It looks as if the hunter will finally become the hunted as plans are given the go ahead for a trial involving the psyllid insect - Aphalara Itadori from Japan.
In Japan, the insect is a natural predator of Japanese knotweed, as they feed on the sap of the plant, stunting it's growth.
It sounds great in theory as I'm sure many of you will agree. I managed to fill three large bags with roots in my garden last spring...and I still couldn't get rid of the damn knotweed, twirling it's way up my roses! ;)
I think we all agree - it's not only a real blight on the landscape but a real threat to biodiversity in Wales.
However, the question I want to know is this - If the trials are successful and the insects are introduced into the food chain - what happens when all the knotweed has been eaten?
What will they eat next?
Your thoughts are, as always, very welcome - please login and add a comment.
Read more on this story on BBC News.
Find out more about invasive plants in Wales.
Gull
In Japan, the insect is a natural predator of Japanese knotweed, as they feed on the sap of the plant, stunting it's growth.
It sounds great in theory as I'm sure many of you will agree. I managed to fill three large bags with roots in my garden last spring...and I still couldn't get rid of the damn knotweed, twirling it's way up my roses! ;)
I think we all agree - it's not only a real blight on the landscape but a real threat to biodiversity in Wales.
However, the question I want to know is this - If the trials are successful and the insects are introduced into the food chain - what happens when all the knotweed has been eaten?
What will they eat next?
Your thoughts are, as always, very welcome - please login and add a comment.
Read more on this story on BBC News.
Find out more about invasive plants in Wales.
Gull
