Widely Prevalent Fungi List

We've recently launched a new site for showing what fungi are considered "widely prevalent" by different state extension specialists and mycologists. The list will be used by APHIS-PPQ to develop a list of fungal plant pathogens that are common in each state to help expedite the permitting process for obtaining research isolates. You can see the new site at www.prevalentfungi.org.

More information, including criteria for expedited permits, is available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/organism/wpp/index.shtml

When the fungal list is completed by APHIS it will be posted on this website.

Comments about the interface can be directed to the Bugwood Webmaster. Comments about the project itself can be directed to Carrie Lapaire Harmon and Carol Stiles at the University of Florida.

Newspapers in Norway

We do get image use request from all over the world. Occasionally, we get a copy of the material the pictures get used in. Here is a recent use of an image in a Norwegian Newspaper. If I was up on my lanuguages, I'm sure that I would find it to be a great article on Pine Wilt Nematode.

Article on Bradford Pears

Interesting article on Bradford pears from the Washington Post can be found here.

Spotted knapweed to be listed as noxious weed in Missouri.

See article here.

New images from Terry Spivey

Many of you may know of Terry Spivey from his wildlife images he took while working for the Forest Service. He has now retired and started "Terry Spivey Photography". He was kind enough to send os some of his latest digital work. You can take a look at the new material on his new author page.

Ash trees, baseball bats and a great idea

Wilmette, Illinois has started a very resourceful program to make use of the ash trees being removed from their city due to emerald ash borer infestations. This was picked up by the Today Show. You can watch the story at the MSNBC site.

Invasive insects, hobbyists, and overseas trade

Customs and Border Protection has enough work to do monitoring cargo to catch incidental introductions of exotic pests. Unfortunately, there are individuals who often miss the big picture and think that some of these critters might make a good pet! MSNBC posted an article recently about one such interception.

Online Crop Biosecurity Training

The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) has released an online crop biosecurity training course on April 1, 2008. County extension agents, crop consultants, Master Gardeners, and others interested in assisting in the protection of U.S. agricultural and natural areas should complete the training. Topics covered include: the Mission of the NPDN, Monitoring for High Risk Pests, Diagnosing Plant Problems, Submitting Diagnostic Samples, Photography for Diagnosis, and Disease and Pest Scenarios. Participants receive the First Detector newsletter, pest alerts, and state/regional pest information of interest in some instances.

First Detectors are an important first line resource for the early detection of exotic pests. In addition to the online training, the NPDN offers numerous local training sessions. Visit the NPDN Training Site to search for face-to-face and/or hands-one training in your local area. In some states, advanced, special topic training may be available once core content has been completed.

General questions about First Detector training, including how to conduct training in your state, can be directed to national coordinator, Amanda Hodges

Cooperative Prevention of Invasive Wildlife Introduction in Florida

New report from the Environmental Law Institute recommends ways in which state and federal agencies can more effectively prevent harmful nonnative wildlife from being introduced into Florida.

http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11282

New emerald ash borer images

We've just received a great set of images showing Agrilus planipennis laying eggs! These images were taken by Marianne Prue from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. You can view them at her author page.

"Wiki" training provided by the Bugwood Network

As many of you are aware, we have launched the BugwoodWiki; A wiki that has direct access to the Bugwood Image Archives. Authorship for the wiki is restricted to "BugwoodWiki Scholars"; individuals who have asked to be authors and have some credentials or experience to back up their articles. We also require the authors to put their name on their articles so that they can be properly credited if the article is used elsewhere. All of the articles may be used in non-profit, educational publications as long as all of the citations are maintained.

One of the barriers to using any "wiki" is learning the "wiki language". Although it is a very easy format to write in, the concept of learning a new language and flashbacks of past experiences with HTML is often a deterrent. To help ease this dread, the Bugwood Network is offering online training sessions. The first of these training sessions is a basic lesson to get people started. It will provide people with a basic set of skills to use while editing any MediaWiki system (BugwoodWiki, eXtension, Wikipedia, etc.).

If you are interested in attending a session or just becoming a BugwoodWiki Scholar, contact our webmaster.

Southeast Asian Vegetable and soybean pests and their natural enemies

We've just added an excellent set of images from the book "Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia" by B.M. Shepard, G.R. Carner, A.T. Barrion, P.A.C. Ooi and H.van den Berg. You can see these images at their author page.

Commercially available biological controls

We have finally finished entering the information from the Commercially Available Biological Controls list into the BugwoodWiki. THe list was originally compiled by Linda Mahaffey and Whitney Cranshaw at Colorado State University. They graciously have allowed us to post that information here.

Burmese pythons in the Everglades

New images from the National Park Service at Everglades National Park have been added to the system. Images include American alligators and invasive Burmese pythons. I have organized a collection of some of the best pictures here. If you would like to see all of the pictures browse by subject or photographer. WARNING: Some of the pictures are graphic!