JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – For more than 20 years, the Stutsman County Weed Board has held their Field Day for participants to collect Leafy Spurge Beetles.

These beetles are then distributed and used on personal fields, crops, and more.

“Leafy spurge continues to be one of North Dakota’s most difficult-to-control noxious weeds,” Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Using the flea beetles for biological control, as part of an integrated pest management plan, has proven to be an effective tool in combating leafy spurge infestations.”

According to the NDSU Extension Service, leafy spurge is an exotic perennial weed that infests over 800,000 acres in North Dakota. Instead of focusing on destroying the weed with herbicides, the flea beetle has been introduced as a natural leafy spurge repellent.

Stutsman County Field Days began Monday and continue today and Wednesday. You’re asked to meet at the shop at 1508 4th St. NW in Jamestown. Bring a cooler and ice packs to transport the flea beetles, as well as sweep nets if you have them.

For more information on Stutsman County Field Day, contact Ron Manson at 701-320-4512.