The West-Central Forage Association won’t be bringing in Canada thistle stem-gall flies this year.
The flies lay their eggs on the tips of thistle shoots in the early summer, with the larvae burrowing into the shoots and triggering gall formation, which stresses the plant by stealing nutrients.
The association said it is discontinuing the program “for the time being.”
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“We appreciate the many who have supported this program in the past, and we apologize for any inconvenience this decision may cause.”
Producers who want to import the flies themselves can find a link to a Montana supplier (as well as CFIA import rules) at westcentralforage.com.
