The Hartbeespoort dam in South Africa used to be brimming with people enjoying scenic landscapes and recreational water sports. Now, the visitors are greeted to the sight of boats stuck in a sea of invasive green water hyacinth weed.
"In South Africa, we are faced with highly polluted waters," said Professor Julie Coetzee, who has studied water hyacinths for over 20 years. Now, scientists and community members have found a unique way to deal with the invasion by introducing a water hyacinth eating bug called Megamelus scutellaris.
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