Free, for a limited time only: Beetle farms

While Worcester desperately tries to eradicate one beetle species, a group in eastern Massachusetts is looking for volunteers to help raise another species.

The Neponset River Watershed Association is looking for volunteers to help nurture Galerucella beetles, which eat purple loosestrife, to help control the pretty-yet-destructive invasive weed now choking off marshes across the state:

... Volunteers will care for the Purple loosestrife plants at home. Each volunteer will care for a multiple of 10 to 12 plants; this number of potted plants fits into one kiddie pool, which is used to keep the soil moist. Volunteers decide how many kiddie pools they prefer to manage. At first, plant care will consist of placing the kiddie pool in a sunny spot and keeping the water at a regular level inside the pool. After about a month, when the plants have grown to about a foot and a half in height, volunteers will cover them with nets. At this point, we'll provide volunteers with 10 beetles to apply to each of their plants. For about a month more, volunteers will continue to maintain the water levels in the kiddie pool and keep an eye on their beetles and their offspring. ...

In July, you'll bring your pots out to a designated spot along the river, release the netting and let those beetles and their larvae move out and eat wild loosestrife.