Elodea nuttallii H.St.John (Planch.)

Many invertebrate herbivores, such as larvae of the generalist aquatic moth, Acentria ephemerella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), avoid feeding on E. nuttallii and preferably consume native species. First instar larvae exhibited a high mortality on E. nuttallii compared to the native macrophyte Potamogeton perfoliatus. Mortality of older larvae was also high when fed E. nuttallii exposed to high light intensities. Growth of older larvae was strongly reduced on E. nuttallii compared to pondweeds (Potamogeton lucens). (Erhard et al., 2007)

Dense stands of macrophytes have several negative consequences on the balance of the hydrosystem, for example the decomposition of E. nuttallii at the end of the growth season inducing a secondary eutrophication. Conducing to an intense bacterial metabolism produces anoxic, reducing conditions, which results in decreased rates of mineralization and in the accumulation of fermentation endproducts that are toxic to many plants (Santamaria, 2002). (Di Nino et al. 2005)

Elodea nuttallii can have major environmental and economic impacts. It can rapidly develop dense monospecific stands, which may fill entire lakes and watercourses, causing the reduction of native biodiversity and changing the balance of the entire ecosystem (Muller 2004; Barrat-Segretain 2005; Thiébaut and Di Nino 2009). (Steen et al., 2019)