,000 or 7,500 however, many of the larger releases were divided into multiple releases by the land owners).
Oberea erythrocephala: 2,778/110 = 25 releases of 110 @ $225 = $5,625
Larinus minutus: 22,360/105 = 212 releases of 110 @ $100 = $21,200
Cyphocleonus achates: 0/105 = 22 releases of 105 @ $105 = $0.0
Agapeta zoegana: 315/105 = 3 releases of 105 @ $200 = $600
Total……………………………………………………….. $210,175

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed by WHE Project in 2005:
Aphthona spp.: 1,611,500/500 = 3,223 releases of 500 @ $50 = $161,150
[1,500,000 collected on Grassrange trip with BLM and Teachers attending Whitehall Project summer class. BLM and teachers took many releases (about 1/3) to their lands and counties for their programs. The rest were released locally by many happy landowners.]
Oberea erythrocephala: 2,485/110 = 22 releases of 110 @ $225 = $4,950
Larinus minutus: 24,165/105 = 230 releases of 105 @ $100 = $23,000
Cyphocleonus achates: 2,721 = 25 releases of 105 @ $105 = $2,625
Agapeta zoegana: 1,400/105 = 13 releases of 105 @ $200 = $2,600
Total………………………………………………………..$194,325

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed by WHE Project in 2006:
Aphthona spp.: 834,000/500 = 1,668 releases of 500 @ $50 = $83,400
[750,000 collected on Grass Range trip with BLM and Teachers attending Whitehall Project summer class. BLM and teachers took many releases (about 1/3) to their lands and counties for their programs. The rest were released locally by many happy landowners.]
Oberea erythrocephala: 492/110 = 4 releases of 110 @ $225 = $440
Larinus minutus: 3,291/105 = 31 releases of 105 @ $100 = $3,100
Cyphocleonus achates: 6,009/105 = 57 releases of 105 @ $105 = $5,985
Agapeta zoegana: 2,292/105 = 22 releases of 105 @ $200 = $4,400
Total………………………………………………………..$97,325

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed by WHE Project in 2007:
Aphthona spp.: 405,000/500 = 810 releases of 500 @ $50 = $40,500
Oberea erythrocephala: 1,312/110 = 12 releases of 110 @ $225 = $2,700
Larinus minutus: 11,130/105 = 106 releases of 105 @ $100 = $10,600
Cyphocleonus achates: 29,295/105 = 279 releases of 105 @ $105 = $29,295
Agapeta zoegana: 2,950/105 = 28 releases of 105 @ $200 = $5,600
Mecinus janthinus: 2,000/105 = 19 releases of 105 @ $100 = $1,900
Total………………………………………………………..$90,595

---------------------------------------------------Crew size cut by several workers---------------------------------------------------------

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2008:
Aphthona spp.: 291,000/500 = 582 releases of 500 @ $50 = $29,100
Oberea erythrocephala: 1,882/110 = 17 releases of 110 @ $225 = $3,825
Larinus minutus: 5110/105 = 49 releases of 105 @ $100 = $4,900
Cyphocleonus achates: 5706/105 = 54 releases of 105 @ $105 = $5670
Agapeta zoegana: 465/105 = 4 releases of 105 @ $200 = $800
Mecinus janthinus: 500/105 = 5 releases of 105 @ $100 = $500
Total………………………………………………………..$44,795

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2009:
Aphthona spp.: 216,000/500 = 432 releases of 500 @ $50 = $21,600
Oberea erythrocephala: 5,841/110 = 53 releases of 110 @ $225 = $11,925
Larinus minutus: 5900/105 = 56 releases of 105 @ $100 = $5,600
Cyphocleonus achates: 14,284/105 = 136 releases of 105 @ $105 = $14,280
Agapeta zoegana: 489/105 = 4 releases of 105 @ $200 = $800
Mecinus janthinus: 0/105 = 0 releases of 105 @ $100 = $0
Total………………………………………………………..$54,205

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2010:
Aphthona spp.: 231,200/500 = 426 releases of 500 @ $50 = $23,100
Oberea erythrocephala: 755/110 = 7 releases of 110 @ $225 = $1,575
Larinus minutus: 1082/105 = 56 releases of 105 @ $100 = $1,000
Cyphocleonus achates: 7,500/105 = 71 releases of 105 @ $105 = $7,455
[319 releases of Cypho. went to the I-90 Cypho Project and are not included in this value]
Agapeta zoegana: 20/105 = 0 releases of 105 @ $200 = $0
Mecinus janthinus: 5,165/105 = 49 releases of 105 @ $100 = $4,900
Total………………………………………………………..$38,030

