Felt Soled Boot Restrictions in the United States

As of January 1st, 2012 Alaska, Maryland, Rhode Island and Vermont will have statewide restrictions on the use of felt soled boots and waders. These felt soled boots are popular with fishermen because they help to prevent slipping on the bottom of slippery freshwater streams and rivers. Banning the felt soled boots can help prevent the spread of the invasive diatom, Didymosphenia geminata or didymo commonly found in streams and rivers across North America. See the links below to learn more.

• Information on Didymosphenia geminata
• Status of Felt Restrictions in the United States
• Clean Angling Coalition - Protect our waters from Invaders

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

33,000 Giant African Land Snails Captured In Miami

If you have any doubts about how big the invasive species problem is read the article in the Huff Post, 33,000 Giant African Land Snails Captured In Miami . The 33,000 snails were caught in just four months thanks to citizens reporting any sightings of the giant snail. USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture have created a public awareness campaign to spread the word about the voracious and health threatening snail.

Flooding Worsened by Invasive Weeds

From a press release in Weed Science Society of America: Flooding Along Our Nation's Rivers Worsened by Invasive Weeds. "This year flooding has ravaged thousands of homes and businesses in communities across the U.S. And scientists say the prevalence of invasive weeds is one of the factors that may be contributing to the damage."
Timothy Prather, University of Idaho said, "Reclaiming riparian areas and restoring native species can be vital to flood control, water quality and even wildlife habitat. It is important that we focus on early identification of invasive weeds, understand their growth patterns and how they spread, and establish an effective management plan before it’s too late."
Read the article for the explanation of how the presence of invasive plants can increase the damage caused by flooding.

Coordination at an International Level to Reduce the Spread of Invasives

Reuben P. Keller and Charles Perrings, authors of a recent article in BioOne suggest that coordination and cooperation at an international level is necessary to reduce the spread of invasive species. They recommend that these efforts should be modeled on the already existing international agreements which help to reduce the spread of diseases around the world. Keller and Perrings foresee that it will take several years to reach a working solution and suggest intermediate steps to slow the spread of invasive species until an agreement can be reached in the international community. One of these suggestions is the widespread adoption of existing risk assessments and importation standards already in use in many areas. Read the article: International Policy Options for Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Invasive Species. BioScience Dec 2011, Vol. 61, No. 12: 994-1004.

Illegal Animals Turned in Under Amnesty Program in Hawaii

The State of Hawaii's Amnesty Program allows illegal animals to be turned in with no questions asked, immunity from prosecution and no fines.  Animals turned in under amnesty will not be euthanized. These animals are not native to Hawaii and would pose a serious risk to native fauna if they were released or escaped into the wild. The HDOA Office, Honolulu Zoo, Panaewa Zoo in Hilo or any Humane Society will take in illegal animals. Anyone finding or with information on illegal animals should call the PEST HOTLINE at 643-PEST (7378). Read the News release from Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Python molurus ssp. bivittatus
photo by Skip Snow, National Park Service, Bugwood.org

National Forest System Invasive Species Management Policy

National Forest System Invasive Species Management Policy: "The Forest Service has finalized the development of an internal directive to Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2900 for invasive species management. This final invasive species management directive will provide foundational comprehensive guidance for the management of invasive species on aquatic and terrestrial areas of the National Forest System (NFS). This directive articulates broad objectives, policies, responsibilities, and
definitions for Forest Service employees and partners to more effectively communicate NFS invasive species management requirements at the local, regional, and national levels."
The objectives and goals begin on page 2, with policy and principles beginning on page 3. They are set forth in a clear and easily understood manner. It is stated that many invasive species management activities are already being carried out and indeed have been for some time. The purpose of this policy is to bring those efforts together for a more coordinated management plan. 

The Unneccessary Extinction of the Redbay Tree

'An Undefended Buffet: The Unnecessary Extinction of the Redbay, a Defining Southern Tree' is an excellent article written for The Nature Conservancy by writer and naturalist Susan Cerulean. Ms. Cerulean lives in Tallahassee, Florida, where she keeps watch over the still-healthy redbays along the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers. Through interviews with Chip Bates, Georgia Forestry Commission, and other experts she tells of the threat to redbay trees across the its range in the Southeastern United States.

Sign of a redbay tree infected with the redbay ambrosia beetle
photo by James Johnson, Georgia Forestry Commission, Bugwood.org

Bugwood Images now has 150,000 images available!

