The Greater Mekong, which is made up of 600,000 square kilometres of wetlands and rainforest along the Mekong River in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and China is home to over 1000 new species.
More information at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3761269/Spider-as-big-as-a-plate-among-scores-of-new-species-found-in-Greater-Mekong.html
We have been releasing a new set of images by Alfred Viola. He and his wife, Joy Viola, have spent quite a bit of time taking images while traveling to all 7 continents. This is a wonderful collection of images that continues to grow. You can see the latest images on Alfred's author page.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the finding of a Mediterranean fruit fly population in the El Cajon area of San Diego County, California. APHIS is designating portions of San Diego County as a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantine area and is applying restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from that area. These actions are necessary to prevent the spread of Medfly to noninfested areas of the United States.
More information at: http://westernfarmpress.com/news/medfly-quarantine-1204/
Article in The Chicago Tribune here.
We have some new images from one of our European cooperators. These are some absolutely beautiful images of various forest pests, may of which are exotic pests that we do not want to see here. Take a look at Gyorgy Csoka's new in images on Forestry Images!
We've received some wonderfull images from Joy Viola that are now available. She and her husband Alfred have been traveling the world capturing images of animals and plants. In this latest set is a group that I particularly appreciated: Polar bears! I wonder if they are always this funny or if it is only when the photographers visit. Take a look at these and more on Joy Viola's photographer page
We have just released a set of excellent images showcasing weedsand invasive plants of Mexico. These were sent to us by Heike Vibrans, Colegio de Postgraduados and were taken by his colleague Pedro Tenorio-Lezama. Take a look at these images wonderful Weeds of Mexico. You can also check out the Malezas de Mexico (Weeds of Mexico) site run by Heike Vibrans.
A while a go, the idea was put forward to create a common online resource that Diagnosticians could use for psting media recipies, testing procedures, and other useful protocols. We've given a start to that project within the BugwoodWiki. Take a look at the beginning of this effort we've called the Diagnosticis's Cookbook.
The Bugwood wiki has 'permission only' authorship. If you would like to contribute to this resource as an author or just by submitting material, contact Joe LaForest.
We have some new images from Alan Windham at University of Tennessee showing Hosta Virus X on many different cultivars. For those of you not familliar with this emerging disease, these do show the wide range of symptoms that can be found. Visit the Hosta Virus X subject page or take a look at these and others in Alan Windham's author profile page.
We have images from a new contributor, Elizabeth Bush at Virginia tech. She sent some very nice images covering everything from field shots of diseases to images of the microscopic spores. See her latest images on her author page.
For those of you interested in global warming, there is a new online book that was written by one of our more prolific photographers and her husband. You can find "Cool the Earth, Save the Economy" by John & Mary Ellen Harte at their Cool the Earth website.
We've just added a new feature to IPM Images that will later be available on all of our image sites: Author Profile Pages. These pages give you a chance to let people know a little bet about you and/or your organization. Here are a few examples:
If you are a photographer and want to set up your own profile, go to our Author's Tools Page and use the "Edit profile" link.
As general rules:
See what has been happening in the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area Urban Programs. You can find the fall newsletter at their Urban & Community Forestry Website.
It seems that everyone is using the social networking sites for just about everything. Seems like a good idea...checkout our new group on Facebook!
Getting people to understand the danger of moving firewood is difficult, especially since few people really appreciates "high and mighty preaching". The folks at Don't Move Firewood.org have come up with some informative and humorous advertisements to drive the point home. Take a look at their video section and enjoy!
February 21, 2009
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!
The Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin is pleased to announce that their 2009 conference will be held in conjunction with the annual Prairie Enthusiasts Banquet. Anyone who has an interest in grassland stewardship can't afford to miss these two exciting events! The "Invasive Species of Grasslands" conference will present intermediate- to advanced-level information on combating invasive plants of grasslands in the upper Midwest through on-the-ground initiatives, informed planning and monitoring, and advocacy. Information will be practical and directly applicable to the efforts of grassland managers. The annual Prairie Enthusiasts all-chapter Banquet will be held after the conference, and will be preceded by a social mixer. This is your chance to participate in the raffle and silent auction that are important sources of funding for the chapters. This also provides an opportunity to network and meet up with old friends.
We're also thrilled to announce a keynote presentation that will certainly fascinate conference participants and stimulate further discussion: Biofuel and Prairie Restoration. The presenters, Steve Bertjens (Southwest Badger RC&D) and Bill Johnson (Alliant Energy), will share their visions for a future where trees, brush, invasive plants and native grasses can be harvested from prairies and burned as cellulosic biomass, providing a renewable energy source for the Upper Midwest.
