Moths munch their way through American problem

Story featured in the Press of Atlantic City (27.3.09)

Invasion of wetlands by common reed, Phragmites australis, is a major environmental problem across the eastern part of the United States. The plant, which is a common native species in Britain, was introduced to America by accident during the nineteenth century and has proved to be highly invasive. Many techniques have been used to try to control the invader, with high costs and limited success. Scientists at Cornell University have spent the past decade searching for a biological method to tackle the Phragmites problem. Starting with a list of 150 different species of fungus, pathogens and insects that had the potential to control the plant, they have narrowed the field of down to four moths, all of which are native to the UK: Twin-spotted Wainscot, Brown-veined Wainscot, White-mantled Wainscot (a UK BAP priority species) and Fen Wainscot.

Work is underway to evaluate the potential and risks associated with these species prior to further consideration of their release into the wild in America.