The Bugwood Image Database has officially crossed the 150,000 image mark!  Since coming online in 2001, we've had steady growth thanks to the efforts of the 1,800 photographers that have posted images in the system.  We have also been very fortunate to have great users that let us know what they would like to see in the future and how the system can be improved.  All of us at the Center wish to thank you for your help in building a useful and dynamic resource! 

Teaching Kids About Invasive Plants

Some great resources have been created to help teach children about the problems caused by invasive species. Listed here are a few sources. If you know about other resources please send us the information so we can share it with everyone.

• Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia: Kid's Corner
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council: Alien Invaders!
• Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative and Curriculum: Teacher Resource Notebook
• Commander Ben in Texas: Teaching Kids About Invasives

Pest Tracker image recruitment

Pest Tracker publishes survey maps for pests of agricultural and forest commodities and provides links to pest news and information.  They also use images from the Bugwood Image Database to illustrate different organisms.  There are currently 120 species that have no images available!  There are many more that need more images to better illustrate thier life cycles and management.  The list for the recruitment project can be found on the Bugwood Image Recruitment page for Pest Tracker.  Here are a few of the species that we need images to illustrate and are pretty common:

• sour skin of onion (Burkholderia cepacia)
• dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva)
• brown spot of corn (Physoderma maydis)
• glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis)
• soybean stem borer (Dectes texanus)
• tufted apple bud moth (Platynota idaeusalis)
• squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae)
• black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)

IveGot1 - Identify and Report Invasives

IveGot1 - Identify and Report Invasive

Animals and Plants in Florida

Everglades National Park announces the release of a much expanded mobile app for tracking invasive exotics in Florida. The Park partnered with University of Georgia in the development of the "IveGot1" app for the popular iPhone to identify and report invasive plants and animals spotted in Florida.
Download this free app.

 

Watch the Interview on the New iPhone App

Commander Ben interviews Chuck Bargeron about EDDMapS and

the New iPhone App teamimg up to battle invasive species!

Way to go Commander Ben,

you are setting a great example for all of us.

Invasive Species are a Worldwide Problem

Invasive bugs are being imported into Guam on Christmas trees. The author comments that he isn't an expert on invasive species. But all it really takes is to take the time to look around and see the changes happening around us. Kudzu in the south is an example. Although we now have a generation who has grown up seeing Kudzu covering the landscape, there are people who still remember what it was like before.  Read the article, 'Invasive insects are a real threat' from Guampdn.com by Frank Ishizaki.

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The Hidden Cost of Trade: Invasive Species

A very interesting article, by Faith Campbell in ICTSD (International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, on invasive species, how they move around the world and just what a new invasion can cost. Click to read the article, The hidden cost of trade: Invasive species as a trade “externality”.

2012 Invasive Plant Short Course

2012 NORTH AMERICAN INVASIVE PLANT ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

A new course on invasive plants has been developed for researchers, land managers, graduate students, and policy makers. The North American Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Short Course (NAIPSC) is three days of intense instruction and learning for those interested in the basics of invasive plant ecology and management. The second annual course will be held June 26-28 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research & Extension Center in North Platte, NE. The 2012 NAIPSC will include presentations, hands-on workshops, site visits and instructor-led discussion sessions on the latest in invasive plant ecology and management. CEU and graduate student credit will be available. Click here for more information.

Pesticide Information from the EPA

Get the most up-to-date information available from the EPA on the pesticides you use.

New - Plant Management in Florida Waters Website

Aquatic plants play an integral role in Florida’s aquatic ecosystems, but occasionally some of the vegetation, especially non-native invasive plants, interferes with the use and function of these natural resources.  Plant Management in Florida Waters – An Integrated Approach is a newly revised website produced by the UF-IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants in conjunction with the state’s lead agency for aquatic plant management, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Climate change, beetle may doom rugged pine | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Climate change, beetle may doom rugged pine | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Threat of Invasive Species on CBS News

Just in case you missed the piece CBS News did on the threat of invasive species click to see the video.

Giant East African Snail, Achatina fulica
photo by Andrew Derksen, FDACS/DPI, Bugwood.org

Lonicera mackii's adverse impacts on native amphibian communities

Invasive shrub alters native forest amphibian communities, is an article in Science Direct which reports the results of a study done on native amphibian communities under the invasive shrub Lonicera mackii. The authors,  James I. Watling, Caleb R. Hickman, and John L. Orrock found that species richness decreased under the canopy of this invasive shrub.