Conference attendees will be able to choose from 15 different sessions throughout the day. The three general topic `tracks' are:
Species-Specific Information. Learn to develop sound strategies for invasive plant management based on plant form (herbaceous versuswoody), life history (monocarpic versus perennial), and means of spread. Each session provides an overview of species, control strategies universal to the target life history form, and species-specific control measures. Just a few of the species to be covered: spotted knapweed, leafy spurge, and crown vetch.
Techniques, Equipment, Tools, Control Strategies. Learn how to get the job done on the ground by learning how to work with contractors, advanced strategies for managing invasive plants (bulk tree removal bids, managing exotic cool-season grasses, interseeding, avoiding Incidental Take), which tools and equipment are available and the best buy for your money, which herbicides to use and how to apply them, and how to create an invasive species management plan.
Policy, Funding, Outreach, Prevention Strategies. Learn how to help battle invasive species without getting dirty and sweaty by advocating for updated federal and state policies relating to invasive species (including the proposed state invasive species rule), by creating cooperative weed management areas, by promoting and adopting
sensible prevention strategies (adopting best-management practices, monitoring and modulating roadside mowing), and by utilizing harvested invasive plant material and prairie plants for biofuel.
For more details, go to www.ipaw.org <http://www.ipaw. org/>
There is an article in the latest issue of Inoculum, the Newsletter of the Mycological Society of America, about the Widely Prevalent Fungi List. You can find Inoculum at http://www.msafungi.org/inoculum. The article is on page 32 of the November 2008 Issue.
We've just put up a new set of images contibuted by Paul Bachi at the University of Kentucky. This collection has a wide variety of diseases and a good mix of field, laboratory, and microscopic images. Take a look at Paul Bachi's author page on IPM Images. We will be adding more in the next few days but there are already 648 available!
We've just put up a new set of images contibuted by Mary Ann Hansen at Virginia Tech. This collection has about 148 image at this point with about 600 on the way. Take a look at Mary Ann Hansen's author page on IPM Images.
Join the Stewardship Network during the eastern time zone's lunch hour (11:45am to 1pm EST) on the second Wednesday of each month for a free interactive online discussion and presentation about various topics relating to caring for natural lands and waters.
Wednesday November 12, 2008
Time: 11:45am to 1pm Eastern
"Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA)"
Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA) are local organizations that integrate invasive plant management resources across jurisdictional boundaries to benefit entire communities. They allow partners to share and leverage limited resources, raise awareness about invasive plant problems, and provide a mechanism for collaborative problem-solving on both public and private lands. Each one of the Stewardship Network Clusters is a CWMA. Join Kate Howe and Lisa Brush to learn more about how to form a cooperative effort to combat invasives and what the benefits are.
Location: www.stewardshipnetworkwebcast.org (this link becomes live the day of the webcast, until then it will just take you back to the Stewardship Network website.)
Webcast led by the following experts:
Kate Howe- Coordinator, Midwest Invasive Plant Network Kate Howe works for Purdue University as the Coordinator of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN), an organization dedicated to reducing the impacts of invasive plant species in the Midwest. Kate has worked as MIPN Coordinator since January 2005. Her previous jobs include working as Statewide Environmental Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife, and doing scientific research on the causes and consequences of plant invasions in prairies and forests. She has a M.S. in Ecology from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington.
Lisa Brush - Executive Director, Stewardship Network. Lisa has worked in the environmental field in Michigan for the last fifteen years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Stewardship Network and has been involved with the Network since its inception more than 10 years ago. She has a wealth of experience helping non-scientific people understand scientific issues. For over nine years, as she has built and coordinated the Stewardship Network, she has emphasized effective and meaningful stakeholder involvement in developing and implementing all aspects of this program.
Story on the state of forests in Georgia from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.
From NPR All Things Considered, October 18, 2008
The Nature Conservancy and wildlife officials have enlisted the help of postal carriers in the Florida Keys to defend against the invasive Burmese Python. Mail carrier Marsha Fletcher-Shew talks about these "python patrols," and Kristina Serbesoff-King, invasive species program manager for the Conservancy, explains why the snakes are such a problem.
To hear the story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95867920
For more information see article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/ap_on_re_us/beetle_battle
Invasion biologists rejoice! Article about using switchgrass as a biofuel crop in Oklahoma here.
Invasive Exotic Plants of North Carolina is now available electronically on the North Carolina Department of Transportation's website at: http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/pe/neu/NEUProcedures/NCDOT_Invasive_Exotic_Plants.pdf
The primary purpose of this guide is to provide technical information regarding the identification of those plants that pose the most threat to wildlife habitat and natural areas, habitats most susceptible to invasion, and methods to control or eradicate these plants.
