Neochetina
Guides
Neochetina eichhorniae
Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil, Mottled Water Hyacinth Weevil
Neochetina eichhorniae is a host-specific weevil native to Argentina and neighboring South American regions. It was introduced to Florida in 1972 as a biological control agent for the invasive aquatic weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and has since been established in more than three dozen countries worldwide. Adults feed on leaves and petioles, producing characteristic feeding scars, while larvae tunnel into petioles and the plant crown. The species has demonstrated substantial suppression of water hyacinth growth, reducing biomass, flower production, and water surface coverage.