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Biological control of an introduced weed like
purple loosestrife involves introducing
natural enemies of the weed from its place of
origin into its new home.
The search for insect natural enemies
began in Europe in the mid-1980’s.
One hundred and twenty insect species
were found to feed on loosestrife in Europe.
Of these insects, 14 were found to be
host-specific to Lythrum
species and 6 were recommended for further
study as potential biological control agents
in the USA.
Following years of laboratory and field
research on host specificity, five species
were cleared for use in the USA.
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