The 74 species of exotic plants highlighted in this guide are included as a result of input from a variety of sources and agencies. In addition to the list of invasive plants compiled by the North Carolina Native Plant Society that was used as a starting point for the content of this guide, a number of state and federal agencies made suggestions based on their experience managing natural areas. The plants are divided into three main categories depending on their reported impact to natural areas: 1) threat to habitat and natural areas, 2) moderate threat to habitat and natural areas, and 3) watch list. The 17 species in the threat section are known to be invasive and to degrade habitat. Those 17 species listed as a moderate threat do not, at present, appear to be as significant of a problem in natural areas. The watch list includes 40 species that have caused problems in neighboring states, are currently found in localized areas but should be watched for expansion in range, and/or are state-listed noxious weeds. Information pertaining to the identification of the species on the watch list and their current status in neighboring states or in North Carolina is presented in this section.
This guide also contains appendices containing information on native plant alternatives, the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (SE-EPPC) mapping project for early detection of infestations, additional resources for exotic and native plants, and the Federal Noxious Weed List.
Interesting article about seed dispersal by hikers here.
The North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (NC-EPPC) will hold its
2008 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 10, at Reedy Creek Park in
Charlotte, NC. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at
3:00. The NC-EPPC business meeting will begin at 3:15 and conclude at
4:00. Lunch and breaks will be provided as part of registration. Please
find directions on the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation web site:
It's quite a line-up this year; topics will include Cogongrass,
Bushkiller, Hydrilla, using volunteers, and more! Dr. George Kessler,
Dr. Jim Matthews, Bridget Robinson Lassiter, and Greg Antemen are just a
few of the exciting speakers for this year's meeting.
Because of our late meeting notice, we would at least like
to have an electronic response sent to Charles Yelton
(charles.yelton@ncmail.net) in
order to estimate refreshment and food needs. Registration is $25.00 and
includes breaks and lunch. Participants are also encouraged to sign up
as members. The mission of the NC-EPPC is to:
* Provide a focus for issues and concerns regarding exotic pest
plants in North Carolina.
* Facilitate communication and the exchange of information regarding
all aspects of exotic pest plant control and management.
* Provide a forum where all interested parties may participate in
meetings and share in the benefits from the information generated
by Council.
* Promote public understanding regarding exotic pest plants and
their control.
* Serve as an advisory Council regarding funding, research,
management, and control of exotic pest plants.
* Facilitate action campaigns to monitor and control exotic pest
plants in North Carolina.
* Review incipient and potential pest plant management problems and
activities and provide relevant information to interested parties.
For further information
regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact me.
We look forward to a productive and informative meeting!
Sincerely,
Charles Yelton
NC-EPPC President
Registration is now open for the joint annual meeting of The North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS) and the Mid-West Invasive Plant Network (MIPN). The meeting will be held Dec. 8-11th in Indianapolis, IN.. Registration information can be found here under the annual meeting tab.
Current oak tree mortality levels are reaching 10% and higher in woodlands on and near the Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest in California according to the US Forest Service. See article here.
Ray Cloyd and Stanton Gill are working on a book on greenhouse pests. They need a few more images to finish their illustrations. Here are the images they are looking for:
nymphs and adults of
close ups of
You can contact Stanton Gill directly and/or you can contact Bugwood.
Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Annual Meeting
September 19-20, 2008
Elachee Nature Science Center, Gainesville, Georgia
Invasive non-native plants are an increasing threat to Georgia’s natural areas and
forests. Join GA-EPPC and a team of experts in the field on Friday, September
19 for an all-day program that includes the latest information about invasive plants in Georgia, collaborative management efforts, policy issues, new infestations, reporting and mapping, and management techniques. During the lunch break, discussion groups focusing on several topics will be conducted. On Saturday, GA-EPPCs highly successful “Invasive, Non-native Plant Identification and Control Workshop” will be offered. Registrants have the option of selecting
either Friday or Saturday, or may register for both. A one-year membership in
GA-EPPC is included in the cost of registration for non-members.
Foresters, land managers, homeowners, landowners, extension agents, gardeners,
and nursery and landscape professionals are encouraged to attend.
Keynote speaker Dr. James H. Miller, Research Ecologist with USDA Forest
Service Southern Research Station in Auburn AL, will discuss Progress on the
Invasive Plant Front. Jim has worked with invasive plant management for many
years and is author of Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests and coauthor of Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses.
Pesticide applicator, certified arborist and CFE credits are available to attendees.
Detailed information about program and speakers available at: www.gaeppc.org
New Publication: Wildland fire in ecosystems: fire and nonnative invasive plants
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr042_6.html
Eric Comley, graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University has published the first discovery of the Chinese tallowtree (Sapium sebiferum). Chinese tallowtree was "introduced by Benjamin Franklin and promoted by the U.S. Forest Service for soap potential and later as an ornamental due to the tree’s beautiful fall color." It was first introduced into South Carolina in the 1700s. The plant discovered by Mr. Comley was eradicated so that the spread of the species is limited.
Eric's discovery was published in the June 2008 edition of the journal Castanea.
