Sagittaria platyphylla or Delta arrowhead, an invasive alien weed is invading aquatic ecosystems throughout the country. It is choking up the stream that runs through the Makhanda Botanical Gardens. After a number of years of testing here at Rhodes University, the Centre fo Biological Control has been granted permission to release the weevil, Listronotus appendiculatus. On the 11th of October 2023 we had the official release where Dr Mabizela (RU Vice Chancelor) and Ms Muir (DFFE official) helped Dr Grant Martin (the lead researcher) release the insect in Makhanda. The Centre is working on ways of mass rearing the insect. There will be more releases throughout thie country and the CBC will be monitoring the impact of the insect on delta arrowhead infestations. The hope is that it can help get the plant under control in the future.
Special thanks to Nathan Harms and his team from the Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch at the Engineer Research and Development Center - U.S. Army ( ERDC US Army) in Mississippi. They weere instrumental in the collection and rearing of these insects in in their native range. These partnerships are so important and helpful for us finding new biological control agents.