Imported Insect Controls Water Weed

Giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta, is an invasive water plant from South America that clogs waterways and chokes out native aquatic life in Texas and Louisiana. The aggressive plant quickly forms thick mats that spoil fresh waterways. To combat this invasive, scientists have released another South American native, Cyrtobagous salviniae, a weevil that feeds exclusively on South American species of salvinia.

After two years, areas where the weevils were released have seen a great reduction in the population of giant salvinia. It appears that the insect may provide an ideal biocontrol for the invasive waterweed. Researchers are also testing the weevil on areas infested with common salvinia, another South American species.

Link: Weevil Wreaks Havoc on Giant Salvinia from the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 3:21 PM on November 26, 2004

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