More information at: http://www.biology.eku.edu/news/news.php
UGA Cooperative Extension Releases Native Plant Publication
Cooperative Extension and the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia are pleased to announce the release of a new publication entitled Native Plants for Georgia, Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines. The publication is the result of a two year collaboration with members of the Georgia Native Plant Society, Master Gardeners, naturalists, foresters, and botanists from many professions. It includes descriptions and photos of 66 native trees, 57 native shrubs and 5 native woody vines. The purpose of the publication is to describe native plants available in the nursery trade as well as those native plants that have potential for nursery production and landscape use. Rare or endangered species are not described. The 164-page publication includes over 400 color photographs and is available in a printer-friendly version for downloading at the following web site:
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B987/B987-contents.htm
Interesting article on the start of the red imported fire ant invasion in the United States here.
According to a Chicago Tribune story, one specimen of ALB has been found in a Chicago parking lot. This has lead to a storm of questions and a wide search to find the tree this beetle came from. About 5 years ago, the eradication effort was considered successful but monitoring continued for the pest. The full story is available at the Chicago Tribune.
There have been some new announcments regarding EAB recently...more states with reported finds. Virginia on July 14th, Missouri on July 23rd and Wisconsin on August 1st have reported new finds. To keep up on the latest information or to learn more about identifying the pest, slowing its spread, and other control or prevention measures check out www.emeraldashborer.info. They have done an excellent job of compiling this information.
On June 2, 2008, the TIPPC became formally established in the State of Texas. Way to go Texas! For more information see here.
A new website trys to educate people on the dangers of moving firewood. The website can be found here.
We've been working on installing some new features in the BugwoodWiki. These are meant to be helpful additions to make editing easier and provide added functionality. Here is a list of the new features (Click on the link for more details):
Ga. Dept. of Agriculture
Bans sale of Cogongrass
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has issued a statewide ban on the sale of Cogongrass, a non-native and aggressively invasive species of grass.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is already listed as a noxious weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and is therefore illegal to transport across state lines.
The new action makes the growing, cultivation or sale of the plant a violation within the state of Georgia.
The grass is sold under the names Japanese blood grass and Red Baron grass. There is a reddish tint to the leaves which accounts for its name and sole ornamental quality. Cultivars such as ‘Red Baron’ are thought to be sterile (producing no viable seed), but long-term behavior of the plant is unknown. Cultivars of the grass have demonstrated aggressive spreading by their roots. They will also sometimes revert to green.
State and federal agencies have been working together for four years to detect all known Cogongrass infestations and to eradicate them.
Cogongrass can form a dense mat that makes it nearly impossible for other plants to coexist. It disrupts ecosystems, reduces wildlife habitat and decreases tree seedling growth. “Think of kudzu as a grass,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin.
This ban is part of an ongoing effort among the nursery industry, USDA Forest Service, University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Forestry Commission to prevent further introductions of cogongrass into the environment.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has 24 inspectors that will enforce the ban and help educate nurseries and garden centers about this new regulation.
“Georgia garden centers and nurseries are stocked with plenty of other ornamental grasses or other plants that will substitute for these grasses,” said Commissioner Irvin. “Everyone agrees this is a wise precautionary measure.”
Tom Harrington (Iowa State University) and Stephen Fraedrich (USDA Southern Research Station) have recently published a description of the fungus causing Laurel wilt and have named it Raffaelea lauricola. The article in the April-June issue (104) in Mycotaxon will soon be available online. Until the article is released, you can see the press release about this naming at Iowa State University and Science Daily.
The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) has developed an educational program for crop consultants, county extension educators, and for those who monitor the health of crops. These programs provide training for "First Detectors" - people who are trained to have a heightened awareness to the potential for exotic pests or diseases. Their training sessions and online training modules provide a good resource for people interested in acting as First Detectors. You can find more information about the program at the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory or can jump directly to the NPDN Training Site for First Detectors.
We have been working with the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS) to provide quality images of pests that may be of concern to the United States. We've found a few species that we currently have no images to illustrate. If you happen to have some images of these creatures that you would like to share, please contact Joe LaForest
Slugs and Snails
Tropical Leatherleaf Slug (Laevicaulis alte)
Veronicellid Slug (Leidyula moreleti)
Land Snail (Macrochlamys indica)
Two-striped Slug (Veronicella cubensis)
Veronicellid Slug (Veronicella sloanii)
Camaenidae Snail (Zachrysia provisoria)
Snail (Zachrysia trinitensis)
Ampullariid Snail (Pomacea sp./spp.)
