Alien invaders introduced
Japanese knotweed was first introduced to the UK by the Victorians as an ornamental plant, but it soon escaped from gardens and began its rampant spread and costs the UK over £150m a year to control and clear.
A natural predator, a small insect in the weed’s native home of Japan could also help to control it here and a trial has been given the go-head.
Unfortunately, alarm bells are ringing, after all previous introductions of alien species to new habitats has been problematic in the past. What will control the Japanese bugs?
see story at BBC News – Insect that fights Japanese knotweed to be released.
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