What is biological control of invasive plants?
A. Biological control, or biocontrol, is the introduction of a plant-feeding insect or disease to control the growth or spread of an invasive plant. These biocontrol agents are natural enemies of the plant in its home range and feed on or damage a part of the plant, making it easier to manage. Biocontrol can reduce the abundance of an invasive species gradually but cannot eliminate it completely. Q. Is biological control commonly used to control invasive plants? A. Yes. Biological control is an approach extensively employed around the world by land managers, regional and national governments, and others charged with controlling highly invasive plants. It is an accepted management practice in over 100 countries, including the United States. In Hawaii, biocontrol has been used for over 100 years, resulting in successful control of invasive plants such as prickly pear cactus, lantana, pamakani, emex, Klamath weed, and ivy gourd. Q. Why use biocontrol when other methods to control invasive
