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| Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Image: Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org |
Monday, May 13, 2013
Florida's Citrus Industry Battle's Invasive Foe
The invasive insect, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, carries and spreads a bacterial disease. The disease, called citrus greening, is being called the most serious threat the citrus industry has ever faced.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Customs Inspectors - On the Front Lines
Dave Munday's recent article in The Post and Courier states, " The notorious big-headed ant was intercepted before it could gnaw its way through the Lowcountry.
The ants, along with a bunch of other insects, were found April 30 in the port of Charleston, crawling around in a container of aluminum scrap metal on a ship from Costa Rica, according to Steve Switzer, spokesman for the local customs office.
The big-headed ant is listed among 100 of the “World’s Worst” invaders, he said. It not only threatens native plants and other insects, it’s known to chew on irrigation pipes, telephone cables and electrical wires.'"
Read the entire article
The ants, along with a bunch of other insects, were found April 30 in the port of Charleston, crawling around in a container of aluminum scrap metal on a ship from Costa Rica, according to Steve Switzer, spokesman for the local customs office.
The big-headed ant is listed among 100 of the “World’s Worst” invaders, he said. It not only threatens native plants and other insects, it’s known to chew on irrigation pipes, telephone cables and electrical wires.'"
Read the entire article
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| bigheaded ant, Pheidole fervens Image by Eli Sarnat, Bugwood.org |
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Nature's Rototillers: Feral Swine
Read the USDA blog, "Feral Swine: Ripping and Rooting Their Way across America", by Gail Keirn, APHIS Public Affairs Specialist.
More information on feral hogs across America:
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| Feral hogs, Sus scrofa Image: Vladimir Dinets, University of Miami, Bugwood.org |
Cogongrass in Georgia: Spring 2013 Update
Cogongrass in Georgia:
Spring 2013 Update from the Georgia Forestry Commission
Cogongrass flowering(seed production) becoming visible. Spring 2013 Update from the Georgia Forestry Commission
First cogongrass spot detected in Turner County.
Reports of Cogongrass as of 4-19-13
YEAR Detected spots Cum. # spots
Up to 2006 59 59
2007 37 96
2008 131 227
2009 110 337
2010 135 472
2011 130 602
2012 87 689
2013 34 723
How do you identify cogongrass flowers?
Cogongrass shoots in Georgia are beginning to emerge. Therefore, it is time to begin looking for cogongrass in its flowering stage. The flowers are 2-8 inches in length; light, fluffy dandelion-like seeds that are white in color and cylindrical in shape. Flowering time is dependent on the local climate, but is usually present from late March through early June. The cool spring weather in 2013 delayed the beginning of flowering until mid April in much of South Georgia. The photos below show cogongrass flowering at its peak, dispersal period.
What are the top five cogongrass detecting counties in Georgia? Decatur 163 sites
Seminole 82 sites
Early 65 sites
Grady 55 sites
Thomas 51 sites
Currently in 2013, cogongrass has been detected in 14 counties across south Georgia including: Baker, Brooks, Calhoun, Camden, Charlton, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Turner counties. Landowners are encouraged to inspect their property for cogongrass and report any new potential detections to the local Georgia Forestry Commission county office.
Cogongrass identification brochure and pocket ID available from the GFC:
Landowners are encouraged to spend time on their property searching for this invasive grass. Normally, cogongrass grows in circular patches. Identification brochures are available at your local Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) county office. Personnel from your local GFC office can make a positive identification on reported cogongrass finds. The "Cogongrass in Georgia" video showing the key identification features can be viewed at:
http://www.gatrees.org/ForestManagement/Cogongrass.cfm
Contact your local GFC County Office or Regional Forest Health Specialist to obtain copies of these two publications.
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| Dense mat, sharp pointed, covered in flaky scales, bright white under scales, strongly segmented. |
Leaves:
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2-5’ long blades, ½-1 inch wide, off-centered white mid-rib, margins finely serrated, green yellowish-green in color in summer with a tan color in winter. |
Circular growth pattern:
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| Grass patch will normally grow in a circular pattern. |
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| GaTrees.org - 1-800-GA-TREES |
Forest Health Specialists:
North Region: Lynne Womack
3086 Martha Berry Hwy,
Rome, GA 30165
(o) 706-295-6021
Cell 912-515-5180 lwomack@gfc.state.ga.us
Southwest Region: Mark McClure
NE 2910 Newton Rd.
Albany, GA 31701
(o) 229-430-5122
cell 229-869-8592
mmcclure@gfc.state.ga.us
Southeast Region: Chris Barnes
119 Hwy. 49
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(o) 478-445-5440
cell 912-601-7093
cbarnes@gfc.state.ga.us
Program Coordinator: Chip Bates
18899 US Hwy. 301 N.
Statesboro, GA 30461
(o)912-681-0490
cell 912-536-7544
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Running Bamboo Invasive in Connecticut
James Moshier writing for the Bulletin posted this story about bamboo in Connecticut, "Terri Groff, a retired nurse who is field researcher for the Institute of Invasive Bamboo Research, gave a briefing to the Preston Board of Selectmen on Thursday, noting that she has located two species of running bamboo — Yellow Groove Bamboo and/or Running Timber Bamboo — at 11 locations in the town. Groff lives in Preston."
