Weevil borne microbes contribute as much to the reduction of photosynthesis in water hyacinth as does herbivory

► Water hyacinth weevils were demonstrated to be vectors for phyopathogens. ► Weevils carried both fungi and bacteria and transferred these to leaves on which they fed. ► These pathogens contributed as much to the decrease in photosynthetic productivity as did biomass removal. ► Hence, the selection and use of biocontrol agents needs to include their role as pathogen vectors to maximise efficiency.