Biological control for knotweeds in North America

Knotweeds are a complex of closely related invasive plants in the genus Fallopia in the family Polygonaceae. Introduced into North America from Japan, these large herbaceous perennials form dense thickets that crowd out native plants, impede recreation, increase erosion, and reduce the quality of habitat for wildlife. They are particularly aggressive invaders of stream banks and flood plains. Our team is carrying out research to develop biological control program for knotweeds that would employ natural enemies introduced from the native range of the weeds (Japan).