Herbicide Ballistic Technology

The latest invasive plant control technology called herbicide ballistic technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwM8qn0GLHQ&NR=1

Asian Longhorned Beetle website

Check it out:

http://www.beetlebusters.info/

Corktree Early Detection and Rapid Response

Southern Illinois Weed Watch is working.
By: Sarah Calloway
Nancy Garwood, research professor at Southern Illinois University, identified several Amur corktree plants, Phellodendron amurense, on her property. Several were already mature and bearing fruit in the fall of 2008.
At a Southern Illinois Weed Watch training session in March of 2009, Nancy mentioned finding these trees to Chris Evans, River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area Coordinator. This species, while being listed as an invasive in other parts of the United States, had not previously been reported as present in southern Illinois. In early November 2009, Nancy updated Chris on new specimens she had found.
On November 5th, 2009, a site visit was made to check the cork trees. The following week, Nancy reported that she located more of these non-native trees on neighboring land, as well as several large specimens and many seedlings on the Shawnee National Forest. Chris and Nancy contacted the Forest to schedule a site visit to look at the trees.
In mid November, a site visit was made by Chris, Nancy and several Forest employees. Nancy had previously flagged and GPS'ed the cork trees on her property and those within the Forest. They decided to remove the cork trees by cutting them with a chainsaw or ax, and/or pulling the saplings and seedlings. The trees were removed at the beginning of December, 2009, by Shawnee National Forest employees. The stumps of the cork trees will be monitored for re-sprouts and the area will be monitored to remove seedlings or saplings.
Amur corktree is a deciduous tree named for its thick, corky bark that has a distinctive bright yellow layer of inner bark. It does especially well in forests and wooded areas that have been exposed to human disturbance, where it forms dense stands and crowds out native species, including oaks and hickories. The Amur corktree has been reported as invasive in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts (www.nps.gov/plants).
The collaborative effort between the Shawnee National Forest and the River-to-River Cooperative Weed Management Area, developed over the past couple of years, has been highly beneficial not only to the Forest but to all of southern Illinois in protecting ecosystems across boundaries.
See article: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ssrs/story?id=4931

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Full Agenda posted: http://www.nisaw.org/

Cogongrass confiscated at Savannah port

See article here: http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2009-11-24/cogon-grass-confiscated-port

Invasion of the Exotic Wildlife! Video

Below, you'll see a video about the dangers of invasive species. The production of the video was paid for by the following organizations: Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Great Lakes United.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj_PSF4RmHs&feature=player_embedded

NECIS Joint Statement on H.R. 2811

Below, you'll find a joint statement from various NECIS organizations regarding H.R. 2811, which seeks to list as injurious under the Lacey Act the nine species studied by the U.S. Geological Survey in the report, "Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor."

Joint Statement on H.R. 2811

15,000 reasons to worry about invasive species

See article about Wisconsin here: http://www.bradenton.com/living/living_green/story/1837435.html

Invasive species cause $1.4 trillion of losses a year!

See article about the International Congress on Biological Invasions, here: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/06/content_12400507.htm

Smithsonian magazine article about Asian Longhorned Beetle

For more information:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Invasion-of-the-Longhorns.html

New Pest - Megacopta cribraria (Bean plataspid) found on kudzu in Georgia

USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory confirms Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius), a Plataspidae bug with the common name, Bean plataspid, was found on kudzu plants and in large numbers on structures in Winder, Barrow County, Georgia. The specimens were submitted by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science.
This is a new US record.

Tthe species is known from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and southward into southeast Asia and India. It feeds primarily on legumes such as garden beans (Phaseolus sp.) and soybeans.
For more information: http://www.caes.uga.edu/Applications/attachments/files/PestAlertForCounties.pdf and http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/storypage.cfm?storyid=3868

New Book - Homeopathy for the Garden and Landscape - German Version

We frequently receive requests to use images in books and occasionally, the book is published in a language other than English. One such book has recently been published in German! Homoeopathie fuer Garten und Landwirtschaft or Homeopathy for the Garden and Landscape is now available through Narayana Verlag. I will have to brush up on my German to give it a proper review but I can certainly can appreciate the concept of the book.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is January 10-14, 2010 in Washington, DC, for more information: http://www.nisaw.org/

