A recent article published by the Cornell Chronicle details the progress of a biocontrol agent for pale and black swallow-wort. NYISRI was involved in building a collaborative group of researchers across universities to tackle this problem.

After extensive testing, a natural predator from pale swallow-wort’s region of origin was approved by the USDA for field release in August of 2017. This predator is a moth (Hypena opulenta) whose larvae feed exclusively on pale and black swallow-wort. Research continues to determine how this moth will establish itself in local conditions.