September 18, 2008 Science teacher populates Central Mass. with "good beetle" Play video

(Katie Daly, NECN: Uxbridge, MA) - While state and federal officials are trying to rid central Massachusetts of an invasive beetles. A science teacher at Uxbridge high school is trying to populate the area with what he calls the good beetle.

David Warden along with his students raise hundreds of Galerucella beetles. The beetles are dormant now but in the spring and summer they release them in area wetlands and fields. The students are trying to control the population of the purple loosestrife plant.

The beetle is also native to Europe and Asia and feeds on the plant eventually killing it.... making it part of the food chain. Timothy Macello is a senior and has been involved with the project since he was a freshman.

Timothy wants to be a biologist someday. His teacher says this experience that will help him in the field.

Mr. Worden says that while his students can help control the growth of the invasive plant in central Massachusetts, helping the rest of the state is a challenge. He now, is reaching out to other high schools to adopt similar programs.