To read the article click here.

Green tree frog, Hyla cinereaphoto by Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org

Last Chance for Early-Bird Registration

NATURAL AREAS CONFERENCE 2011

Last Chance
for Early-Bird Registration

Register by/on

Monday 10/17  Save up to 30%!!

Register Now!

Laurel Wilt Disease in Alabama

First Cases of Laurel Wilt Disease Confirmed in Alabama

Officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission are concerned but not surprised by the news that laurel wilt disease has now been found in two counties in Alabama. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Iowa State University laboratories confirmed that tree stem samples collected in Marengo and Mobile counties were positive for the fungus, Raffaelea lauricola.

     This non-native invasive insect-disease complex primarily affects trees in the laurel family, with redbay, swampbay, camphor, and sassafras being especially susceptible. Other potential hosts in the laurel species include pondberry, pondspice, spicebush, and avocado. A host tree becomes infected with the disease when a redbay ambrosia beetle transmits the fungus into the walls of the sapwood. Quite virulent, the fungus then clogs the vascular system of the tree, preventing the flow of water. As a result, black streaks appear in the sapwood. Soon, the entire crown presents wilted reddish-brown foliage and within weeks, the tree will succumb to the disease.

     Laurel wilt disease was introduced into the United States in 2002 on untreated wood packing material from Asia, first attacking redbay and sassafras trees in Georgia, then spreading into South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and most recently North Carolina. When two redbay ambrosia beetles were captured in traps near Grand Bay, Alabama back in October of 2010, the disease was predicted to spread into Mobile County within the next few years.

     One probable cause for spread of the disease is the long-distance movement of untreated wood products. Infested firewood, wood chips, and even yard debris can become possible carriers of the redbay ambrosia beetle. Avoiding the movement of infested wood and proper disposal can dramatically reduce the threat.

      Unfortunately, very little success has been achieved in containing redbay ambrosia beetle and the associated laurel wilt disease through current control methods. There are, however, some actions that can be implemented to reduce and possibly prevent the further spread of this devastating exotic pest. Any host tree confirmed of having laurel wilt disease should immediately be salvaged. If possible, burn the wood debris of the affected tree on the site, of course, following all state and local regulations. If burning is not an option, at least leave the cut tree at that location. Do not haul cut wood debris killed by laurel wilt disease to other sites. Always buy “local” firewood if travelling to another destination for recreational activities.     

     For additional information on the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt disease, please visit:

www.forestry.alabama.gov – Insect, Disease & Invasive Species – Insects – Insect Advisory; www.fs.fed.us/r8/foresthealth/laurelwilt/index.shtml; or www.aces.edu/ucf/RedbayWiltStory.php.

      Press Release from: The Alabama Forestry Commission is a state agency committed to protecting Alabama citizens and the state’s invaluable forest assets.

Image Recruiting System added to the Bugwood Image Database

Users of the image database often ask us for help in finding images that can be used in publications that they are currently working on.  At the same time, photographers often ask us what images people are looking for.  We've created a new Image Recruitment system to help bring these two groups together! 

There are currently 25 projects that are in need of images to support their work. These projects cover a wide range of topics including agricultural production, invasive species, forest pests, native pests, and exotic pathogens. 

Users who post lists get notifications when new images have been added and also have a set of tools to let them manage their lists and select the images they want to use for each subject.

If you are a photographer that wants to maximize the impact of their work, take a look at the TOP 25 section of the page.  This has an up-to date list of the most requested subjects.  We also provide an batch image uploader to make it easy to post images. 

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

February 26 to March 3, 2012 in Washington DC

A week of activities, briefings, workshops and events focused on strategizing solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control, and management issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international scales.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

n  National Invasive Species Council (see www.invasivespecies.gov) holds public meeting

n  Grassroots action to prevent and control invasive species – Panel discussions and Webinar

·         Success stories and challenges

·         Cooperative Weed and Invasive Species Management Areas and Tribal efforts

n  Capitol Hill Briefings on aquatic invasive species, including quagga and zebra mussels and Asian carp

n  Workshop on invasive species prevention and management in urban areas

n  Invasive Species Award Ceremony and Reception

n  Kids Invasive Species Awareness Day at the US Botanic Garden

n  Weed Prevention - Best Practices Proven to Work/  How to turn away unwelcome guests

n  Prevention through Outreach and Awareness – Experts panel on lessons learned

n  Invasive Species Solutions – poster session

n  Update by federal agencies on important invasive species issues and initiatives

n  State and Local events highlighting invasive species efforts throughout the country!

