Environmental Commission wants to control invasive vines with beetles

When you see leaves that look like this, you’re looking at trouble.

As the soil warms up this spring, seedlings of the invasive and terribly aggressive Mile-a-Minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata) will sprout. Also known as devil’s tail, giant climbing tearthumb, and Asiatic tearthumb, this vine grows extremely rapidly and can take over gardens and woodlands, overgrowing shrubs, trees and outdoor furniture and buildings.

Single plants can easily grow up to 25-feet-long or more in a single season. The almost perfectly triangular blue-green leaves are easy to identify, and the entire plant is armed with tiny, hooked barbs that will catch on clothing and skin.

How to control this plant? Pulling the seedlings when the plants are young is quite easy—although you might want to wear gloves to protect your skin from the barbs. A biological control agent, the host-specific Asian Weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes is available from the N.J. Department of Agriculture to combat this scourge. This beetle has been thoroughly researched and has been used to successfully manage Mile-a-Minute vine since 2004.

This beetle only feeds on Mile-a-Minute vine, weakening the plants and reducing their ability to set seed. Since this plant must grow from seed each year—decreasing the seed production is key to controlling it. The Environmental Commission is seeking funds to purchase some of these beetles with the intention of releasing them at the Frenchtown Preserve to help control Mile-a-Minute vine there. —Randi Eckel