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2011:
Aphthona spp.: 444,000/500 = 888releases of 500 @ $50 = $44,400
Oberea erythrocephala: 567/110 = 5 releases of 110 @ $225 = $1,125
Larinus minutus: 2,572/105 = 24 releases of 105 @ $100 = $2,400
Cyphocleonus achates: 11,213/105 = 106 releases of 105 @ $105 = $11,130
Mecinus janthinus: 19,800/105 = 188 releases of 105 @ $100 = $18,800
Total………………………………………………………..$77,855

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2012:
Aphthona spp.: 429,500/500 = 859 releases of 500 @ $50 = $42,950
Oberea erythrocephala: 1,171/110 = 10 releases of 110 @ $225 = $2,250
Larinus minutus: 2,782/105 = 26 releases of 105 @ $100 = $2,600
Cyphocleonus achates: 7,133/105 = 67 releases of 105 @ $105 = $7,035
Mecinus janthinus: 10,500/105 = 100 releases of 105 @ $100 = $10,000
Hadroplontus litura: 2,400/105 = 22 releases of 105 @ $200 = $4,400
Jaapeilla: 100+ galls …………in insectary................…………………= $1,000 ?
Total………………………………………………………..$69,235

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2013:
Aphthona spp.: 86,300/500 = 172 releases of 500 @ $50 = $8,600
Oberea erythrocephala: 1,391/110 = 12 releases of 110 @ $225 = $2,700
Larinus minutus: 225/105 = 2 releases of 105 @ $100 = $200
Cyphocleonus achates: 5,261/105 = 50 releases of 105 @ $105 = $5,250
Mecinus janthinus: 5,000/105 = 47 releases of 105 @ $100 = $4,700
Jaapeilla: 21 releases of about 20+ galls each @ $100/release = 2,100
Total………………………………………………………..$23,550

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2014:
Aphthona spp.: 40,500/500 = 81 releases of 500 @ $50 = $4,050
Cyphocleonus achates: 4,500/105 = 42 releases of 105 @ $105 = $4,410
Mecinus janthinus: 2,500/105 = 23 releases of 105 @ $100 = $2,300
Jaapeilla: 26 releases of about 20+ galls each @ $100/release = 2,600
Total………………………………………………………..$13,360

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2015:
Aphthona spp.: 243,000/500 = 486 releases of 500 @ $50 = $24,300
Oberea erythrocephala: 1,040/110 = 9 releases of 110 @ $150 = $1,350
Cyphocleonus achates: 15,242/105 = 145 releases of 105 @ $100 = $14,500
Mecinus janthinus: 10,250/105 = 97 releases of 105 @ $100 = $9,700
Jaapeilla: 151 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $453
Total………………………………………………………..$50,303.00

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2016:
Aphthona spp.: 484,000/500 = 968 releases of 500 @ $50 = $48,400
Oberea erythrocephala: 2,983/110 = 27 releases of 110 @ $150 = $2,970
Cyphocleonus achates: 18,900/105 = 180 releases of 105 @ $100 = $18,000
Mecinus janthinaformus: 21,500/105 = 205 releases of 105 @ $100 = 20,500
Mecinus janthinus (yellow tf): 1,800/105 = 17 releases of 105 @ $100 = $1,700
Jaapeilla: 160 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $480
Aulacida acroptilonica: 1,520 plus some galls = 3,000
Total………………………………………………………..$95,050.00

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2017:
Aphthona spp.: 184,500/500 = 369 releases of 500 @ $50 = $18,450
Oberea erythrocephala: 755/110 = 7 releases of 110 @ $150 = $1,050
Cyphocleonus achates: 18,800/105 = 179 releases of 105 @ $100 = $17,900
Mecinus janthinaformus: 17,750/105 = 169 releases of 105 @ $100 = 16,900
Mecinus janthinus (yellow tf): 300/105 = 3 releases of 105 @ $100 = $300
Jaapeilla: 105 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $315
Aulacida acroptilonica: 14,015 plus some galls @ $1/insect = $15,000
Total………………………………………………………..$56,415.00

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2018:
Aphthona spp.: 94,000/500 = 188 releases of 500 @ $50 = $9,400 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: 300/110 = 3 releases of 110 @ $150 = $450 (we included some into many Aphthona releases)
Cyphocleonus achates: 8,600/105 = 82 releases of 105 @ $100 = $8,200 (our good site near Anaconda is crashing)
Mecinus janthinaformus: 14,750/105 = 141 releases of 105 @ $100 = $14,100
Mecinus janthinus (yellow tf): 300/105 = 3 releases of 105 @ $100 = $300
Jaapeilla: 200 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $600
Aulacida acroptilonica: 200 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $600
Total………………………………………………………..$33,650

