Weevils released into Stamford Millstream to help deal with invasive water fern
Azolla blocks essential light for aquatic flora and fish
One thousand weevils have been released into the Millstream in Stamford to help deal with an infestation!
It's hoped the small, beetle-like bugs will help get rid of an invasive water-fern called azolla - which blocks essential light for aquatic flora and fish.
The Stamford Millstream has been an important feature of Stamford for almost 1000 years, first mentioned in the Domesday Book back in 1086. The current channel was cut around 1640, feeding the Grade II listed King’s Mill with water from the River Welland in Tinwell.
Martin Ballard, East Mercia Rivers Trustee said, “Due to lack of flow, an infestation of Water Fern (Azolla filiculoides) occurred on the Millstream. Native to the Americas, it was introduced to the UK in the 19th century."
"A sales ban was issued in 2014 as it had become widespread on slow moving and stationary water bodies. Water Fern causes ecological damage by reducing light and oxygen reaching submerged flora and fauna, so it outcompetes native aquatic plants.
"It can block drainage systems and inhibits leisure activities such as angling and boating, and poses a risk to livestock and people when mistaken for solid land.”
East Mercia Rivers Trust worked with the Stamford Millstream Group to organise the release of the bugs last week (18/7) with funding supplied by Stamford Town Council.