We have approved an application allowing the import and release of four insects to control the spread of purple loosestrife, an invasive wetland weed.

The approved insects are:

• two beetles that eat the leaves of the purple loosestrife: Neogalerucella calmariensis (commonly known as the black-margined loosestrife beetle) and Neogalerucella pusilla (commonly known as the golden loosestrife beetle)
• a root-feeding weevil, Hylobius transversovittatus (commonly known as the loosestrife root weevil)
• a weevil that eats purple loosestrife flowers, Nanophyes marmoratus (commonly known as the loosestrife flower weevil).

We called for public submissions on the application and held a public hearing before a decision-making committee on 18 March 2024. After considerable deliberation the decision-making committee reached a decision, which was notified on 7 May 2024.

You can read the presentations made to the decision-making committee by the applicant, submitters and us, and all documents relating to the application in our database.

Application documents for importing and releasing 4 Coleoptera insects to control purple loosestrife