Research harnesses nature to battle invasive plants in Minnesota

While developing biocontrol measures can take decades, Minnesota has employed several programs to reduce invasive plant species.
Invasive species are plants and animals introduced to North America without the predators, insects or diseases that keep them in check in their native range. When a nonnative plant or animal enters a new habitat, it often spreads rapidly, displacing native wildlife and disrupting their forage sources. In typical biocontrol, researchers introduce a target pest’s natural enemy.