The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is proud to announce the Palisade Insectary's 80th Anniversary Celebration, honoring eight decades of dedicated scientific work in biological pest and weed control.
“Colorado is known for its strong agricultural sector, diverse ecosystem, and wild open spaces. Conserving Colorado's natural ecosystem and supporting our farmers is a large task, and thanks to the work of scientists, like the ones at CDA’s Palisade’s Insectary, we are reducing the amount of pest species, invasive weeds, and our overreliance on pesticides. We are helping farmers and ranchers save money and keeping our agricultural economy growing for generations to come,” said Governor Polis.
To celebrate, Governor Polis has proclaimed August 14, 2025, as Palisade Insectary Day in recognition of its decades of service to Colorado and the Western United States.
"For 80 years, the Palisade Insectary has been at the forefront of putting beneficial insects to work, providing effective and environmentally sound solutions for managing invasive weeds and pests across farms, ranches, and native ecosystems," said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “The Insectary’s work reduces the need for chemical pesticides, saves money for producers, and helps establish natural, permanent pest control options, benefiting Colorado's agriculture, economy, and environment for generations to come.”
The Palisade Insectary, the oldest biological control facility of its kind in the United States, has been instrumental in protecting Colorado's agriculture and natural resources since its inception in 1945. Initially established to combat the Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM), a destructive peach pest, with the release of the "Mac" wasp (Macrocentrus ancylivorus), over the past 80 years the Insectary has developed more than 90 different biological agents to control invasive weed and insect species. Noxious weeds provide poor habitat for livestock and wildlife, and crowd out native species. Heavy infestations can make the land unusable.
The celebration will highlight the Insectary's significant achievements, including the ongoing success of the "Mac" wasp program, which provides over two million wasps annually to farmers. Throughout its existence, the Insectary has partnered with farmers to develop and test biocontrol agents.
Another notable success is the partial control of tamarisk, an invasive shrub, which has seen a 50% decrease on Colorado’s Western Slope, resulting in substantial water savings. The Insectary also successfully utilizes field bindweed mites to combat the pervasive field bindweed, and has achieved a 90% reduction of Dalmatian toadflax in the Poudre River area with the help of weevils. Currently, the Insectary is working to combat Russian knapweed, with preliminary studies showing a 30% reduction with released agents.
The Insectary also provides biocontrol agents directly to the public through its "Request-a-Bug" program. Coloradans can receive biocontrol agents for their use in their own farms, gardens, or back yards. The most popular insect available through "Request-a-Bug" is the field bindweed mite, frequently used by homeowners to combat field bindweed. These mites feed on bindweed, causing its leaves to curl, vines to stunt, and eventually leading to dieback.
The Insectary 80th Anniversary Celebration is open to the public and will offer family-friendly activities, food and music, tours of the Insectary facility, and opportunities to meet with Insectary and CDA staff. It's a chance for community members, farmers, ranchers, and the general public to learn about and celebrate the vital role of biological control in sustainable pest management. And it’s the day before the kick off of the Palisade Peach Festival.
Insectary 80th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, August 14, 2025
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
At Palisade Insectary: 750 37 8/10 Road, Palisade, CO 81526.