BIOCONTROL

Oregon is a national leader in using biological control as part of its integrated approach to managing noxious weeds.

There are currently 3 approved and 1 unapproved gorse biocontrol agents. More information about each gorse biocontrol agent is below. Please also visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Biological Control webpage.

Gorse thrip

Released in early 2020, this thrips and some friends were transported to ten gorse infested sites along the Oregon coast (seven in Coos County). Late summer monitoring showed that most sites still had colonies with 80% of release sites still inhabited. Check back as we keep our eyes on these thrips.

Gorse Spider Mite

Gorse Seed Weevil

Gorse Tip Moth

Gorse tip moth (Agonopterix nervosa) is an unapproved gorse agent. Its accidental introduction was recorded on gorse in BC, Canada by 1915 and it spread to the USA in the 1920s. It attacks both Scotch broom and gorse in CA, NV, OR, and WA, though is more effective on gorse.