Why am I not convinced

[Miss Demeanour]

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly springs to mind with this story ....



Millions of sap-sucking insects are to be introduced to control Japanese knotweed.

The psyllid is the name given to a whole family of jumping plant lice that are found all over the world. But the different species tend to be very "host specific" meaning they will only eat one type of plant.

This makes them very useful in biocontrol because they can be released to kill one type of plant without affecting other wildlife.

Japanese scientists creating robot-insectsThe psyllid Aphalara itadori, to be released in Britain, only eats Japanese knotweed. The insects were brought to the UK from a specific location in southern Japan where the plant grows on rocky volcanic slopes and the climate is similar to the UK.

The aphid-like insect is about 2mm long and is an orange or brown colour. Typically the psyllid will only live for a few weeks and go through two or three life cycles in one summer. It lays thousands of eggs which hatch and immediately start sucking sap from the plant through its sharp mouth.

The winged insects are currently being bred in captivity in Britain but could spread once they are released, using the wind to carry them further.

However psyllid will be eaten by native predators like spiders and wasps and should die out once Japanese knotweed is brought under control.

[Barman]

You're right Miss D - we're doomed! 

[Nick]

Shouldn't this be called "Why am I knot convinced"?

Geddit? Eh? 

[Miss Demeanour]

You've had some All Bran haven't you ? 

[Nick]

 

[Barman]

 

[Grumpmeister]

These things have been introduced in the UK? 

Genetically engineered insects + Nick-o-rays????