Blowing our trumpet
A well-balanced article about the biological control of Japanese knotweed was published today in a British newspaper. Most articles about the release of the Japanese knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori, pictured) that appeared last year were either dismissive of the idea of releasing a non-native insect to combat another non-native species, often on the grounds that…
Wild gingers – beastly beauties
Wild gingers, Hedychium spp., belong to the same family as edible ginger (Zingiber officinale), but they have no culinary value. Native to moist tropical forests of Central and Southeastern Asia, they are cultivated the world over as ornamentals. Their large, glossy leaves flare out around their tall reedy stems and their orchid-like, showy blossoms come…
Evolution of “Super-Invasive” Cane Toads
The cane toad (Rhinella marina) has become invasive in much of its introduced range, impacting significantly on biodiversity in these regions. Not only does the cane toad prey upon and compete with native species, it also produces a potent toxin that can be deadly to would-be predators. Nowhere is the impact of the cane toad…
Biological control of Mikania micrantha: Have we found the silver bullet?
Mikania micrantha (mile-a-minute weed or South American Climber) is a major invasive alien weed in many of the tropical moist forest regions of Asia. This neotropical vine is able to smother plants in agricultural ecosystems, agroforestry and native habitats. Conventional control methods of manual removal (slashing) or herbicide application, are expensive, ineffective, not sustainable, and…
Can biocontrol bash the balsam?
After a long hot summer, many custodians of the countryside will be breathing a sigh of relief as the winter months will provide a rest bite from battling with infestations of non-native plant species. Unfortunately, the battle is too often one sided and the weeds are winning! Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is one of the UK’s…
Public perception and knotweed biocontrol
In 2010, we commenced with a controlled release of the specialist Japanese knotweed natural enemy, Aphalara itadori, in the UK. This has been the culmination of many years of project development and intense research and is effectively a first for Europe, at least as far as weeds are concerned. Japanese knotweed pushing through tarmac in Buckinghamshire…
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