Australian scientists have identified a new potential weapon in the battle to control invading cane toads in Australia.

Professor Richard Shine from the University of Sydney led the study, which found a way to affect the growth of tadpole by using its own chemicals.

Unstoppable menace - the cane toad.

When cane toad eggs are exposed to this particular chemical emitted from tadpoles, the offspring from those eggs were less likely to survive.

Those exposed also grew much slower than a normal cane toad, developing into small toads, unlikely to survive in the wild.