Weevils & Water Hyacinth
The mottled water hyacinth weevil and the chevroned water hyacinth weevil are two insects that serve as a biological control for the rapid spread of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) plants. The combination of weevils and herbicide treatments serves as a great defense against the spread of the plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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About Water Hyacinth
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Water hyacinth is a plant that grows in the water and is considered a floating weed. The combination of green leaves and showy purple flowers make this weed attractive. Runners produced by this root system aid in the spread of the plant until it eventually forms dense mats that cover the surface of the water.
Water Hyacinth Growth
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This plant produces leathery green leaves that are oval in shape and measure anywhere from 1/2 inch to 8 inches in length. The leaves are hardy and cover fibrous roots that float in the water. This weed also produces attractive flowers that are lavender in color and bloom in groups of five to 20. After the flowers have finished blooming, fruit is present that contains an abundance of seeds.
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Water Hyacinth Problems
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The water hyacinth weed spreads rapidly and is capable of doubling in number in as little as 11 to 15 days. Left uncontrolled, the plant can completely block water transportation with its dense vegetation.
Mottled Water Hyacinth Weevil
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The mottled water hyacinth weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae) is an insect that was intentionally released to help control the spread of water hyacinth plants in 1972. The larvae of the water hyacinth weevil tunnels through the petioles while the adults use both the petioles and the leaves of the water hyacinth plant as food, leaving scars where it fed. The damage caused by the mottled water hyacinth weevil serves as a biological control, causing stress to the plant and reducing the seeds and flowers produced by the plant.
Chevroned Water Hyacinth Weevil
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The chevroned water hyacinth weevil (Neochetina bruchi) is a second type of water hyacinth weevil that aids in keeping the growth and reproduction of the plant under control. First released in 1974, this insect feeds on the water hyacinth to the point that the plant is not capable of growing large or producing as many seeds. This particular type of weevil is particularly damaging to young water hyacinth plants. The more nutrients present in the water, the less effective these weevils are in controlling hyacinth growth.
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References
- Photo Credit laitue d"eau image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
