APHIS Environmental Assessment Finds No Significant Impact for the Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) regarding the biological control of Brazilian peppertree. Brazilian peppertree is an invasive weed that poses a serious threat to biodiversity in many ecosystems and invades areas such as canal banks and fallow farmlands. APHIS experts analyzed the effect on the human environment of releasing leaf gallers Calophya latiforceps and Pseudophilothrips ichini as biological control agents. They determined their release will not have a significant impact. With this action, APHIS will begin issuing permits to release the leaf gallers.