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Palisade Insectary
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - While the orchards in Palisade lie dormant, so does an important partner to its survival.
The Palisade Insectary raises beneficial insects for farmers, ranchers, or anyone in need of a helping bug.
“We have at least 30 species that can be released for control of weeds and pests,” said Dan Bean, the Insectary Director.
Peach farmers can use parasitic wasps to control the population of oriental fruit moths, which would damage peaches if left unchecked. The Insectary also releases tamarisk leaf beetles. This insect is one of the few natural enemies of the tamarisk, a foreign shrub that places a strain on the water supplied to native plants and animals.
“They've been found to just go after one thing or a couple of things. In the case of our weed eating insects they just go after one or couple of species of weeds. And they don't, they don't hit crops for instance. They're specialists," said Brown.
More information can be found at www.palisadeinsectary.com.
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