Six Million for Cogongrass in Alabama

AFC Announces Key Strategies to Fight Cogongrass Using Federal Stimulus Grant
As announced earlier in the spring, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) was awarded a $6.3 million grant to embark on a cogongrass control program in Alabama. Although this funding provided through a 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Grant will enable the AFC and its partners to initiate a proactive, coordinated campaign to combat cogongrass, it will not begin to cover the expected costs to eradicate the noxious weed from Alabama. Considering the extensive number of acres already infested, it is estimated that costs would exceed $50,000,000 to minimize the threat of cogongrass throughout the state. In regard to the grant, State Forester Linda Casey said, “Ultimately, we wish to completely eradicate this nuisance, as well as all other non-native invasive species. However, with the welcomed but limited funding provided, it will be impossible to make a significant impact for all landowners where cogongrass is widespread and in the counties where this invasive plant has been allowed to grow virtually unchecked since 1912. All interested citizens need to be aware of this reality. We believe it is possible to convince our state and federal elected officials, as well as the US Forest Service, that given the appropriate funding, we can win the war against cogongrass. This current funding does indeed provide a start, but that is it all it can be.” The following broad strategies have been outlined by the Commission for the campaign against cogongrass: (1) Define a geographic region of the state where cogongrass can and will be eradicated once it has been detected and precisely mapped; (2) Allocate resources such that strategic buffer zones can be established to keep the weed from moving back into areas that are free of cogongrass; (3) Begin a statistically valid detection and mapping program in the most heavily infested areas, so that informed decisions can be made as to how to eradicate the plant across the state; (4) Finally, do everything possible to secure additional funding during this three-year program, such that a full-scale detection and eradication program can be initiated. To begin the first proactive large-scale control of cogongrass in Alabama, Casey announced that the AFC has contracted with the forest management firm of Larson & McGowin, Inc. to provide the critical role of Project Coordinator. Said Casey, “Larson & McGowin’s reputation as a leader in forest management and consulting throughout the South, as well as the fact that the company is Alabama-based, made it a solid choice.” Larson & McGowin, Inc. is a full-service forest management and consulting firm headquartered in Mobile. The company was founded in 1957 and has branch offices in Greenville and Birmingham, Alabama, as well Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. The firm has decades of experience providing property management services to small and large ownerships. Consulting and large scale project management experience includes forest inventory, appraisal, technical mapping, and analysis. Though focused on the southern United States, the firm has experience in other regions including U.S. Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Canada, Central America, and South America. Its subsidiary, Silvics Solutions, offers natural resource focused software and information technology services. Barrett McCall, RF/ACF and President of Larson & McGowin: “Alabama is a world leader in forest management as a result of decades of cooperative efforts between landowners, the Alabama Forestry Commission, and forestry professionals across the state. Tackling the complex management problems posed by invasive species such as cogongrass is important for us to continue this history of excellence. This grant gives us a much needed boost in these troubled economic times to get started. I am confident our forestry community is up to the challenge and our team at Larson & McGowin very much appreciates the opportunity to be of service in the war on cogongrass.” A website (http://www.alabamacogongrass.com/) has been established to facilitate communication with Larson & McGowin. The website will be updated regularly as the program develops. For further information, contact Ernest Lovett, Project Coordinator, at (334) 240-9348 (elovett@alabamacogongrass.com) or Stephen Pecot, Communications Director, at specot@alabamacogongrass.com. Vendors and applicators should submit their contact information to info@alabamacogongrass.com or fax to (334) 240-9388, Attn: Cogongrass Program.

GA Forestry Commission's American Recovery & Reinvestment Act grants

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) legislation was signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Recovery.gov provides information on how the Act is working, tools to help you hold the government accountable, and up-to-date data on the expenditure of funds.

Funds for State and private forestry activities are being distributed by the U.S. Forest Service to state forestry organizations across the nation .

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has procured $9.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants that are designed to help stimulate Georgia's economy and benefit landowners and the environment.

More Information is available here: http://www.gatrees.org/Recovery/Index.cfm

Invasion of the Lionfish in Florida and the Caribbean

See article here: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/sep/24/shoreline-invasion-lionfish/

Biofuels: Cultivating Energy, not Invasive Species

Briefing paper approved by the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) on Aug 11, 2009.

http://www.invasivespecies.gov/home_documents/BiofuelWhitePaper.pdf

40 new species found in New Guinea

Over 40 species new to science found in remote volcanic crater in Papua New Guinea in under 5 weeks of searching! It includes a fanged frog and arboreal kangaroos.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/07/discovery-species-papua-new-guinea

Scientists Find Evidence of Casuarina Hybrids

Hybrids of the invasive Australian plant species Casuarina exist in Florida, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and university cooperators have found.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090911.htm

Launching of the Widely Prevalent Virus site

The Widely Prevalent Virus site is now up and running. This sites joins the Widely Prevalent Fungi site in helping better illustrate the distribution of plant pathogens in the United States. We are also working to provide images of these "Widely Prevalent" organisms. If you have images of any of these critters, we'd be glad to post them under your name. You can take a look at the " Contribute Pictures" link on the home page of any of the sites to see what organisms we have no images and could really use some help from some great photographers.

Aquatic Invasives by Graves Lovell

We have a great new set of images from Graves Lovell. He has posted more than 500 images of aquatic invasive species in Alabama. Many of these images are also available on Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, but there are some additional images of these troublesome species. Take a look at all of his images on his photographer's profile page on Invasive.org.

How prepared is the U.S. to meet future botanical challenges?

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Botanic Gardens Conservation International 's U.S. office are working with partners across the country to assess current and future botanical capacity in the United States. The aim of this grant-funded project is to understand the resources we currently have to conserve and manage native plant species and habitat, identify gaps in capacity and highlight opportunities to fill them in the future. A summary report will be released in mid-2010 and freely available from this website.

If you are involved in plant science research, education or natural resource management in the United States, here is the Survey.

