What's eating my eichhornia crassipes?

Water hyacinth is browsed by several insects and waterfowl outdoors. The water hyacinth weevil and moth are its most significant biological foes, deliberately used in biocontrol programmes. In garden ponds, ducks and geese graze the rosettes, and aphids cluster on petioles. Nutrient-rich water drives lush growth that can mask early pest damage.

Adults scar and stipple leaf surfaces; larvae tunnel into petioles causing plant collapse and rotting Deliberately released as biocontrol in invasive-range countries; in ornamental ponds, remove by hand and maintain plant health to limit weevil impact

Dense colonies on petioles and undersides of leaves; yellowing, distortion, and sticky honeydew Knock off with a strong jet of water; introduce ladybirds or lacewing larvae; avoid over-fertilising nitrogen in pond water

Rosettes torn apart and dragged underwater; roots stripped from floating mats Use netting or pond perimeter barriers; site plants in areas with restricted waterfowl access