The town of Boone recently released more than 5,000 weevils on the Boone Greenway Trail to combat an invasive plant.

Town officials say the tiny beetles have been bred to live and feed only on Mile-A-Minute weed — an invasive plant that can grow up to 6 inches a day.

The weed grows in thick mats that smother native plants. It also has small barbs that can hurt people and animals. Boone officials say releasing the weevils should impact the growth and spread of the plant.