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2019:
Aphthona spp.: 156,000/500 = 312 releases of 500 @ $50 = $15,600 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: 800/110 = 7 releases of 110 @ $150 = $1050 (we included some into many Aphthona releases)
Cyphocleonus achates: 15,200/105 = 145 releases of 105 @ $100 = $14,500 (our good site near Anaconda is crashing, mostly collected in Darby)
Mecinus janthinaformus: 4,100/105 = 39 releases of 105 @ $100 = $3,900
Mecinus janthinus (yellow tf): 300/105 = 3 releases of 105 @ $100 = $300
Jaapeilla: 100 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $300
Aulacida acroptilonica: 100 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $300
Total………………………………………………………..$35,950

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2020:
Aphthona spp.: 128,000/500 = 256 releases of 500 @ $50 = $12,800 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: (we included some into many Aphthona releases but, did not count any dollar value)
Cyphocleonus achates: 13,900/105 = 132 releases of 105 @ $100 = $13,200 (our good site near Anaconda is crashing, mostly collected in Darby)
Mecinus janthinaformus: 15,500/105 = 148 releases of 105 @ $100 = $14,800
Jaapeilla: 80 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $240
Aulacida acroptilonica: 35 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $105
Puccinia punctiformis: 10 releases @ $200/release = $2,000.
Total………………………………………………………..$43,145

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2021:
Aphthona spp.: 112,000/500 = 224 releases of 500 @ $50 = $11,200 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: (we included some into many Aphthona releases but, did not count any dollar value)
Cyphocleonus achates: 10,500/105 = 100 releases of 105 @ $100 = $10,000
Mecinus janthinaformus: 16,000/105 = 152 releases of 105 @ $100 = $15,200
Jaapeilla: 180 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $540
Aulacida acroptilonica: 155 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $465
Puccinia punctiformis: 10 releases @ $200/release = $2,000.
Total………………………………………………………..$39,405

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2022:
Aphthona spp.: 96,000/500 = 198 releases of 500 @ $50 = $9,900 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: 100/100 per special request. One release = $100. We included them in many Aphthona releases but did not count any dollar value.
Cyphocleonus achates: 8,300/100 = 83 releases of 100 @ $100 = $8,300
Mecinus janthinaformus: 9,500/100 = 95 releases of 100 @ $100 = $9,500
Jaapeilla: 300 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $900
Aulacida acroptilonica: 115 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $345.
Total………………………………………………………..$28,745

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2023:
Aphthona spp.: 99,000/500 = 192 releases of 500 @ $50 = $9,600 (we collected many more as a crew on the large collection trips we made – we gave them to the other attendees and did not count them as being ours)
Oberea erythrocephala: 300/100 = three releases @$100 = $300. We included them in many Aphthona releases but did not count any dollar value.
Cyphocleonus achates: 10,600/100 = 106 releases of 100 @ $100 = $10,600
Mecinus janthinaformus: 5,600/100 = 56 releases of 100 @ $100 = $5,600
Jaapeilla ivannikovi: 37 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $111
Aulacida acroptilonica: 42 galls each @ $3.00/gall = $126
Puccinia punctiformis: 8 releases @ $200/release = $1,600.
Total………………………………………………………..$27,937*
*2023 was a very rainy year and many of our good collection sites crashed. Therefore, we were not able to collect as many insects as hoped.

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2024:
Aphthona spp.: 55,500/500 = 111 releases of 500 @ $50 = $5,550
Oberea erythrocephala: 400/100 = three releases @$100 = $400.
Cyphocleonus achates: 5,400/100 = 54 releases of 100 @ $100 = $5,400
Mecinus janthinaformus: 4,500/100 = 45 releases of 100 @ $100 = $4,500
Aceria drabae: 10 releases (53 galls) = $500/release = $5,000
Total………………………………………………………..$20,850**

Market Value of Bioagents Collected/Distributed in 2025:
Aphthona spp.: 120,000/1,200 = 100 releases of 1,200 @ $175 = $17,500
Oberea erythrocephala: 200/100 = two releases of 100 @$100 = $200.
Cyphocleonus achates: 9,100/100 = 91 releases of 100 @ $100 = $9,100
Mecinus janthinaformus: 4,500/100 = 45 releases of 100 @ $100 = $4,500
Mecinus janthinus: 600/100 = 6 releases of 100 @ $100 = $600
Total………………………………………………………..$31,900**

**We put much more emphasis on monitoring rather than collecting as many of the insects we have been working with for decades are becoming established in good numbers throughout the area and are showing increasingly good control. There is no need to release insects where that species is already well established and effective.
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Total Dollar Value of Insects Collected From: 2003-2025 = $1,428,608.00

7-17-26Here is an article about Russian knapw**d and the Whitehall Montana Biological W**d Control Coordination Project:...
07/17/2026

