Brazilian bugs bite back at Umvoti Mouth

Armed with a box full of Brazilian bugs, KZN Ezemvelo’s Lionel van Schoor trekked to Jex Estates, Umvoti Mouth to release the army of creepy crawlies on the invasive alien plant, Pereskia last week.

The widely-spread Pereskia, commonly known as Barbados gooseberry, was originally brought across from Brazil and has no natural enemies, allowing it to grow wild on our coastline, strangling the indigenous plants.

Instead of using harmful pesticides that pollute the environment, disturb the soil or create large empty areas, KDM has opted for biological control supplied by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) entomologists (‘Bio-bugs unleashed on invasive weeds,’ August 6, 2016).

Van Schoor released the two bugs – Pereskia flea beetle and the Pereskia stem-wilters – who have two different attack tactics.

“The Pereskia flea beetle eats the leaves, forming large holes which allows light to pass through to the other plants underneath it. The stem-wilter eats the growth points of the stems, often causing them to split or rot,” said Van Schoor, who eagerly watched the little bugs make their way into the Pereskia.

The stem-wilter can only survive on Pereskia and will therefore have no impact on other plant species or crops.

He said they breed rapidly, with the Pereskia flea beetle adults laying eggs when they are only one to two weeks old, so they should reduce the alien plant from spreading quite quickly.

“We will monitor this area frequently to record the progress.”

For more information, contact Lionel van Schoor on 082 559 2847.

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