Python caught on first day of Everglades hunt

Check out the NBC Today Show story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32216600#32216600

World's first DNA barcode for plants

Scientists at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh have helped create the world's first DNA barcode for plants, making it quicker and easier to identify poisonous, endangered or illegal species.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2522375.0.First_DNA_barcode_for_plants_made_in_Scotland.php

Arizona Invasive Plant booklet published!

The Conservation Districts and RC&D Areas of Arizona, and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension have just published a booklet on Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arizona. They have this available for both electronic download and in printed form.

To order a hard copy of this guide or others from the series, contact any NRCS office or Conservation District in Arizona or Coronado RC&D at 520/384-2229 ext. 122. The electronic copy can be found at the link above or by going to the the University of Arizona CALS Publication page

Fungus Tapped to Take on Kudzu

Check it out at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090716.htm

Expanded Programs to Eliminate Pythons from Everglades

Secretary Salazar Announces Renewed Commitment, Expanded Programs to Eliminate Pythons from Everglades

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced today that the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the State of Florida and other stakeholders, are renewing their commitment and expanding existing programs to eliminate Burmese pythons from the Everglades.

"Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have no place in the Everglades and threaten its delicate ecosystem," Salazar said. "We are committed to aggressively combating this threat, including having trained and well-supervised volunteers hunt down and remove snakes."

"I have also directed my staff to look at the possibility of allocating additional federal resources this fiscal year and I have asked federal and state agencies to work with us to quickly develop an action plan to control this invasive species," he said.

The Burmese python (Python molurus), a large exotic snake, is well-established in the Everglades. Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Water Conservation Areas, represent the core areas of the python infestation.

As effective predators, pythons are having negative impacts on native species in the Everglades ecosystem. Because of the serious threat posed by pythons, the National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and many other partners are actively engaged in a large variety of potential python control efforts.

Pythons are cryptic animals - they blend into their environments extremely well - making them difficult to efficiently locate and capture. Most python sightings and captures occur in developed areas, such as roads and canal levees, which comprise only a small percentage of potential python habitats.

Pythons have been observed within the largely inaccessible and remote mangrove forests of the parks. Conservatively, scientists believe that only small fractions (0.1-5%) of pythons present on NPS lands are detected. Given these challenges, the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service have recognized the need to consider and implement a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to python control. These efforts include:

Expansion of an authorized agent python capture program - For several years, NPS has partnered with up to a dozen experienced and highly motivated volunteer authorized agents that have removed hundreds of pythons. Data from these captures has been invaluable to park biologists in developing other control tools and assessing impact this invasive snake is having on native resources. The NPS is working on expanding the authorized agent program to provide more thorough and regular efforts to remove pythons. The Park Service is also working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to evaluate the State's pilot bounty permit system and consider its appropriateness for NPS lands.

Pilot "Partner with Hunters" Program in Big Cypress National Preserve - The NPS and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working together to partner with licensed hunters that hunt game species within the Preserve under Florida state law. The "Partner with Hunters" program will allow trained, qualified, and licensed hunters the opportunity to terminate pythons, a non-game species, with the use of their firearm if they come across one during the course of their normal hunting activity. The snakes will be collected by the NPS and data gathered will be used for research/ monitoring and control efforts. Existing hunting activities and supporting infrastructure, including law enforcement, hunting check stations, and use of off-road vehicles, makes the Preserve an appropriate location for piloting this program in partnership with the hunting community.

Everglades invasive animal response team - NPS is actively working with FWS and USGS to establish a Federally-funded invasive animal rapid response and control team that would provide full-time coordination among the south Florida natural resource management agencies, including field operations, science support, and educational and outreach efforts.

Cooperative workshops - FWS has organized and facilitated multi-agency workshops to address the threats posed by pythons and help prioritize and coordinate management efforts. NPS and FWS provide leadership to the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, a multi-agency team, to better coordinate and pool resources.

Risk Assessment and review of control methods - FWS and NPS are funding a USGS risk assessment project to help define the nature of the threat and develop biological/management profiles for nine large constrictor snakes. The risk assessment will contain information that has broad application to the management of pythons and other large exotic constrictors in the U.S.

Study of python movements and habitat use - NPS is working with USGS, University of Florida, and Davidson College to understand python movement and habitat use in the Everglades. These efforts, including radio tracking snakes to allow scientists to follow them, often finding other snakes, and providing critical information to formulate effective control programs.

Python trap and attractant development - NPS and FWS are funding development of an effective python trap and lure along with USGS, University of Florida, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, NPS is cooperating with an NGO to conduct preliminary research on python pheromones which may someday be used as an attractant for trapping. Prototype traps are deployed in North Key Largo in hopes of halting the spread of pythons to the Florida Keys and traps will soon be deployed in known python concentrations around Everglades National Park.

Unmanned aerial vehicles and thermal imaging - NPS is working with USGS and the University of Florida to test small, remotely operated airplanes and heat-detecting sensors for use in detecting pythons in the Everglades. These technologies may be useful to detect and aid in the capture of pythons in their natural habitats.

Diet Studies - NPS, in conjunction with the University of Florida and the Smithsonian Institution, is analyzing gut contents of captured pythons and identifying prey items to better understand the python's impacts on native species.

