Since 1965, Florida has used the alligatorweed flea beetle to control invasive mats; once established, it can cause them to collapse within about 3 months

A small but mighty insect, the alligatorweed flea beetle, has proven to be an efficient guardian against the spread of invasive alligatorweed. Originating from South America, this beetle relies solely on the weed for sustenance. While it flourishes in warmer climates, it falters during harsh winters. Remarkably, this method of biological control has effectively kept the invasive weed in check for over sixty years.