In 1960, Oregon released a small red and black moth into its fields, hoping its caterpillars would devour a toxic, non-native weed poisoning livestock across the state. The plan was effective for decades. More recently, researchers found that the same caterpillars have also been feeding on a native mountain wildflower they were not expected to eat. Tansy ragwort, a plant toxic to horses and cattle, had plagued Oregon farmers and ranchers for decades after arriving from Europe or Asia.
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