Cabomba flowers often extend above the water surface, making infestations more visible.
Biological control of cabomba
Cabomba, Cabomba caroliniana is a declared weed that has the potential to spread throughout aquatic habitats of Australia.
- 8 December 2006 | Updated 14 October 2011
Currently, there is little that can be done to control cabomba once it is established. Herbicides are largely ineffective and should not be used in or around public water supplies.
Some managers are using floating mechanical harvesters to remove cabomba, but these machines are expensive to purchase and operate, and are restricted to areas of deep water and wide channels. In addition, they only remove the tops of plants and the remaining stems soon grow back to the surface.
Cabomba research
It is likely the only method that will be effective in reducing cabomba is biological control. This method involves introducing host-specific insects from the weed's country of origin.
These herbivores feed specifically on the target plant and reduce the ability of the weed to out-compete other aquatic plant species.
Funded by Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) through the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH), and with support from a number of community groups, CSIRO Entomology began a project in 2005 to discover and test biological control agents from Argentina and adjacent countries in an effort to find a long-term sustainable solution to this problem.
CSIRO is currently studying several insects that look promising as biological control agents.
Project support
Support for the project is provided by:
- The Natural Heritage Trust funds administered by the Department of Environment and Heritage
- Mary River Catchment Coordination Committee
- Lake Macdonald Catchment Care Group
- Queensland Dept of Natural Resources and Water
- Burnett Mary Regional Group
- CSIRO Entomology
- Redland Shire Council, Redland Water, NQ Water, Pine Rivers Shire Council, Cal Aqua, Caloundra City Council, Noosa Council, Sunwater, South East Queensland Water Corporation Ltd, Mid North Coast County Weeds Advisory Committee, Maroochy Shire Council.
Learn more about Cabomba: a fast-growing submerged aquatic weed.
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Fast facts
- Cabomba is an introduced weed with the potential to spread through Australian aquatic habitats
- Current ineffective management involves floating mechanical harvesters and herbicides
- Cabomba negatively effects the environment, recreational activities, public safety and water quality
- Several insects are being researched as potential biocontrol agents
