British canals threatened by ferns turn to weevil power

Invasive water ferns which threaten wildlife on Britain's canals are to be targeted with weevils.

British Waterways is to release the 2mm-long creatures into the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal in Somerset to eat the plant, which are voracious growers, multiplying rapidly, covering the water surface with thick mats and killing wildlife. Weevils are very effective in destroying the plant without damaging other species. Last year, British Waterways spent more than £400,000 destroying the plants.