Alien Insects to be Released in UK
Even the title of this article should cause concern amongst anybody with any common sense.
It would appear that the ‘boffins’ are trying to suggest that they have the answer to Japanese Knotweed. Headlines have suggested that … ‘the curse of Japanese Knotweed could be at an end’ or that a … ‘bug brings hope’ in the war against invasive plants. As usual you need to read between the lines on this one!
Let’s have a look at what is being suggested.
DEFRA have announced plans to release the psyllid aphid into the wild. This psyllid is a jumping plant louse around 2mm long. The yellow and brown adults lay eggs on the knotweeds leaves where the newly hatched nymphs suck the sap and defoliate the plant.
They don’t kill the Japanese Knotweed - they just slow its spread. They don’t tackle the rhizome beneath the ground so the plant will continue to keep coming back year upon year.
In its native Japan - Japanese Knotweed is, to a certain extent, kept in check by predation from a variety of sources. Insects and certain types of fungus do keep the growth from getting out of control. However as previously stated they do not kill the plant…and Japanese Knotweed is still a problem. The Japanese Knotweed is still known by various nicknames in Japan all of which mean simply ‘strong plant’ or ‘difficult plant to kill’.
So, even in its native setting with no other variables - Japanese Knotweed is still problematic even with a full range of predators in their natural setting.
Why do we not realise that messing with nature is NOT A GOOD IDEA!!
That’s what got us into this situation in the first place…Victorian gardeners thought they were ‘masters of the universe’, and that they could move plants from one location to another without causing harm. Think about Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan balsam - all introduced by the Victorians without any thought as to how to manage their growth and spread.
So why do we imagine that introducing an alien insect species will be any different! Think about Cane Toads in New Zealand, think about rabbits in Australia…neither case is exactly the same as introducing an insect species as CABI are recommending… but still …can you imagine the consequences if it all goes wrong!!
What happens when the bugs decide to eat something else - one of our native species…YOU SIMPLY CANNOT SAY THAT THIS WONT HAPPEN….YOU JUST DON’T KNOW!!!
If the Government are serious about controlling Japanese Knotweed why not just legislate against its growth?
Why not make it illegal to have it on your land?
I’m not suggesting that overnight we will control the problem and am well aware of the financial considerations of legislative moves…but surely this would be the safest way to get rid of the plant?
DON’T introduce another pest which may cause massive damage to our native landscape -control the one mistake that has been made - with strategies that won’t harm our natural environment.
August 1st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Research indicates that the aphid does nor attack native species, it might evolve over several generations to get a taste for some. A stupid short-sighted idea!
I favour making it compulsory for landowners to eradicate it - and enforcing it (enforcement of legislation on ragwort also needs to be more effective).
August 25th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Ragwort legislation is exactly how it should be - completely useless. Ragwort is of more benefit than it is harmful to a few stupid horse owners who have no idea how to manage their paddocks or how to check that their hay suppliers have not filled their hay with Ragwort.
Let it live!!!!!
Thats what I think anyway