Water Hyacinth Hoppers

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

27 JAN 2023

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

27 DEC 2022

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