Do introduced biological controls for the water hyacinth affect WHS™ performance?
Water hyacinth is a prolific competitor for nutrients in open water, meaning that the same qualities that allow it to be a valuable plant for nutrient control cause it to be a nuisance in natural water bodies. Two species of weevil (Neochetina spp.) were introduced in the 1970’s to control water hyacinth plants, and these weevils can be found in Water Hyacinth Scrubbers. To enhance system performance by minimizing the effect of weevil predation on young plants, naturally occurring nematodes, a biological control for the weevils, are introduced in the WHS™. Unlike other water treatment alternatives, which use chemical pesticides to control unwanted species, periodic nematode introduction is the only pest control measure employed for the WHS™.
