Field Bindweed

Biological Control Agents

This weed is widespread across much of Fremont County, causing problems in agricultural settings as well as roadsides, lawn and garden areas and industrial sites. Two bio-control agents are being used in the County to suppress this weed.

Aceria malherbae

The Bindweed gall mite, Aceria malherbae, was first released in 1998 in the Ethete area of the Wind River Indian Reservation. We recovered and were able to move infested plant material for redistribution in 2003. Since then the field bindweed at the release site has been eliminated by this agent. In addition to material collected locally we have received mite infected material from Colorado through APHIS. We have had some success in getting new bio-sites established with this agent.

For more specific information on Aceria malherbae, download New Mexico State University's Publication on managing gall mites for control of Field Bindweed (PDF).

Tyta luctuosa larva

Tyta luctuosa

In 2004 we released both adult and larva of the bindweed moth, Tyta luctuosa, also received from APHIS. We have not found evidence of establishment by this agent.

For more images and specific information on Tyta luctuosa, visit the Arkive.org website.

Field Bindweed Bio-site Map

For more information on Bio-control of Field Bindweed visit:

North Dakota Dept. of Agriculture- Field Bindweed management (PDF)

Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI)- Ongoing research in biocontrol of Field Bindweed sponsored by USDA- APHIS

Global Invasive Species Team (now hosted at Invasive.org)- Bindweed Info (PDF)