The University of Rhode Island Biocontrol Lab is working under a USDA-regulated permit to rear and release H. opulenta across southern New England. Releases occur in the spring and early summer. Release sites are spread throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. Other researchers are also carrying out H. opulenta releases in Canada, New York, New Jersey and Michigan.
Fig. 1. Adults on the side of a release cage during a release at Watson Farm in Jamestown Rhode Island, June 16th, 2019. Fig. 2. Swallow-wort defoliation. Fig. 3. Third instar H. opulenta larvae feeding on swallow-wort. Fig. 4. Hypena opulenta adult release cage Fig. 5. Patch of swallow-wort at South Farm Preserve in Charlestown, Rhode Island, August 15th, 2019. Fig. 6. Adult release cage in Redding, CT, July 11th, 2019. Fig. 7. Patches of swallow-wort in an adult release cage. Fig. 8. Setting up adult release cages on a patch of swallow-wort in Redding, CT, July 11th, 2019. Fig. 9. Setting up adult release cage on patch of swallow-wort