Caryn Rickel,Seymour founder of the Institute of Invasive Bamboo Research has been working hard to get regulations passed for the control of running bamboos. She has written papers and trained volunteers to gather and report data on these invasive plants to EDDMappS. There have been 168 reports of Phyllostachys aureosulcata in Connecticut alone with many other reports of species in the genus, Phyllostachys, being reports in several states.
- Read the entire article in The Bulletin
- Infestations of Phyllostachys aureosulcata, Yellow groove bamboo reported to EDDMapS
- Pictures of Phyllostachys aureosulcata in Bugwood Images
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| Phyllostachys aureosulcata, Yellow groove bamboo Image by: Caryn Rickel, Institute of Invasive Bamboo Research, Bugwood.org |
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Fighting Zebra & Quagga Mussels at Washington State University
An excerpt from the recent article by WSU News: "Researchers at Washington State University are preparing for a Northwest invasion of the zebra mussel - a small, distinctly striped and rather tenacious freshwater mollusk that can quickly encrust underwater surfaces. The mussels have caused significant damage in other parts of the country and pose an enormous risk to the hydroelectric infrastructure, recreational facilities and unique ecological system of the Columbia River Basin."
Click here to read the entire article
Click here to read the entire article
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| zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha Photo by: Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org |
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Eight 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards Announced
Eight 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards Announced
Individuals and Organizations honored for their accomplishments controlling and preventing invasive species
03/22/2013
Contact: Lori Williams (NISC) (202) 354-1881
Jessica Kershaw (Interior) (202) 208-6416
Jessica Kershaw (Interior) (202) 208-6416
WASHINGTON, DC — The major national groups that coordinate the battle against invasive species today announced the 2013 National Invasive Species Achievement Awards. The awards recognize the dedication and collaborative efforts of local, state and federal officials; private citizens; and volunteers in preventing and controlling invasive species.
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, the National Invasive Species Council and the Federal Interagency Committee for Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds presented the awards to: The Lake George Association in New York; the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Austin, Texas; Rick Johnson, Thurston County, Wash.; Dr. Richard Reardon of the U.S. Forest Service; Dr. Richard Everett of the U.S. Coast Guard; and the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program; The Malheur Wildlife Associates, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon; and Ben Schrader in Texas.
These eight individuals and organizations were recognized for their accomplishments in the categories of leadership, volunteerism, outreach and education, and lifetime achievement, as follows:
- For Outstanding Achievement in Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach and EducationThe Lake George Association in New York is recognized for its Lake Steward program, which combines prevention measures to stop the spread of invasive species with public outreach and education, while collecting invaluable invasive species data.
- For Outstanding Achievement in Terrestrial Invasive Species Outreach and EducationThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin is recognized for leading invasive species efforts at the national, state and local levels through its innovative approach combining advocacy, education and public outreach with research and citizen science.
- For Lifetime Invasive Species Achievement – AquaticRick Johnson, Coordinator of the Thurston County Noxious Weed Agency in Washington State, is recognized for his 34-year record of commitment to invasive plant management, and has served on multiple weed management committees, boards and associations. Rick led a program for the management of Brazilian Elodea in the Chehalis River system, an initiative which spanned multiple agencies over the course of ten years.
- For Invasive Species Achievement – Terrestrial LifetimeDr. Richard (Dick) Reardon of the U.S. Forest Service, a leader of the Maryland and Appalachian Integrated Pest Management programs, is recognized for his career devoted to the management of forest pests and invasive plants. His work with mating disruption techniques was vital to the success of the gypsy moth Slow-the-Spread program. management.
- For Outstanding Aquatic Invasive Species LeadershipDr. Richard Everett of the United States Coast Guard is recognized for leading Coast Guard initiatives to prevent the arrival and spread of aquatic nuisance species and being instrumental in developing measures for the U.S. government and the international maritime community to prevent the spread of invasive species through ballast water.
- For Outstanding Terrestrial Invasive Species LeadershipThe Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program is recognized for leading the collaborative efforts of more than 30 organizations to control invasive species infestations through education programs, volunteer action, identifying policy improvements and coordinating regional response teams to address new invasive species infestations.
- For Outstanding Aquatic Invasive Species VolunteerThe Malheur Wildlife Associates, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon is recognized as a strong proponent of the Aquatic Health Program at Malheur refuge, where they have led efforts to combat the common carp, an invasive species.
- For Outstanding Terrestrial Invasive Species VolunteerBen Shrader, founder of the Invasive Hunter Academy in Texas, “Commander Ben,” is recognized for leading efforts to engage students in invasive species issues through his Invasive Hunter Academy, using interactive methods to teach about invasive species and their effects on native ecosystems.
“We applaud the winners of the invasive species achievement awards for demonstrating visionary leadership, innovation, and creativity in your efforts to protect our vital natural resources from the harmful impacts of invasive species,” said Lori Faeth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the Department of the Interior.
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