Budapest Slug (Tandonia (Milax) budapestensis)
White Garden Snail (Helicid) (Theba pisana)
Yellow Shelled Slug (Parmarion martensi)
Nematodes
British Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne artiellia)
Columbian Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne citri)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne donghaiensis)
False Columbia Root-knot Nema. (Meloidogyne fallax)
Citrus Root-knot Menatode (Meloidogyne fujianensis)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne indica)
Javanese Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne jianyangensis)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne kongi)
Apple Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne mali)
Citrus Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne mingnanica)
Pecan Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne partityla)
Coconut Palm Red Ring Nematode (Rhadinaphelenchus (Bursaphelenchus) cocophilus)
Stubby Root Nematode (Paratrichodorus sp./spp.)
Insects
Soybean Pod Borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella)
Pea Leafminer(south A.biotype) (Liriomyza huidobrensis)
Vine Mealybug (Planococcus ficus)
Lilac Mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus)
Oak Ambrosia Beetle (Platypus quercivorus)
Soft Scale (Protopulvinaria longivalvata)
Cottony Citrus Scale (Pulvinaria polygonata)
Cherry Fruit Fly (E.) (Cff) (Rhagoletis cingulata)
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens)
Apple Clearwing Moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis)
Mango Aphid (Toxoptera odinae)
Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia (ochetomyrmex))
Mites
Laelapid Mite (Tropilaelaps clareae)
Rice Panicle Mite (Steneotarsonemus spinki)
Red Palm Mite (Raoiella indica)
Diseases
Flag Smut (Urocystis agropyri)
Soybean Dwarf (Soybean Dwarf Virus (SBDV)
Soybean Mosaic (Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV)
Soybean Bacterial Blight (Pseudomonas syringae)
Potato Mop-top (Potato Mop-top Virus (PMTV)
New World Soybean Rust (Phakopsora meibomiae)
Weeds
Wand Loosestrife (Lythrum virgatum)
Horse Thistle; Stemless Thistle (Onopordum acaulon)
We are constantly looking for images to illustrate species of regulatory concern. There are a few Federal Noxious Weeds that we have had a hard time finding images for. There are also a number of species that we would like more images of. If you have any images of the species listed below that you would like to share, please contact Joe LaForest.
ye gu (Aeginetia indica)
yerba de hierro (Alectra fluminensis)
onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus)
animated oat (Avena sterilis)
golden false beardgrass (Chrysopogon aciculatus)
bigfruit dodder (Cuscuta megalocarpa)
globe dodder (Cuscuta potosina globifera)
globe dodder (Cuscuta potosina)
African couchgrass (Digitaria abyssinica)
velvet fingergrass (Digitaria velutina)
three-cornered jack (Emex australis)
devil's thorn (Emex spinosa)
Brazilian satintail (Imperata brasiliensis)
murainagrass (Ischaemum rugosum)
Asian marshweed (Limnophila sessiliflora)
serrated tussock grass (Nassella trichotoma)
broomrape (Orobanche ramosa)
kodomillet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)
kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum)
African feathergrass (Pennisetum macrourum)
Kyasuma grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum unispiculum)
mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion setosum)
alapataco (Prosopis alpataco)
algarobilla (Prosopis argentina)
mesquite (Prosopis burkartii)
calden (Prosopis caldenia)
cusqui (Prosopis calingastana)
algarrobillo (Prosopis campestris)
mesquite (Prosopis castellanosii)
algarrobo patagonica (Prosopis denudans)
algarrobillo (Prosopis elata)
churqui (Prosopis ferox)
mesquite (Prosopis fiebrigii)
algarrobo paraguayo (Prosopis hassleri)
algarrobilla (Prosopis humilis)
barbe de tigre (Prosopis kuntzei)
palo de hierro (Prosopis palmeri)
tornillo (Prosopis reptans cinerascens)
mesquite (Prosopis rojasiana)
vinal (Prosopis ruscifolia)
albardon (Prosopis sericantha)
Argentine screwbean (Prosopis strombulifera)
lata (Prosopis torquata)
velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
shrubby blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
wild blackberry (Rubus moluccanus)
wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum)
lobed salvinia (Salvinia biloba)
Herzog salvinia (Salvinia herzogii)
South African ragwort (Senecio inaequidens)
Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis)
simplestem bur-reed (Sparganium erectum stoloniferum)
exotic bur-reed (Sparganium erectum)
denseflower witchweed (Striga densiflora)
cowpea witchweed (Striga gesnerioides)
purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica)
coatbuttons (Tridax procumbens)
Registration is now open for the Natural Areas Conference 2008. For more information click here.
A study of 24 fuel treatment sites in California shows that more nonnative species grow in fuel treatment areas than in adjacent areas. The study also showed differences in the percentage of nonnative species in fuel breaks depending on how they were constructed. The report can be accessed here.
AG Weekly.
Climate change is increasing the risk of U.S. crop failures, depleting the nation’s water resources and contributing to outbreaks of invasive species and insects, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a report released Tuesday. See article here.
