BIOLOGICAL METHODS OF WEED CONTROL

Bioagent like insects, pathogen etc., and other animals are used to control weeds.
Insect and pathogens infest weeds and they either reduce growth or kill weeds.
Biological control method can reduce weeds but it is not possible to eradicate weeds.

Examples of Biological Weed Control

Bioagent	Weeds
Insect
Two beetles: Octotoma scabripennis and Uroplata giraldi	Lantana camara
Scale insect Dactylopius tomentosus.	Prickly-pear weed - Opuntia
Flea beetle Agasicles hygrophyla	Alligator weed – Alternanthera philoxeroides
*Fish*
Common carp (Cyprimus carpio) Chinese carp	Aquatic weeds
Mammals Manetee or sea-cow	Water hyacinth
Snails Marisa sp and other fresh water snails	Submerged weeds like coontail and algae
Fungi Rhizoctinia blight.	Hyacinth
Mites
Tetranychus sp	Prickly pear
Plants Cowpea as intercrop in sorghum	Effectively reduces the growth of weeds in sorghum