GOV UK,Weevil used to control floating pennywort in the Cam Washes

Weevil Used to Control Floating Pennywort in the Cam Washes

Date: 2025-02-04 16:44

Source: GOV UK

Summary:

The Environment Agency and partners are releasing weevils as a biological control for floating pennywort in the Cam Washes, a nature reserve in Cambridgeshire. Floating pennywort is a non-native invasive species that can form dense mats on the water’s surface, hindering navigation, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

Details:

• The weevils (Neohydronomus affinis) are native to South America and feed exclusively on floating pennywort.
• Over 200,000 weevils have been released in three sites in the Cam Washes: Willingham Washes, Wicken Fen, and Chippenham Fen.
• The weevils lay their eggs in the pennywort leaves, causing the leaves to wilt and die. The larvae feed on the root system, further weakening the plants.
• The project aims to establish self-sustaining populations of weevils that will control the floating pennywort over the long term.

Background:

• Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) was introduced to the UK in the 19th century as an ornamental plant.
• It has since become invasive in many water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and marshes.
• Traditional control methods, such as chemical treatments and manual removal, have been ineffective in controlling the widespread growth of floating pennywort.

Benefits of Biological Control:

• Biological control using weevils is a sustainable, low-impact approach.
• Weevils are highly specific and only feed on floating pennywort, minimizing the risk of harm to other wildlife.
• The weevils have the potential to provide long-term control of floating pennywort, reducing the need for costly and labor-intensive manual removal.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• The Environment Agency and partners will monitor the progress of the weevil release by assessing the impact on floating pennywort cover and its effects on other wildlife.
• The project is expected to run for several years to ensure the establishment of effective weevil populations.

Conclusion:

The release of weevils as a biological control for floating pennywort is an innovative and promising approach to managing this invasive species in the Cam Washes. If successful, the project will provide a valuable tool for controlling floating pennywort in other water bodies in the UK and beyond.

The AI has provided us with the news.

I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.

GOV UK a new article on 2025-02-04 16:44 titled “Weevil used to control floating pennywort in the Cam Washes”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.

70