Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Julie Coetzee

latest news & developments
Without biocontrol, Hartbeespoort Dam could be 70% covered in superweed
AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY

Tiny bugs winning the fight against invasive water hyacinth in Hartbeespoort Dam

Without biocontrol, Hartbeespoort Dam could be 70% covered in superweed

  • Sheree Bega
8 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 and harms aquatic biodiversity. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ARTICLE

Powerful insect army reduces water hyacinth on Hartbeespoort Dam to 2.5%

The tiny planthoppers are biological control agents and natural enemies of the world’s worst aquatic weed

  • Sheree Bega
6 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 and harms aquatic biodiversity. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Tiny bugs reduce water hyacinth on Hartbeespoort Dam to 5%

Biological control is effective but the real solution would be to fix wastewater treatment plants in Joburg and Pretoria and stop sewage spills

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Water hyacinth being controlled by bio controll measures at hartebeesport. (Delwyn Verasamy)
CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Insect army winning fight against invasive water hyacinth

The coverage of the invasive superweed has been reduced to 12.5% from 40% in February

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
Dr Rosali Smith is confident the planthopper insects from South America will do their job in destroying the invasive weed. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Insect army tackles Hartbeespoort Dam’s water hyacinths

About 300 000 planthoppers have been released on Hartbeespoort Dam to control the green horror

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Superspreader: Workers have been contracted to remove the hyacinth in the dam, but it’s too little, too late, as the coverage area can double every week. (Andy Mkosi)
BIO CONTROL

South African rowing in peril as Roodeplaat dam gets choked by plant colonies

Poorly treated wastewater in Tshwane is to blame for the water hyacinth and cyanobacteria colonies

  • Sheree Bega
10 min read