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Water hyacinths at the Hartebeersport dam. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

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 aquatic invasive plant

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Without biocontrol, Hartbeespoort Dam could be 70% covered in superweed

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)

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)

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