A new pesticide has been registered for control of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipenis). It shows some promise for controling the borer in areas where EAB is already present but the trees are apparently healthy. More testing will be done to reinforce these findings. You can find details about this innovation in the press release.
The National Plant Diagnostic Network Training and Education Committee will be creating presentation materials that may be used to educate First Detectors such as master gardeners, garden clubs and homeowners about certain pests. Many of these species are exotic or newly introduced.
To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following weed species.
If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and forward copies to the individuals working on particular species presentations.
The National Plant Diagnostic Network Training and Education Committee will be creating presentation materials that may be used to educate First Detectors such as master gardeners, garden clubs and homeowners about certain pests. Many of these species are exotic or newly introduced.
To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following insect species.
If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and forward copies to the individuals working on particular species presentations.
The National Plant Diagnostic Network Training and Education Committee will be creating presentation materials that may be used to educate First Detectors such as master gardeners, garden clubs and homeowners about certain pests. Many of these species are exotic or newly introduced.
To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following plant pathogens.
If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and forward copies to the individuals working on particular species presentations.
The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is in search of images of invasive reptiles to be placed on their website for educational purposes.
To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following invasive reptiles.
If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and The EvergladesCISMA website.
In the wake of introduced speices wreaking havoc in varoiu areas of the country, some states have begun to regulate the movement of firewood. New York has just issued an emergency regulation to limit the movement of firewood to 50 miles from where it is harvested. They have a very nice Frequently Asked Questions seciton explaining the rules and the reasoning behind it.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Industry Division is implementing a
policy change that will prohibit the propagation, nursery cultivation, sale and distribution of cogongrass, (lmperata
cylindrica) (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, along with all cultivars including 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass. This
action is needed to prevent further introduction and secondary spread of cogongrass into and within NOJih Carolina.
Cogongrass has been detected and is a major concern in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It was recently detected and confirmed in Tennessee. Additionally, this
policy change for North Carolina is needed to ensure this state's regulatory actions are harmonized with those of
surrounding states.
The following actions will be taken to implement this new policy.
I. Effective immediately, the NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will deny permits for the interstate
movement of Cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred to as
'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass.
2. NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will enforce regulatory restrictions on all nursery propagation, nursery
cultivation and sale/distribution of cogongrass, including cultivars referred to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese
blood grass after October 31,2008.
3. Existing inventories of cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred
to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass, must be sold or removed from nurseries or nursery dealers by
October 31, 2008. Any remaining plant material will be subject to stop-sale and will be destroyed or must
be shipped in compliance with USDA, APHIS, PPQ regulations. The application and instructions for a
PPQ Form 526-Applicationfor Permit to Move Live Pests or Noxious Weeds may be found at the USDA,
APHIS, PPQ web site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ppg epermits.shtml and must be completed by
the nursery/nursery dealer operation in the receiving state.
4. Failure to comply may result in revocation or suspension of the NCDA&CS' Nursery Certificate or
Nursery Dealer Certificate.
Should you have questions or need additional information regarding this policy change, please feel free to contact
your local NCDA&CS Plant Pest Specialist or Rick Iverson, Weed Specialist, NCDA&CS.
Effective immediately, Plant Protection and Quarantine is issuing a Federal Import Quarantine Order (see below) restricting the importation of Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (maidenhair creeper). The restrictions apply to any parts capable of propagation, including spores and leaves (fronds) of these climbing fern species.
FEDERAL IMPORT QUARANTINE ORDER:
Lygodium microphyllum and Lygodium flexuosum
May 30, 2008
The purpose and goal of this Federal Order is to prevent the entry from all foreign countries into the United States of two harmful noxious weeds, Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (maidenhair creeper). This Federal Order is issued pursuant to Section 412(a) of the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 7712(a), which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation or entry of any plant, plant part, noxious weed or article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the entry of a plant pest or noxious weed into the United States.
This action is necessary because the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has determined that these climbing fern species are harmful noxious weeds that pose a serious environmental and economic threat to the United States. Recently, APHIS learned of commercial interest in importing Lygodium microphyllum as cut flower greenery. Fertile Lygodium leaves contain reproductive structures filled with spores that may be windblown, spreading the plant into uninfested areas. Additionally, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has requested that APHIS regulate Lygodium microphyllum to support Florida control efforts and Lygodium flexuosum, to prevent its introduction.
Within the United States, Old World climbing fern is only known to occur in the State of Florida where it is currently regulated and controlled.
Maidenhair creeper is not known to occur in the United States. These climbing ferns spread prolifically, climbing and scrambling over vegetation, creating a fire hazard, smothering native plant communities and causing other harmful environmental and economic impacts.
