Projects & Initiatives

Phragmites Biocontrol in Ontario

Invasive Phragmites is considered the worst invasive plant in Canada due to its impact on our wetlands, waterways and natural areas.

What is Biocontrol?

Biological control – or “biocontrol” – uses host-specific living organisms to help suppress a target weed; in other words, biocontrol uses highly specific natural enemies to stop a target plant from growing.

Biocontrol gradually restores the natural balance between the invasive species and their natural enemies by re-uniting them in their new environment. Biocontrol will not eradicate Phragmites, but will instead gradually reduce its dominance, allowing native plants and animals to recover. This gradual, long-term suppression minimizes habitat disturbances that could otherwise allow invasive Phragmites or other weeds to re-invade the ecosystem.

Biocontrol Frequently Asked Questions

Video: A New Tool in the Phragmites Management Toolbox

Late-instar larvae of phragmites biocontrol agent.

Using Biocontrol to Manage Phragmites in Ontario

Invasive Phragmites is considered the worst invasive plant in Canada due to its impact on our wetlands, waterways and natural areas.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is proud to be working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Toronto and international partner CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International in Switzerland) on a new research partnership to implement biological control as an additional step in an integrated management strategy for invasive Phragmites, to help protect Canada’s natural spaces infrastructure from the most disruptive invasive plant in our modern history.

Biocontrol in Ontario – The Progress So Far

Photo: Late-instar larvae of phragmites biocontrol agent. Photo credit: Michael McTavish.

Moths are a new tool in the efforts against invasive Phragmites

Modern biocontrol agents undergo extensive study and host-range testing to ensure that they only eat their target and will not affect other species. For the Phragmites moths, over a decade of testing was conducted by an international research team from Switzerland, Canada and the USA before they were approved for release in 2019 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Photo: Moth adults emerging at field release. Photo credit: Michael McTavish.