Curculionidae

Read more about the article The lesser of two weevils? How insect thermal traits can help to understand biocontrol success and failure
Neochetina eichhorniae - outstanding in its field. Photo credit: Centre for Biological Control
2020 / News

The lesser of two weevils? How insect thermal traits can help to understand biocontrol success and failure

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a widespread invasive species impacting a range of ecosystem services in South Africa, especially water quality and availability. To better control this aquatic weed, several biocontrol agents have been released – unfortunately with mixed success.

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12 November 2020
Read more about the article A biocontrol agent persists under climate change
Cyrtobagous salviniae, the biocontrol agent for the invasive water fern Salvinia molesta (Photo credit: Jessica Allen)
2015 / News

A biocontrol agent persists under climate change

The water fern (Salvinia molesta) is an aggressive invader of freshwater systems where it affects the services that these ecosystems deliver. Fortunately, the use of a natural enemy of the water fern (a biological control agent), the weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae) has been highly successful in many countries, including South Africa where the water fern is no longer considered to be problematic.  

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29 April 2015