Scientists Release Natural Predator, of Invasive Weed in 'World First'.br 'Newsweek' reports that scientists in Australia are br looking to combat invasive water weeds by br releasing an army of the plant's nemesis: weevils.br The release is part of a cooperation between researchers at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Seqwater.br Seqwater, one of Australia's largest water companies, agreed to the release of weevils to prevent the spread of the invasive cabomba plant.br Seqwater, one of Australia's largest water companies, agreed to the release of weevils to prevent the spread of the invasive cabomba plant.br It is a world first. There is no biocontrol br program [for cabomba] happening br in any other parts of the world, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research br scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.br Cabomba caroliniana, a fast-spreading weed introduced to Australia from South America in the 60s, can wreak havoc on native plants and animals. .br It outcompetes all of our native plants br that used to live in the lakes and it can br affect animals as well because they don't br like to live in such a dense plant material, David Roberts, Senior scientist br with Seqwater, via 'Newsweek'.br Cabomba grows up to 5cm [nearly 2 inches] br a day, strangling native ecosystems, br choking waterways and impacting native br aquatic animal and plant populations, David Roberts, Senior scientist br with Seqwater, via 'Newsweek'.br According to 'Newsweek,' cabomba can also block br inlets and piping, posing a threat to both boaters br and swimmers who could get caught in its tendrils.br Cabomba has quite a few natural enemies br associated with it, but one thing that we br have to make sure is that they are specific br only to cabomba—it doesn't eat or br double up on other native plants, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research br scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.br Cabomba has quite a few natural enemies br associated with it, but one thing that we br have to make sure is that they are specific br only to cabomba—it doesn't eat or br double up on other native plants, Kumaran Nagalingam, senior research br scientist at CSIRO, via 'Newsweek'.