title: Effective biological control of Salvinia molesta in the Senegal River by means of the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae.
abstract: The invasion of Salvinia molesta in the Lower Senegal River Delta in Mauritania and Senegal in 1999 posed a serious threat to the socioeconomic conditions of the local people as well as to wetland biodiversity. Eventually, an effective biological control of S. molesta was obtained by means of the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae, which was introduced in the river in Senegal and Mauritania in May 2000 and in Senegal in April 2001. In October 2001, it became apparent that the weevils were doing a magnificent job. The color of the plants was turning from green to dark-brown or black, and subsequently the plants started to sink to the bottom. Detailed monitoring of the dispersal of C. salviniae in November-December 2001 confirmed the visual observations of the outcome of biological control. In April 2002, it could be concluded that S. molesta was no longer a problem in the Senegal River.
authors.affiliation: Royal Tropical Institute, Department of Rural Change, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. arnoldhp@planet.nl
authors.forename: Arnold H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Pieterse
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kettunen
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diouf
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ndao
authors.forename: Khady
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarr
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarvainen
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kloff
authors.forename: Seppo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hellsten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001517:Coleoptera; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D029624:Ferns / Q000254:growth & development*; D008435:Mauritania; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D010945:Plants, Edible; D011157:Population Dynamics; D045483:Rivers; D012675:Senegal