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water hyacinth hopperslatest news & developments
Water hyacinths at the Hartebeersport dam. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM

A 50-year seed bank and tiny hoppers: Hartbeespoort’s water hyacinth battle

Tiny biocontrol insects, released by the Centre for Biological Control, are preventing flowering and suppressing growth — a long-term solution to South Africa’s most problematic…

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Water hyacinth, native to South America, is described as the world’s worst aquatic weed. It thrives in nutrient-enriched waters like Hartbeespoort Dam, forming dense impenetrable mats that affect boating, fishing and water sport activities, harms aquatic biodiversity. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Invasive water hyacinth explodes on Hartbeespoort Dam

Heavy rain and pollution has led to the aquatic weed increasing its coverage to about 50% of the dam

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Water hyacinths at the Hartebeersport dam. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Insect army winning war against invasive superweed in South Africa’s waterways

Tiny bugs – water hyacinth planthoppers – have reduced the coverage of an invasive superweed to below 5%

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read