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Biological Control Organisms |
| University of Florida | Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System |
Biological control
is the use of biological agents (fish,
pathogens, insects, plants...) to combat unwanted exotic species, in natural, recreational,
agricultural or other situations. Most often, but not always, biocontrol agents are also exotic.
Researchers travel to the countries of origin of the plants to find agents that naturally attack the
unwanted species. These agents are tested in quarantine for "host-specificity"; successful
candidates eventually are
released into their new environments. Sometimes the biocontrol agents are successful, sometimes
not.
In the case of nonindigenous aquatic and wetland weeds, biological control organisms have been tested and utilized since the 1960s.
Go to this web page of our web site for much more information.