Oh dear. Nothing in this article mentions predators for the psyllids (“Knotweed under attack as biologists release killer beetles,” 9 March, building.co.uk)

Cane toads were introduced into Australia to prey on beetles that eat sugar cane, but they are now considered an invasive species and pest because they eat pretty much anything they can catch. Unfortunately, cane toads are also poisonous, and have no natural predators in the areas to which they have been introduced.

Ecosystems are very finely balanced and this new introduction could cause more damage than it prevents. Has a proper risk assessment been carried out for this proposed introduction?

Rob Liddiard

Postscript

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