In order to prevent the entry of Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw., the APHIS Administrator has determined that it is necessary to no longer allow the importation of plant material capable of propagation, including nursery stock, spores, and leaves (fronds) of these climbing fern species, unless authorized by a PPQ permit for specified research in containment. Due to the seriousness of the potential for the spread of these very harmful noxious weeds, this Federal Order is effective immediately upon issuance.
Prohibited Plant Species:
Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (maidenhair creeper).
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.
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.
Interesting article on Bradford pears from the Washington Post can be found here.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Interesting article from WSSA here.
April 11, 2008
ANS Regulations in Effect April 1 (Mar 17, 2008)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
The new ANS represent a transition from what previously were mostly voluntary guidelines to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals. Now, it's illegal to transport aquatic vegetation anywhere in the state. Anyone who uses North Dakota waters must remove vegetation from boats, motors, trailers, fishing equipment, personal watercraft, work equipment, skiis, tubes, fishing rods, lures, bait containers, etc. Along the same line, anyone coming to North Dakota from another state must not have any aquatic vegetation on their fishing, boating or work equipment.
The state will have the authority to determine what is invasive, set up mandatory check/decontamination stations, establishes a fund and allows for the use of deficiency warrants in the event of the need for an EDRR operation. Also mirrors the Weed Law in civil penalties, etc. Passed the House and Senate (Mar 2008)
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University is conducting a cogongrass survey on May 15-18, 2008. Hundreds of volunteers are needed. For more information please visit http://www.clemson.edu/for/cogon_survey.htm .
We have the honour to invite you to take part to the 9th workshop of IUFRO WG 7.03.10 on Methodology of Forest Insect and Disease Survey in Central Europe.
Location and date
Štrbské Pleso (High Tatras region), Slovakia Hotel Patria: http://www.hotelpatria.sk/
September 15 to 19, 2008
Main Topics of the Workshop
1. Methods on surveillance and control of insect and fungal pest agents on windthrow wood and adjacent calamity areas.
2. Natural dynamics of insects and fungi in storm areas.
3. Protection measures undertaken in nature conservation areas.
4. Information on the occurrence of pests and diseases.
Click the download icon below to receive the full meeting and lodging announcement and registration information.
Workshop for forest owners and people interested in the forests of Alabama. Information can be found at: http://www.troymessenger.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/news05.txt . Article also gives some good information on cogongrass.
The popular Conservation Reserve Program provides incentives for qualifying landowners to establish longleaf pine on previously cropped ground in a south-wide effort to restore the longleaf pine ecosystem over its native range that once encompassed 92 million acres. Today, less than 3 percent remains and the CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative seeks to establish longleaf pine on 250,000 acres across none southern states. In addition to planting longleaf pine, the Conservation Practice CP36 promotes the establishment of native warm season grasses (NWSG).
Several key provisions of the CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative involve control of non-native grasses (bermudagrass, bahiagrass, tall fescue ect.) before planting and establishment of NWSG following pine planting.
For more information visit the Georgia Forest Productivity Website
New regulations from the Georgia Department of Agriculture now prohibit the sale or distribution of any plant listed on the Federal Noxious Weed list or determined by the commissioner to be a public nuisance. The federal noxious weed regulations have been in place since 1995; However the new regulations include all varieties and cultivars of these species. Most noteworthy of these species is red baron, a cultivar of Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass). This plant is a major problem in the southern United States and there is an effort in Georgia to try and stifle an invasion before it reaches levels similar to that seen in Florida and Alabama. The efforts of the Georgia Department of Agriculture are a step in the right direction. Work to spread the word about these new regulations is needed. A consulting forester last week intercepted his neighbor who was going to plant Red Baron that she had ordered and received from Burgess Seed & Plant Co. in Bloomington, IL. Help spread the word!
You can view the federal noxious weed list at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/weedlist2006.pdf
Save The Date!
The 2008 Natural Areas Conference will be held at The Doubletree Hotel in Nashville on October 14-17, 2008. More details can be accessed at http://www.naturalarea.org/ . If you have any questions please contact Reggie Reeves in the Division of Natural Areas a 615-532-0431.
Register now! "People-Powered Projects: The National Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Conference" will be held April 15-17, 2008, in Reno, NV. Online registration is now available at http://www.weedcenter.org/CWMAconf/cwma_conf.htm. With representatives from all 50 states, the conference will focus on CWMA funding and logistics, working with volunteers, EDRR, awareness and outreach, state and national initiatives, and will conclude with an all-day field trip to sites in the Reno area. Cooperative Weed Management Areas mobilize communities to prevent and manage invasive plants and to support healthy ecosystems. Join CWMAworkers, land managers, and concerned citizens in a national conference to learn from each other, improve approaches to CWMA organization and management, and increase support for CWMAs across the United States. The event is organized by the Center for Invasive Plant Management and co-hosted by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, Cal-IPC, Alaska CNIPM, Mid-Atlantic EPPC, Southeast EPPC, and the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture. For more information, visit http://www.weedcenter.org/CWMAconf/cwma_conf.htm.