Mercury bioaccumulation studies - NPS has partnered with USGS to understand mercury concentrations in python tissue because high mercury concentrations may pose a risk to human health if pythons are consumed. This information is critical to inform the current development of python collecting and hunting programs.

Reporting mechanisms - NPS established a python hotline for public reporting of python observations.

Education and outreach - NPS and FWS have worked cooperatively with our partners at the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District to develop signs that remind the public that release of snakes and other exotics is a crime. We have implemented the "Don't Let It Loose" public and school education campaign and endorsed Habitatitude to promote responsible pet ownership. NPS recently printed and distributed over 450,000 copies of "Florida Invaders" to educate the public about the threat of invasive nonnative plants and animals. The FWS and NPS participated in the recent State-sponsored Non-native Pet Amnesty Day event held at the Miami Zoo educating the public about pythons and other non-native invasive wildlife.

"The removal of invasive pythons from the Everglades in a key step in our larger ecosystem restoration efforts," said Dan Kimball, superintendent, Everglades National Park. "Our success will fully depend on how well we can cooperate, partner, learn from each other, and maintain a high level of commitment to addressing this problem in the long term."

"Eliminating these exotic pythons in Florida will require a full partnership between federal and state agencies and with the assistance from trained members of the public," said Pedro Ramos, superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve. "These joint efforts will provide vital information on the animals' movement, habitat use, food sources and other information which will aid in future improvements of eradication methods."

"Addressing the python threat requires a broad partnership with many strategies," said Paul Souza, South Florida Ecological Services field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "There is no one silver bullet. We are committed to continuing our work with our partners in the State of Florida to make headway on this
significant challenge."

Together, the NPS, FWS, and their partners will continue their efforts to implement a variety of python management efforts to control and hopefully eradicate the Burmese python in south Florida.

http://www.doi.gov/news/09_News_Releases/071709.html

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid News Coverage

WSB-TV in Atlanta recently did two news stories on HWA:

Tiny Insect Destroying Georgia Trees and Could Beetles Save Georgia's Hemlock Trees?

Support for the enemy-release hypothesis of invasive species

A very interesting article has come out on black cherry and why it is more aggressive in Europe than the US. Apparently it is because the US has a more virulent strain of soil fungus that keeps them in check. This seems to support the enemy-release hypothesis of invasive species. You can see a press release about the article at the USDA ARS website. A more indepth version can be found here.

Georgia under federal quarantine for citrus greening

Georgia has been put under a federal quarantine to help prevent the spread of a devastating citrus disease. The quarantine follows the discovery in Georgia of "citrus greening" (CG), a disease that causes citrus fruit to be bitter and unusable. The disease is also known as Huanglongbing or HLB and is caused by the bacterial pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The disease was found on a lemon tree in Savannah. More details can be found at the Georgia Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarrentine.

Thousand Cankers disease hits walnuts in Boulder, Colorado

Many of you have been watching for news about Thousand Cankers disease caused by an undescribe Geosmithia species and vectored by walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis). The latest developments in Boulder, Colorado have pushed it back into the news. Approximately three hundered trees have been identified as infected and are scheduled for removal. Additional surveys are scheduled to begin to better delimit the infestation. The full story was published in the Colorado Daily.

Florida Cogongrass Cost-Share Program

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today that the department’s Division of Forestry will offer a pilot Cogongrass Treatment Cost Share Program to eligible non-industrial private landowners in several north Florida counties beginning next week.
The initial focus of the program is to impede the spread of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), one of the world’s worst weeds, from Florida into Georgia. Therefore the nine counties sharing borders with Georgia - Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, and Nassau - will be the first priority. If funding allows, the program may be expanded to include Wakulla, Suwannee, Union, Washington, Calhoun, Liberty, Clay, Duval, Bradford, Holmes and Taylor counties.
More Info at: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2009/06102009.html

The Bugwood Blog is moving!

We have switched our blog over to a new system to provide some more exciting features. You can find the new blog at www.bugwood.org/news. For those of you subscribing to the blog by RSS or Atom, please subscribe to the new RSS feed or the new Atom feed.

Soybean Rust and Kudzu: An invasive species tag team

For the first time, soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) has been documented as overwintering on kudzu (Pueraria montana) without any break in detection in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana. Scientists are still exploring what the full effect of this may be, but it is possible for infected kudzu in these areas to act as a primary source for the disease.

For more information, take a look at the full story in The Gleaner. For the latest information on the distribution and spread of soybean rust, see the Soybean Rust ipmPIPE.

Introduced to the western hemisphere...a new mealybug of orchid!

Pseudococcus dendrobiorum has had its first report not only in this counrty but in this hemishpere. Currently it is known to only affect orchids and it is unsure as to what economic impact this may have. You can find out more information in the University of Florida/IFAS pest alert.

"Beyond the Ponderosa" images added

We have recently added the images taken by Tom DeGomez in the book "Beyond the Ponderosa: Successful Landscape Trees for Higher Elevations in the Southwest". These images are a wonderful example of well staged images for tree identification. You can see these images on the Author Page for Tom DeGomez.

