Listronotus elongatus

Listronotus elongatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Curculionidae
Genus: Listronotus
Species:
L. elongatus
Binomial name
Listronotus elongatus
(Hustache, 1939)

Listronotus elongatus is a species of weevil native to South America, of the genus of underwater weevils Listronotus.[1] It lays eggs on and eats the invasive floating pennywort. The larvae also eat into the stems, reducing the pennywort's ability to grow.

Despite not being native to Britain, it has been introduced into waterways in Britain for biocontrol of the floating pennywort, following extensive research to establish that the weevil is not a threat in itself.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Listronotus elongatus, natural enemy of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides". Invasive Species Compendium. Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). 24 November 2019.
  2. ^ Horton, Helena (17 May 2022). "South American weevils released in UK waterways to tackle invasive weed". The Guardian.