Many of you are aware of the new laurel wilt disease that has been moving through the southeast. Recently, the disease has claimed a 125-year-old red bay in Brunswick, Georgia. This tree was the oldest red bay in the United States.
To see the full article, see www.thebrunswicknews.com/open_access/news/347800582466931.php
OSU Extension Offering Invasive Plant Workshop
A workshop will be held Thursday, March 27 from 9-4pm, at the OSU
Extension office in Pomeroy, OH for landowners who would like to learn
to identify and control invasive plants. More information is available
on www.oipc.info and the registration deadline is March 14.
I applaud the efforts of Iowa City and Johnson County. What an inventive (and fun) way to try and control a nasty invasive! See below...
Last May, the City of Iowa City and Johnson County thought of a new way to fight the Plant from Hell (AKA Garlic Mustard): A garlic mustard challenge was organized and groups of volunteers, young and old, attacked predetermined sites with a vengeance. Almost a ton of GM was pulled.
The event is being organized again this year, with a new twist: other cities or locations are being challenged to BEAT THE JOHNSON COUNTY RECORD! It's a competition, a challenge, to see who can pull the most.
People throughout the state are invited to organize crews and join in. This is a win-win event: you decrease GM and at the same time educate others about the nasty plant and how it should be fought.
Please see the attached Press Release, and the Sample Challenge Letter inserted below. Do consider joining in and thanks, Connie Mutel
Dear _____,
In the spring of 2007, Iowa City and Johnson County area residents rallied together to establish a record for the Most Garlic Mustard Plants Ever Pulled. The event was sponsored by Iowa City's Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works Departments, with support from many Johnson County environmental organizations such as Friends of Hickory Hill Park, Johnson County Heritage Trust, Johnson County Conservation Board, Project Green, Environmental Advocates, and the Backyard Abundance Campaign. The goal was not only to control the spread of these noxious weeds but also to expand public awareness about the problem. As you know, garlic mustard is a non-native plant species that has no local natural controls, partially because none of Iowa's native insects or wildlife rely on it as a food source. The plant has spread at an alarming rate the past two decades, and is now degrading local woodlands by crowding out native plants such as wildflowers, ferns, and tree seedlings, which in turn reduces the food supply for woodland animals. To control the spread, the weeds must be pulled or cut between March and June, before they go to seed and repopulate.
Last May, Johnson Country residents pulled a total of 1,900 pounds (almost a ton) of invasive garlic mustard plants from the Johnson County area. We concentrated on public areas such as City and County parks, but also encouraged private property owners to permit pulling on their property. We hope to build on that success this year!
The City of Iowa City would like to extend a challenge to _______ in hopes of stimulating growth of the program and continuing regional efforts to eradicate this noxious weed. The second annual Johnson County/Iowa City Great Garlic Mustard Challenge is scheduled for April 19th and 26th. We hope to beat last year's record and encourage other communities to participate! We will be weighing the garlic mustard pulled at our April events and will also include any garlic mustard plants pulled throughout the month of April. We also encourage our challengers to make the weed pulling a month-long event.
If you think your community might be interested in such a challenge, we would be happy to share any of our promotional materials, brochures, experiences,
etc. to assist you in the process. We learned a lot last year and intend to make this year's project even better!
Thank you for considering participation in this exciting event. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Marcia Klingaman with Neighborhood Services at 319/356-5237 or e-mail marcia-klingaman@ iowa-city. org.
Sincerely,
The Great Garlic Mustard Challenge Planning Committee
I recently traveled to Colorado State to train Howard Schwartz, Mark McMillan, and Janet Hardin on how images are entered into the Bugwood Image Database System. They will be heading us the CSU node of the system, meaning they have all of the tool to upload images and enter information that we have at our main office in Tifton, GA.
Colorado State was kind enough to let me present on the transition of CSU AgImages into BugwoodIDS. They also recorded the presentation and have posted it on the web. This presentation gives a good idea of how our system works and what will be happening with this cooperative effort between UGA and CSU. To view the presentation, go to: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p70353759/
Two corrections on the presentation: 1) my e-mail address is laforest@uga.edu and 2) the address for the Bugwood Blog is www.bugwood.org/blog.
Daniel Gilrein recently alerted the OrnEnt Listserv to a new addition for the The Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat Company. They have an EAB link on its home page that directs visitors to "Questions and Answers about the Emerald Ash Borer". The link to the website and article may be found at http://www.slugger.com/press/EAB.html.
We just received a large set of images from Ohio State University. These images cover a wide variety of weed species found in the mid-west. There are over 3000 pictures in this collection, while not all of these images are currently available, they will be in the weeks to come. These images are available at The Ohio State Weed Lab archive.