• From Alstrom Point you can see Gunsight Butte, Padre Bay, and Navajo Mountain

    Glen Canyon

    National Recreation Area AZ,UT

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  • Highway 89 closed 25 miles south of Page

    A road collapse south of Page has closed US-89 until further notice. US-89 is closed northbound at US-89A. In Page, US 89 is closed at the junction with State Route 98. Traffic is being detoured around closure utilizing SR-98 & US-160. US-89A is open. More »

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    Public Health, Environmental and Wildlife agencies from Utah and Arizona are jointly issuing a mercury fish advisory for striped bass in the southern portion of Lake Powell from Dangling Rope marina to the dam. Read more here: More »

Tamarisk Leaf Beetle

Why Are Tamarisk Turning Brown?

The Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Comes to Glen Canyon NRA

 
tamarisk leaf beetle
Tamarisk Leaf Beetle
 

Tamarisk, or Saltcedar, are native to Eurasia. Tamarisk were introduced to North America for erosion control, but now infest many acres of Lake Powell and Colorado River shorelines, tributaries, and side canyons.

 

Tamarisk Impacts

  • Displaces native trees like cottonwood and willow
  • Poor habitat for birds and other wildlife
  • Restricts recreation access
  • Increases soil salinity
  • Promotes fire even if green (and tamarisk vigorously resprouts following fire)
 
Tamarisk Minimally Impacted by Tamarisk Leaf Beetle
Tamarisk Slightly Impaired by the Tamarisk Leaf Beetle
 

Tamarisk Leaf Beetle

  • Tamarisk were introduced here without its natural enemies; therefore, in 2001, the US Department of Agriculture approved the release of a bio-control, the Tamarisk Beetle, from the plant's native range to assist with tamarisk control efforts
  • The Tamarisk Leaf Beetle stresses tamarisk by repeatedly feeding on tamarisk foliage
  • Each repeated defoliation should result in a decrease or dying off of some of the root mass; which if regularly repeated could kill tamarisk
  • The Tamarisk Leaf Beetle was not released in Glen Canyon NRA, but the beetle has begun to arrive and thrive at various locations throughout the park
  • Expect to see defoliated tamarisk plants this year!
 
Tamarisk Defoliation Closeup
Close-up look at tamarisk defoliation.
 

Concerns

  • Defoliation may lead to site conditions that favor the establishment of other invasive non-native plants
  • Defoliation may negatively impact some insect and wildlife species
  • Defoliation may result in unsightly stands of dead and dying tamarisk
  • An increased short term fire hazard may result if the majority of tamarisk is killed in an area and dense stands of dead stems remain
 
Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Larvae on Tamarisk
Tamarisk Leaf Beetle larvae on Tamarisk
 

Solutions

The Tamarisk Leaf Beetle is emerging as a useful tool that can be combined with other invasive plant management techniques to treat and restore areas that have been impacted by tamarisk.

Did You Know?

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