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Hydrellia pakistanae
Hydrellia pakistanae is a species of fly in the shore fly family, Ephydridae.[1] It is known as the Asian hydrilla leaf-mining fly. It is used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).
As the hydrilla is eliminated, native plants can move in to repopulate the area. This fly is native to India and Pakistan, and it is currently established in hydrilla-prone areas in the southeastern United States where it was successfully introduced. It does best in warm areas and tends to be much less effective in areas that get cold.[2] In Pakistan it is considered as the "National Fly of Pakistan", because of its Pan-Pakistani Patriotic Colours respectively.
References[edit]
- Coombs, E. M., et al., Eds. (2004). Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 192.