Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes Mart. Solms, is an aquatic plant belonging to the family Pontederiaceae (Williams, 2006). It is a fast-growing plant that floats on water producing a beautiful, purple flower which makes it attractive for use in ornamental ponds and garden pools (Tipping et al., 2011). Water hyacinth is native to South America and has become one of the world most invasive aquatic weeds (Gupta & Yadav, 2020; Williams, 2006). It was first introduced into United States in 1800. Water hyacinth causes extensive damage by covering large water bodies, altering aquatic habitats by reducing dissolved oxygen levels and light penetration and blocking access to agricultural and recreational activities (Moran et al., 2016).

Dense mat of water hyacinth covering a body of water (left), water hyacinth flower growing in a tank in lab (right). Photo: Usman Mohammed

Biological control agents for water hyacinth in Florida

NAME & DESCRIPTION	PHOTO
*Neochetina eichhorniae* Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) commonly known as the mottled water hyacinth weevil, is native to south America and was introduced into Florida in 1972 as a biological control agent for water hyacinth. It was the first biocontrol agent released, after which N. bruchi, Niphograpta albigutatils, and Megamelus scutellaris followed in 1974, 1977 and 2010 respectively (Center et al., 1999; Tipping et al., 2011). *Neochetina bruchi* Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) or the chevroned water hyacinth weevil is also native to South America and has been introduced into 30 countries to control water hyacinth. The insect was first released in Florida in 1974 (Winston et al. 2014).	Neochetina eichhorniae (left) and Neochetina bruchi (right). Photo by: Willey Durden, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Niphograpta albigutatils Niphograpta albigutatils (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a moth that is native to the Amazon basin and was introduced into the United States to control water hyacinth in 1977 (Winston et al., 2014). Larvae of these moths tunnel through the plant and destroy the apical meristem and can often cause infected plants to lose buoyancy and sink.	Niphograpta albigutatils larvae inside water hyacinth. Photo by: Willey Durden, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Megamelus scutellaris Megamelus scutellaris Berg, (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is commonly known as the water hyacinth planthopper, is native to South America and was introduced into Florida in 2010 as a biological control agent for water hyacinth (Tipping et al., 2011).	Adults M. scutellaris, macropters with developed wings (first photo) and brachtypters with no wings (second photo). Photos by: Usman Mohammed

NAME & DESCRIPTION

PHOTO

Neochetina eichhorniae

Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) commonly known as the mottled water hyacinth weevil, is native to south America and was introduced into Florida in 1972 as a biological control agent for water hyacinth. It was the first biocontrol agent released, after which N. bruchi, Niphograpta albigutatils, and Megamelus scutellaris followed in 1974, 1977 and 2010 respectively (Center et al., 1999; Tipping et al., 2011).

Neochetina bruchi

Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) or the chevroned water hyacinth weevil is also native to South America and has been introduced into 30 countries to control water hyacinth. The insect was first released in Florida in 1974 (Winston et al. 2014).

Neochetina eichhorniae in the left and Neochetina bruchi in the right

Neochetina eichhorniae (left) and Neochetina bruchi (right). Photo by: Willey Durden, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Niphograpta albigutatils

Niphograpta albigutatils (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a moth that is native to the Amazon basin and was introduced into the United States to control water hyacinth in 1977 (Winston et al., 2014). Larvae of these moths tunnel through the plant and destroy the apical meristem and can often cause infected plants to lose buoyancy and sink.

Niphograpta albigutatils

Niphograpta albigutatils larvae inside water hyacinth. Photo by: Willey Durden, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Megamelus scutellaris

Megamelus scutellaris Berg, (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is commonly known as the water hyacinth planthopper, is native to South America and was introduced into Florida in 2010 as a biological control agent for water hyacinth (Tipping et al., 2011).

Adult Megamelus scutellaris, macropters with developed wings

Adult Megamelus scutellaris, brachtypters with no wings

Adults M. scutellaris, macropters with developed wings (first photo) and brachtypters with no wings (second photo). Photos by: Usman Mohammed