In order to maximise the potential of weed biological control, high numbers of healthy insects are required, these agents can be mass-reared. This waterweed mass-rearing facility was established in 2008 at Waainek in Makhanda (Grahamstown) during the first phase of the Working for Water funded aquatic weed project. Since then the mass-rearing programme has been upgraded and expanded. In 2009, the first people were employed including three people from our Sisonke Programme (persons with disabilities), they are employed to assist with maintenance of the facility and the collection of the insects to send to various infected sites. There are currently six people with disabilites employed at the facility. Through the mass-rearing of biological control agents at this facility, millions of agents have been released in invaded areas all over the country to reduce alien invasive plant populations.

If you wish to find out more about releasing agents, contact Samella Ngxande-Koza:                       
Phone: +27 (0)46 603 7176
Email: s.ngxande-koza@ru.ac.za

The table below lists all the biological control agents that are reared at the Waainek mass-rearing facility:

Last Modified: Mon, 07 Mar 2022 11:16:56 SAST