INSECTS THAT WERE IMPORTED FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL and DATES OF RELEASE INTO FLORIDA
The biological control must be able to be capable of damaging the pest plants growth or reproduction before it is given field release.
1. Hydrilla Tuber Weevil (Bagous affinis) Orgin- India & Pakistian 1987
2. Asian Hydrellia (Hydrellia pakistanne 1988
3. Leaf-Mining Fly (Hydrilla baleiunas 1988
4. Hydrilla Miner (Cricotopus lebetis) 1992
5. Hydrilla Moth (Parapoynx diminutalis) Orgin-Asia 1976
This insect enter through the aquarium trade and was found eating hydrilla. It was not approved for release, but researchers found that the larvae of this moth can completely defoliate hydrilla.
6. Mottled Water Hyacinth Weevil (Neochetina eichhorniare) 1972
7. Chevroned Water Hyacinth Weevil (Neochetina bruchl) 1974
8. Water Hyacinth Moth (Niphograpta (=sameodes albiguttalis) 1977
9. Water Hyacinth Planthopper (Megamalus scutellaris) 2010
10. Water Lettuce Leaf Weevil (Neohydronomus affinis) 1986-1988
This insect has maintained some control of water lettuce, but also preys on Fire Ants, so it is a exotic insect with potential to control another exotic insect.
11. Water Lettuce Leaf Moth (Spodoptera pectinicorais 1990
This caterpillar from Thailand, worked well to conrol water lettuce in rice paddies.
Some of these insects provided to be very vital in biological control of plants & trees, but the aquatic weeds needed other forms of control.
USING FISH AS BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS FOR AQUATIC WEEDS IN FLORIDA
The White Amur (diploid grass carp), an exotic fish from the Amur River located in the Soviet Union, was permitted by the Department of Natural Resources for release in approximately 80 secure ponds, from March 1978, until October 1980. However, in 1980, the Fish & Game Commission's grave concerns over the amur being able to reproduce in several of the State's larger river systems, and the fact it's spawning methods being similar to the striped bass, and because the amur utilized practically every submersed aquatic plant present in Fl., it was felt the amur could seriously interfere with the sportfishing and water fowl hunting as a result of water quality degradation and reduction of desirable aquatic vegetation, it was decided to eliminate the use of the white amur in Florida.