7-17-26
Here is an article about Russian knapw**d and the Whitehall Montana Biological W**d Control Coordination Project:
Russian knapw**d (Rhaponticum repens) has blue green lobed leaves and pink to purple flowers. In the spring it grows a basal rosette (a ring of leaves located at the base of the plant) and then bolts (rapidly shoots up stems that flower) as the summer progresses. The flowers are very similar to spotted knapw**d and can be difficult to differentiate. One of the key differences between these species is spotted knapw**d has bracts on the flower buds with dark colored tips whereas Russian knapw**d’s bracts are smooth and opaque, without any spines. These bracts are located underneath the blooms and encapsulate the base of the blooms into a small bowl shape.
Russian knapw**d is native to central Asia and probably traveled to North America in the 1890s with the help of us humans. This species thrives in arid regions, rangelands, croplands, and roadsides. Like many of our other unpleasant noxious invasives, Russian knapw**d spreads through its root system and reproduces by seed. The seeds are dispersed by wind, water, and animals. The persistent seeds can remain viable in the soil seed bank for years after they reach their destination. Even small root fragments can cause new infestations if soil containing them is moved to new locations.
The plant causes chewing disease in horses. This is a nervous system disorder that causes horses to struggle with chewing and swallowing. An affected horse may slowly starve to death. There is no known treatment for this environmental disease, so prevention is paramount. Research seems to show that the primary toxic chemicals responsible are sesquiterpene lactones, with repin being the most abundant and well-studied of these neurotoxins. A horse must consume large amounts of Russian knapw**d over time for the effects to show. The brain cells that control the facial and chewing muscles are killed and the damage is permanent.
So, how can we control this noxious w**d? Integrated w**d management (IWM) is combining multiple methods working together. Russian knapw**d is susceptible to some herbicides. Contact your county w**d coordinator or extension agent for herbicide information. Mowing helps keep seed production to a minimum, damages the plant, but does not kill it. Hand pulling is not recommended for large patches because of the plants extensive root system and ability to sprout from just a small root fragment. Grazing is no good because it is toxic to horses. Do not bail it up into hay!
There are two biological control insects that seem to have low to moderate effectiveness in Montana. We do have these available from our insectary here in Whitehall. First is the Russian knapw**d gall wasp (Aulacidea acroptilonica). It is a small black wasp that lays its eggs within the stem of the plant. The larvae hatch and feed within the stem causing galling (swelling). This can reduce flower/seed production and weaken the plant. The wasps usually do not kill the plant. The other insect is the Russian knapw**d gall midge. This small fly lays its eggs on the growing tips of the plant. Larval feeding causes galls that damage stem growth, flowering and seed production. They also do not usually kill the plant. We recommend you use these biological control agents in areas where you cannot spray with herbicides. Feel free to give us a call if you want more information or want to try using these bioagents as part of your IWM. Todd Breitenfeldt: 406-498-5236, Bridget Danielson: 218-820-6246, or Eleni Voulgaris: 562-292-2575. Make your long-term w**d plan and stick to it!

The photo shows a Russian knapw**d in our insectary here in Whitehall infected with numerous Russian knapw**d galls that are stopping stem growth and damaging the plant.

We are now finishing up leafy spurge insects. We will be collecting spotted knapw**d insects in 2 weeks. We are also m...
07/16/2026

We are now finishing up leafy spurge insects. We will be collecting spotted knapw**d insects in 2 weeks. We are also making good progress on redoing the insectary.

06/30/2026

We will be collecting leafy spurge flea beetles for the next two weeks or so. Be sure and get on the list if you would like some for your Montana property. These host specific small beetles kill the plant mainly as the larvae feed on the roots. The adults in high concentrations can also cause significant damage to the plant via leaf feeding. We need hot, still days for good collections and plan to travel to the Missoula area and the Grass Range area to collect. We may also collect some red headed leafy spurge borer beetles as we are collecting the flea beetles.

We are reworking the insectary where we grow the noxious w**ds, to grow the insects, to kill the noxious w**ds. Since t...
06/30/2026

We are reworking the insectary where we grow the noxious w**ds, to grow the insects, to kill the noxious w**ds. Since the insects have killed much of the yellow toadflax and spotted knapw**d we need to transplant these w**ds into the insectary.

We have establishment at several of our whitetop mite release sites. These host specific mites make the dense clusters ...
06/22/2026

We have establishment at several of our whitetop mite release sites. These host specific mites make the dense clusters of small white flowers look like deformed broccoli, killing most of the seeds and weakening the plant. Over time they can kill the plant.
The first photo is normal whitetop flowers, the rest are damaged flowers at our release sites today...

We will be collecting Dalmatian and yellow toadflax stem boring weevils Monday June 8th, 2026. If you are interested in...
06/05/2026

We will be collecting Dalmatian and yellow toadflax stem boring weevils Monday June 8th, 2026. If you are interested in receiving a release, contact us. Also, since the insects are well established in many areas of Jefferson and surrounding counties, we will be glad to monitor your property for their presence and give you advice on management.
Photo: toadflax stem boring weevils.

Address

Whitehall, MT
59759

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14064985236

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