Biologists have released an exotic leaf flea at three locations in the Netherlands to see if it can help combat the invasive Japanese knotweed. The University of Leiden reports this on Thursday.
Biologists have released an exotic leaf flea at three locations in the Netherlands to see if it can help combat the invasive Japanese knotweed. The University of Leiden reports this on Thursday.
After the winter, it must be checked whether the flea has survived the season. In the spring, fleas are released again to see whether they nest in our country and whether they reproduce. It is not yet known how well the flea can survive in the Dutch climate.
Suzanne Lommen of Leiden University reports in an online message that no side effects are expected from the experiment on nature. For example, previous studies have been done with the flea, which show that they do not affect native plants or important crops.
If the fleas occur in large numbers at the check-ups, they may already be doing enough damage to the knotweed. The first results of the trial should become clear in “a few years”. If the animal successfully settles in the Netherlands, the researchers hope to release the flea in more places in the country.
Knotweed came to the Netherlands in the nineteenth century
In the nineteenth century, a scientist brought the knotweed from Japan and planted it in Leiden. From there, the plant began to emerge in more and more places and even overpower native plants.
The plants can attack foundations, pavements and dikes with their roots. In some cases, the weeds can grow through asphalt. According to Leiden University, the damage caused by the plant amounts to millions of euros annually.