New review form for photographers

We are now beta testing a new review form to let photographers not only comment on the information we have entered for the images but actually directly edit the Descriptor, Image Type, Gender, View, Description and Location. It even gives photographers the ability to release images to the public if all of the information has been entered and checked by our staff.

If you have images in the system, feel free to check out the new form by going to http://images.bugwood.org and clicking on the "Try Our New Review Form" link. We appreciate any comments and suggestions for improving this feature.

100,000+ Images...Bugwood Images passes a new threshold!

We have just recently passed a new milestone...100,000+ images publicly available through the Bugwood Images system. We must thank all of the photographers who have allowed us to host their images and the wide range of institutions that have supported various portions of this program throughout the years. We have ambitious plans for the future and we look forward to continued collaboration and growth.

If you want to help push us to the next big milestone you can find our tools for photographers at http://images.bugwood.org. Once there, you can upload images, review images that have been accepted into Bugwood Images and edit your photographer profile. Soon we will have full statistics there to let you see how much use your images have received and who has requested to use your images in their publications.

New Fungi Images from American Samoa

We have recently received some very nice images from Fred Brooks at the University of Hawaii. These images clearly show the signs and symptoms caused by several of the fungi recently added to the Widely Prevalent Fungi List for American Samoa. You can see these images and a several others on the Author Page for Fred Brooks.

New Forest Entomology Images from Slovakia

We have recently released 1,687 new images from Milan Zubrik, the Head of Department of Forest Protection and Game Management at the Forest Research Institute - Slovakia. These images clearly show many of the characteristic features and damage caused by these pests as well as the lifestages. The release of these images provides illustration of 50 species that we have not had in our system before. You can take a look at this collection on the Author page for Milan Zubrik.

'Catastrophic' bat deaths in Massachusetts

The White Nose Syndrome is wreaking havoc in certain bat populations in the United States. This story from Massachusetts says that in some cases, mortality has been up to 95 or 100 percent! What is more of a concern is that the exact cause and progression of the syndrome is not understood. Researchers have found a cold-loving white fungus associated with the epidemic but it has not been identified conclusively as the cause. See more details in the full story from The Berkshire Eagle.

Chicago bans 14 plants to protect local flora

The City of Chicago Tuesday banned 14 plants as "invasive species" that

threaten native plant life.

The list includes:

• Akebia quinata - Chocolate Vine
• Ampelopsis brevipendiculata - Elegans Porcelain Berry Vine
• Anthriscus sylvestris - Wild Chervil
• Celastrus orbiculatus - Oriental Bittersweet
• Humulus japonicus - Japanese Hops
• Leymus arenarius - Lyme Grass
• Ligustrum spp. - Privet
• Miscanthus sacchariflorus - Amur Silver Grass
• Paulownia tomentosa - Princess Tree
• Phellodendron amurense - Amur Corktree
• Phellodendron japonica - Japanese Corktree
• Polygonum cuspidatum - Japanese Knotweed
• Quercus acutissima - Sawtooth Oak
• Ranunculus ficaria - Lesser Celandine

See the following link for the full article text: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=125281

Flax, Crambe, Safflower, Sunflower, Canola and other oilseeds

We've recently added some new commodity areas to our system and we are now looking for images to help illustrate these commodities before we update IPM Images. If you have images of oilseed crops, production, pests, diseases or other related subjects and would like to share them with others, please see our image submission form.

Llamas, Alpaca, Deer, Elk, Cattle, Swine, Goats, Sheep and Horses

In addition to the recent additions to the oilseed commodities in our system, we are including some new commodity areas to our system for livestock. We are now looking for images to help illustrate these commodities before we update IPM Images. If you have images of livestock animals, production, pests, diseases or other related subjects and would like to share them with others, please see our image submission form.

Cogongrass seed found at the Baltimore seaport

See article at: http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=23007&zoneid=3

Pythons, Pythons, and more Pythons

With Miami's Nonnative Amnesty Day this weekend (March 21, 2009), pythons are all over the news:

More information about Nonnative Amnesty Day:

http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Nonnative_AmnestyDayEvents.htm

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=134132&provider=rss

Recent features on Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21971200/snakes_alive.htm#q=python

http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21966918/slithering_swamps.htm#q=python

On Sun-Sentinel website

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbpythons0306sbmar06,0,7773882.story

On Planet Green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ElK6MThuc

On NBC News:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29030728

More Images and Information:

http://www.evergladescisma.org/species/subinfo.cfm?sub=20461

Looking for Images of Trees

We are looking for some good images of some alternative trees for some of the non-native invasive options that are out there. If you have some that you would like to share, please let us see them. You can forward them to us using the upload form at http://images.bugwood.org. Here are the tree species we are looking for:

• Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple)
• Acer japonicum (Full Moon Maple)
• Acer truncatum (Shantung Maple)
• Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringetree)
• Lagerstroemia indica x L. fauriei (Hybrid Crapemyrtle)
• Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood)
• Prunus x 'Okame' (Okame Cherry)
• Prunus salicina (Ruby Sweet Plum)
• Stewartia monadelpha (Tall Stewartia)
• Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia)
• Styrax japonicus (Japanese Snowbell)
• Acer leucoderme (Chalkbark Maple)
• Crataegus viridis (Winter King Hawthorn)
• Halesia diptera (Two-winged Silverbell)
• Halesia tetraptera (Mountain Silverbell)
• Magnolia macrophylla (Big Leaf Magnolia)

