March 15th 2011 Issue

Beekeepers fear loss of forage

Loved by beekeepers, the star thistle is an invasive, exotic weed being targeted for biocontrol.

The purple spotted knapweed flower is attractive to bees and a good nectar producer: However, once it gains a foothold, spotted knapweed kills competing vegetation and creates conditions for its own spread. Photo by James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org photo Inset by Marisa Williams, University of Arkansas, Bugwood.org Michigan beekeepers have added one more item to the list of things threatening their industry—a gradual reduction in a major bee forage crop they call star thistle. In August, the state Department of Agriculture approved the release of two biocontrol agents—beetles—that feed on spotted knapweed, an exotic, invasive weed species […]

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March 15, 2011

Weeds, Richard Lehnert, Pollination

Richard Lehnert

After growing up on a Michigan dairy farm, Richard Lehnert began writing about farming in 1962, while still a junior studying journalism at Michigan State University. He worked at newspapers for a year before joining the staff of Michigan Farmer, where he spent 26 years, the last 15 as chief editor. He was a member of the staff of Good Fruit Grower from 2010 until 2015. Read his stories: Story Index

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