SciencePhoto: HT WorldBeetle Release Cut Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Habitat by 94%
Between 2010 and 2015, the habitat for the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher along the lower Virgin River dropped by 94.2% after tamarisk leaf beetles were released in 2001 to control invasive tamarisk bushes. The bird nests in dense vegetation near water, often using tamarisk. The beetles' feeding killed tamarisk, reducing the bird's nesting habitat, illustrating how solving one ecological problem can cause another.
HT World·