Wanted: shrub images

We are seeking images of shrubs that can be used (or suggested) to replace invasive species. You can forward them to us using the upload form at http://images.bugwood.org Please let us know if you have photos of any of the following species:

• Buxus microphylla (Japanese Boxwood cultivars)
• Callicarpa dichotoma (Purple Beautyberry)
• Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Creeping Plum Yew cultivars)
• Chamaecyparis pisifera (Japanese Falsecypress)
• Illicium henryi (Henry Anise Tree)
• Lagerstroemia indica (Crapemyrtle; dwarf and semi-dwarf forms)
• Loropetalum chinensis (Loropetalum white and red cultivars)
• Osmanthus x fortunei (Fortune's Osmanthus)
• Osmanthus heterophyllus (Holly Osmanthus)
• Prunus laurocerasus (English Laurel cultivars)
• Raphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorne cultivars)
• Ternstroemia gymnanthera (Cleyera)
• Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki (Awabuki Viburnum)
• Viburnum utile (Service Viburnum)
• Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball Viburnum)
• Viburnum setigerum (Tea Viburnum)
• Eubotrys racemosa (Sweetbells Leucothoe)
• Hypericum densiflorum (Bushy St. Johns-wort)
• Hypericum frondosum (Golden St. Johns-wort)
• Illicium parviflorum (Small Anise-tree)
• Pinckneya bracteata (Feverbark)

New Bugwood Newsletter and Brochure

The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood Network) has developed and new brochure and newsletter to feature our current projects and activities. The first issue of the newsletter is available here: http://www.bugwood.org/newsletterJan08.pdf and the brochure here: http://www.bugwood.org/brochure2009.pdf

New Diagnostic Book for Insects and Diseases of Woody Landscape Plants

There is yet another book coming out on woody ornamentals. Mary Kay Malinoski and David Clement at the University of Maryland have written a diagnostic field guide on broad leaved woody ornamentals coming out in March. It is based in part on the Maryland plant diagnostic web site and has color keys to symptoms and causes of problems. Here is a link to get more information.

It was primarily geared toward the northeast region, but may work for other regions. They worked really hard to make this thing practical and useful for just about everyone. Eventually, they plan to put out companion field guides on needled evergreens and herbaceous ornamentals. If you have any questions, feel free to contact David Clement.

Tennessee Invasive Weed Awareness Week

Tennessee Invasive Weed Awareness Week

Governor Phil Bredesen has issued a state proclamation declaring Feb. 22-28, 2009, as Invasive Weed Awareness Week (IWAW) in Tennessee in conjunction with the 10th Annual National IWAW in Washington, D.C. The Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC), an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, is working closely with various local, state and federal organizations and agencies to promote public education on the harmful impacts of nonnative, invasive plant species through several ‘pest plant removal events’ around the state. Events are planned in Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (Details on separate page.) We are pleased to acknowledge our list of supporting groups and organizations in this statewide education effort. (See separate list.) Several of these supporters have organized a plant pull in their area and have invited local citizens to participate.



Throughout both urban and rural areas, invasive, non-native plants pose numerous threats to the Tennessee landscape, especially public lands such as parks and state natural areas. Invasive plant species overrun a variety of habitats, displace native plant populations, disrupt plant/animal associations, deprive wildlife of needed food sources, significantly reduce plant and wildlife diversity, imperil rare and endangered plants and animals, support nonnative pathogens and pests, and can alter ecosystem processes such as fire frequency/intensity, water and nutrient availability, soil chemistry and erosion. In addition, invasive plant species have a significant negative impact on agriculture and forestry. Nationally, costs associated with control as well as crop and land losses reach into the tens of billions of dollars annually. Gardeners, farmers, boaters, hikers, wildlife watchers, landscapers, hunters, anglers, landowners, and many businesses, all have a stake in recognizing and doing what they can to combat the most troublesome plant species.



TN-EPPC’s volunteer role is to monitor invasive species in the state, provide advice and counsel to local, state, and federal government entities as well as private land managers and landowners. Our Web site, www.tneppc.org, features a list of plants exhibiting invasive behavior in Tennessee, along with information on the best control methods and alternative native plant species for landscaping. A board of directors meets quarterly to identify and develop invasion response protocols, important partnerships, and education and outreach opportunities.



National Invasive Weed Awareness Week, now in its tenth year, features events focused on educating our federal policy makers and elected officials about the environmental and economic losses caused by invasive weeds. State, regional, and national invasive plant organizations across the country participate. TN-EPPC sends a representative each year.



For more information on TN-EPPC, please contact:

Terri Hogan – Terri_Hogan@nps.gov (615) 893-9501

Claude Bailey, Jr. – cbailey@jscc.edu (731) 424-3520 ext. 204

Pat Parr – parrpd@ornl.gov (865) 576-8123

More Information at: http://www.tneppc.org/calendar_of_events.htm

10th Annual Great Air Potato Roundup

About 925 local residents climbed out of bed early Saturday morning to search for air potatoes, a non-native plant threatening Florida's wildlife. People from local environmental and volunteer organizations split up to uproot the plant throughout 33 sites in Gainesville, Florida.

