Scientists Release Natural Predator, of Invasive Weed in 'World First'.
'Newsweek' reports that scientists in Australia are
looking to combat invasive water weeds by
releasing an army of the plant's nemesis: weevils.
The release is part of a cooperation between researchers at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Seqwater.
Seqwater, one of Australia's largest water companies, agreed to the release of weevils to prevent the spread of the invasive cabomba plant.
Seqwater, one of Australia's largest water companies, agreed to the release of weevils to prevent the spread of the invasive cabomba plant.
It is a world first. There is no biocontrol
program [for cabomba] happening
in any other parts of the world, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research
scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.
Cabomba caroliniana, a fast-spreading weed introduced to Australia from South America in the 60s, can wreak havoc on native plants and animals. .
It outcompetes all of our native plants
that used to live in the lakes and it can
affect animals as well because they don't
like to live in such a dense plant material, David Roberts, Senior scientist
with Seqwater, via 'Newsweek'.
Cabomba grows up to 5cm [nearly 2 inches]
a day, strangling native ecosystems,
choking waterways and impacting native
aquatic animal and plant populations, David Roberts, Senior scientist
with Seqwater, via 'Newsweek'.
According to 'Newsweek,' cabomba can also block
inlets and piping, posing a threat to both boaters
and swimmers who could get caught in its tendrils.
Cabomba has quite a few natural enemies
associated with it, but one thing that we
have to make sure is that they are specific
only to cabomba—it doesn't eat or
double up on other native plants, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research
scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.
Cabomba has quite a few natural enemies
associated with it, but one thing that we
have to make sure is that they are specific
only to cabomba—it doesn't eat or
double up on other native plants, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research
scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.
The weevils will first be released in Lake Kurwongbah,
outside of Brisbane, Queensland, before being
released into other lakes around Australia
