Neochetina

Neochetina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Family:	Curculionidae
Genus:	Neochetina Hustache, 1926
Species
N. eichhorniae N. bruchi

Neochetina is a genus of weevils known as water hyacinth weevil which are native to South America.

Neochetina feed almost exclusively on the highly vigorous water hyacinth. There are at least two species: N. eichhorniae or mottled water hyacinth wevil which gets its name from the plant it feeds on (Eichhorniae spp.) and N. bruchi or chevroned water hyacinth wevil which is characterized by a chevron–shaped marking on its back.

Both weevils have been introduced extensively in countries around the world to help control water hyacinth growth which threatens to choke numerous waterways and lakes worldwide.

External links

• University of Florida's Biological Control Of Invasive Plants RE: Eichhornia crassipes