More information at: http://www.alligator.org/articles/2009/02/02/news/local/090202_potato.txt

New Website for Roadside Revegetation Using Native Plants

Check it out at: http://www.nativerevegetation.org

Looking for Leek Moth images (Acrolepiopsus assectella)

We have several groups looking for images of Leek Moth (Acrolepiopsus assectella). This pest is not known to be in the United States but it does pose a substantial threat.

If you have images please pass them on to us through our online images upload form. If you put "Leek Moth" in the batch name, I'll make sure they get to where they need to be.

Looking for pesticide application and aquatics

We'ver recently had a few people asking for images of pesticide use, aplication techniques, safety, and other topics related to aquatics. Here are a few things that are currently in demand:

* American pondweed
* Southern naiad
* coontail
* musk-grass
* diversion ditch
* pond fertilization
* pond drawdown
* riprap on stream on pond dam or bank
* pesticide being applied at pond site
* before and after pond herbicide application
* fish parasites or diseases
* beaver trap
* somone (like a pesticide applicator) talking to the media
* person talking with landowner about an pesticide application
* sign warning against poisoning aquatic mammals.

If you have images of these species or their look alikes, please pass them on to us through our online images upload form. If you put "Pesticides" or "Aquatics" in the batch name, I'll make sure they get to where they need to be.

Request for images of bonsai diseases

We got a request from Tony DiVittorio with APHIS for images of several diseases affecting bonsai plants. The list is a little lengthy, but any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. You can contribute images through our online image upload form. If you upload the images under the batch name "Bonsai Diseses" I'll make sure they get to where they need to be.

Since the list is a little long so I've included it at the link below.

Bonsai_Disease_Image_Recruiting List‎

The short version would be that any diseases on the following hosts would be useful:

• Bougainvellia spp.
• Buxus sinica
• Carpinus spp.
• Celtis sinensis
• Corylopsis spicata
• Ginkgo biloba
• Lagerstromia indica
• Magnolia kobus
• Pinus densiflora
• Pinus thunbergii
• Podocarpus macropyllus
• Syzygium buxiflolium

North Carolina bans beach vitex

For more information, see article here: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090122/ARTICLES/901220263?Title=State_officially_bans_vitex___kudzu_of_the_coast_

Recruiting images of Everglades Invasives and look-alikes

Different programs focusing on the everglades have been looking for images of invasive species and their native look alikes. Here is a top 10 list:

• Old World climbing fern – Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae, climbing fern family)
• Brazilian pepper - Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae, sumac family)
• Melaleuca – Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae, myrtle family)
• Mayan cichlid – Cichlasoma urophthalamus (Cichlidae, cichlid family)
• Black rat – Rattus rattus (Muridae, rat and mouse family)
• Cuban tree frog – Osteopilus septentrionalis (Hylidae, tree frog family)
• Burmese python – Python molurus bivittatus (Boidae, boa family)
• Purple swamphen – Porphyrio porphyrio (Rallidae, rail family)
• Island apple snail – Pomacea canaliculata (Pilidae, apple snail family)
• Orinoco sailfin catfish – Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus (Loricariidae, suckermouth armored catfish)

If you have images of these species or their look alikes, please pass them on to us through our online images upload form. If you put "Everglades" in the batch name, I'll make sure they get to where they need to be.

Groups sue EPA over ship discharge rules.

Interesting article here.

Looking for Rodent Images

We have recently had several groups of people ask us for images of rodents. I particular, they are looking for images of house mice (Mus musculus), roof rats/black rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). If you have images of these critters, visit our authors information site and send them to us.

Images needed for a Plant Inspection Manual by Representación de la FAO en Chile

We get requests for images from all over the world. Recently, we had a request for images to illustrate a Plant Inspection Manual being created by the FAO in Chile. We were able to help them but there are a few things that they need more images to illustrate. Here is their wish list:

• Puccinia horiana on Chrysanthemum
• Any Insects boring canes (examples below):
• Synanthedon tipuliformis on Ribes
• Zeuzera pyrina in any species

You can contribute images through our online image upload form.

Georgia Invasive Species Strategy

Available online for comment at: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/assets/documents/GeorgiaInvasiveSpeciesStrategy.pdf

Top Five Invasive Plants Threatening Southern Forests in 2009

Scientist Names Top Five Invasive Plants Threatening Southern Forests in 2009

New Maps Show Spread of Nonnative Plants across Southeast

Asheville,NC -- U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) Ecologist Jim Miller, Ph.D., one of the foremost authorities on nonnative plants in the South, today identified the invasive plant species he believes pose the biggest threats to southern forest ecosystems in 2009.

"Cogongrass, tallowtree, and Japanese climbing fern are among the fastest moving and most destructive nonnative plant species facing many southern landowners this year," said Miller. "Rounding out the top five invasive species that I’m very concerned about would be tree-of-heaven and nonnative privets. While our forests are besieged by numerous invasive plants, these and other nonnative species present serious financial and ecological threats to the South and its forests in 2009."

