![]() ![]() ![]() Native and cultivated plants related to the weed are exposed to the biological control agent to see if they too are attacked. ![]() Once possible biological control agents have been identified, they are tested overseas to ensure that they are host-specific, that is, they will not attack any plant other than the weed to be controlled and therefore will not become a pest if introduced to Australia. These are usually organisms that have evolved along with the weed, but for some reason did not spread with it to new habitats in Australia. Potential biological control agents are found by examining the weed in its overseas area of origin and looking for damage caused by natural enemies of the weed. Biological control agents are usually insects, but fungi, bacteria and nematodes (eelworms) are sometimes used. Biological control is the use of natural predators and diseases as agents to attack weeds. ![]()
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