Weevil used to control floating pennywort in the Cam Washes
4 February 2025
A weevil that feeds on floating pennywort is being released into the Cam Washes in an effort to control the invasive plant.
Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) is a non-native aquatic plant that has spread rapidly in the UK in recent years. It can form dense mats on the surface of water, which can block out light and oxygen, making it difficult for other plants and animals to survive.
The weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae) is native to South America and feeds exclusively on floating pennywort. It was first introduced to the UK in 2014 as a biological control agent for the plant.
The weevils are being released into the Cam Washes as part of a project led by the Environment Agency. The project is being funded by the Interreg France (Channel) England Programme, which supports projects that protect and enhance the environment of the English Channel.
The weevils are expected to establish themselves in the Cam Washes and start to control the floating pennywort population. The project will be monitored over the next few years to assess the effectiveness of the weevils.
The use of weevils to control floating pennywort is a novel approach that has the potential to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to manage the plant.
What is floating pennywort?
Floating pennywort is a free-floating aquatic plant with round, waxy leaves and white flowers. It is native to South America but has spread to many other parts of the world, including the UK.
Floating pennywort can form dense mats on the surface of water, which can block out light and oxygen, making it difficult for other plants and animals to survive. The plant can also interfere with navigation and fishing.
What is the weevil?
The weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae) is a small insect that feeds exclusively on floating pennywort. The weevil lays its eggs in the leaves of the plant, and the larvae feed on the leaves and stems.
The weevil is native to South America and was first introduced to the UK in 2014 as a biological control agent for floating pennywort.
How will the weevils be used to control floating pennywort?
The weevils will be released into the Cam Washes in an effort to control the floating pennywort population. The weevils are expected to establish themselves in the Cam Washes and start to control the floating pennywort population.
The project will be monitored over the next few years to assess the effectiveness of the weevils.
Weevil used to control floating pennywort in the Cam Washes
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