Nonnative species often out-compete native forest plants and may degrade forest productivity, wildlife habitat, recreational values, and water quality. Invasive species also greatly increase expenses as public and private land managers work to combat their spread and deal with their effects (such as increased wildfire risk and severity).

Nonnative plants can be introduced and spread by wildlife or through other natural means. Humans also spread invasive species by planting them in their gardens and yards and by seeds hitchhiking on their clothes. Additionally, tractors and mowers used in multiple locations without being cleaned often spread nonnative plants.

In an effort to inform forest managers, landowners, and others about where the most threatening invasive plants are in the South and to help them prepare for these threats, Miller collaborated with SRS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) scientists to develop maps showing the spread, county-by-county, across the Southeast of more than 30 of the most serious nonnative plant species. The invasive plant data were collected on FIA plots throughout the southern United States in cooperation with State forestry agencies. In partnership with the University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species Science and Ecosystem Health, SRS researchers recently posted the maps and occupation levels online.

Maps posted at http://www.invasive.org/fiamaps/acres.cfm show the number of acres in a county covered by each nonnative species. Maps posted online at

http://www.invasive.org/fiamaps/percent.cfm show the percent of subplots analyzed in a county that have each invasive species. A spreadsheet found at

http://www.invasive.org/fiamaps/summary.pdf shows the total acreage of 33 invasive plant species in 12 Southeastern States (data for eastern Oklahoma is missing as SRS FIA just

completed this part of the State’s inventory this month). Users can access the maps and spreadsheet via http://www.invasive.org/fiamaps/. Current plans are for researchers to update the information annually.

Miller hopes government agencies, forest managers, natural resource professionals, landowners, students, and others will use the information to help combat the spread of nonnative plant species in southern forest and grassland ecosystems.

Details on the five invasive plants mentioned above can be found online via: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs062/. The Web page features Jim Miller’s book titled Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control, published in 2003. Request a copy by e-mail at srspubqueue@fs.fed.us or by calling 828-257-4830.

Based in Auburn, AL, Miller is a scientist in the SRS Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants of Southern Forests unit.

New Book - Economics of Forest Disturbances: Wildfires, Storms and Invasive Species

Book Breaks New Ground in the Study of Economics and Forest Threats Management

Asheville,NC -- U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) Director Jim Reaves today announced the publication of The Economics of Forest Disturbances: Wildfires, Storms, and Invasive Species . Edited by three SRS scientists, the book offers a synthesis of new approaches to understanding the economics of large-scale forest disturbances.

"This book comes at a critical time when America 's forests face increasing stress and damage from wildfire, pests, natural disturbances, and climate change - and when agencies face increasing demands for resources to tackle these threats," said Reaves. "I believe this book offers vital information that can assist decision makers and forest managers in developing strategies and making choices that will help them mitigate today's major stresses and ensure healthy forest ecosystems in the future."

The Economics of Forest Disturbances is the first book of its kind to present a comprehensive framework for analyzing the economic effects of large-scale catastrophic events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and invasions of non-native pests. With contributions from leading government and university scientists, the editors show how existing and new scientific techniques can be applied to identify the causes and consequences of forest disturbances. The editors emphasize that economic behavior matters, both in the production and mitigation of forest disturbances. Each chapter clarifies this general theme and shows how physical factors, such as climate, interact with economic factors, such as technology or management incentives, to produce economic damages. The book, which includes several case studies, resulted from the editors' belief that standard methods for evaluating economic impacts are often inadequate for addressing issues affecting forests and provide limited guidance for improved decision-making. The book's 19 chapters seek to describe the state-of-the-art in understanding the economic dimensions of forest disturbances.

The Economics of Forest Disturbances consists of four sections, which reflect the editors' view that: (1) economic analyses of forest disturbances go hand-in-hand with ecological understanding; (2) forest disturbances are random variables that are amenable to new statistical analysis; (3) consistent accounts of timber and non-timber economic impacts (such as disturbance effects on recreation or residential property values) are pre-requisite to planning and decision-making; and (4) economic models can be used to improve decisions and set priorities. The 422-page text is academically focused and written for forest economists, policy makers and analysts, land managers, graduate students, and others in the forestry arena.

Research Foresters Thomas Holmes, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Prestemon, Ph.D., and Research Economist Karen Lee Abt, Ph.D., compiled and edited the book. The scientists are part of the SRS Forest Economics and Policy unit based in Research Triangle Park , N.C. The book is published by Springer.

For more information contact: Thomas Holmes at (919) 549-4031 or by email at tholmes@fs.fed.us ; Jeff Prestemon at (919) 549-4033 or jprestemon@fs.fed.us ; and Karen Lee Abt at (919) 549-4094 or kabt@fs.fed.us .

New images of Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana)

The Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania has sent us some new images of Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana). This pest has appeared on the Most Un-Wanted List of several groups in the United States. Take a look at these new images.

Tips for keeping your bird feeder environmentally friendly.

Informative artcle from the Weed Science Society of America here.