Check www.nisaw.org for more details and further developments!

Contacts:          Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D.
                           National and Regional Weed Science Societies
                           Lee.VanWychen@wssa.net                                    

                           Lori Williams
                           National Invasive Species Council
                           Lori_Williams@ios.doi.gov

 Participating organizations:   The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds, the Great Lakes Commission, the Federal Interagency Committee on Invasive Terrestrial Animals and Pathogens, the United States Botanic Garden, and many others.

To Be or Not To Be Invasive

Bob Flasher, who has spent 20 years working in National Parks, was recently interviewed by Invasive Plant News. Basically the article addresses the many misconceptions about what constitutes an Invasive Plant. So I offer here a couple of definitions which are just part of a complicated issue.

• Weed: A plant, regardless of nativity, which is growing somewhere we don't want it to grow. We often use the word weed to describe plants which invade agricultural fields or our landscaping.
   
• Invasive plant: To be considered invasive a plant must meet three criteria.
1. It is non-native to the ecosystem where it is growing.
2. It is able to not only escape cultivation but continues to expand it range.
3. It's presence and population growth causes, or has the potential to cause harm to people, native plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Bob makes many good points in the article. It is a complicated issue with many opinions on the best way to tackle the problem. One thing that most people agree on is the need for Early Detection of new invasive plants. The old saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' is definitely appropriate for this situation.
Read the article.
If you would like to help tackle the problem of invasive species in your area or just learn more about that problem, contact the invasive species working group in your area.  You can report invasive plants in your area to EDDMapS (Early Detection & Distribution MAPping System). The Tools and Training page in EDDMapS has step-by-step instructions for creating an account and entering invasive plant sitings.

Invasive Fish, "I had no idea it would taste this good"

"Wow; I had no idea it would taste this good," student Alex Herman said, in an article by Jill Moon in the Telegraph.com. Also quoted in the article, famed Louisiana chef Philippe Parola says that this fish tastes good, is high in protein and contains little or no mercury. Read the article.

Not only can one of these fish get big enough
to feed the whole family, but they will literally jump right into the boat.

Michigan Sea Grant Archive,
University of Michigan and Michigan State University,
Bugwood.org



GA-EPPC Annual Meeting & Conference

GA-EPPC Annual Meeting & Conference
October 6th, 2011.

Be sure to Register soon. 

The Callaway Building at the Georgia State Botanical Gardens, University of Georgia, 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia.

 

Pesticide Credits and ISA Hours: 

• Arborist: 5.0
• BCMA Science: 1.0
• Utility: 2.0
• BCMA Practice: 1.0
• Municipal: 5.0
• BCMA Management: 3.0
• Applicators Categories 21, 23, 24, 27: 5.0
• Hours for Private Applicator: 3.0

Purdue's Invasive Species Workshop

Invasive Plants: What's the big deal?  Learn how to identify both native and nonnative invasive plants; discover the impacts on the environment, wildlife habitat, and your checkbook; learn why prevention, early detection, and rapid response are vital in the control of invasive plants; gain a better understanding of the various methods used to control them effectively; and learn about financial and technical resources that can be a help. Workshop is free.
Purdue's website has many interesting workshops to choose from.

137 Introduced Amphibian and Reptile Species in Florida

The article in ScienceDaily, says Florida has the world's worst invasive amphibian and reptile problem, and a new 20-year study led by a University of Florida researcher verifies the pet trade as the No. 1 cause of the species' introductions. Zootaxa has a preview of the original article.

Webinar-Invasive Plants in Southern Forests

Webinar - A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests is scheduled for Sep 20, 2011 12:00 - 1:00pm US/Eastern.  Click here for more information.       

 

Nonnative plants continue to invade and spread through forests in the South. These infestations increasingly erode forest productivity, hinder forest use and management activities, and degrade diversity, habitat, and our recreational experiences. Managers, landowners, and homeowners need to have the latest information on how to prevent entry to their lands, build strategies with neighbors, implement integrated procedures for control, and proceed toward site rehabilitation.

We will introduce you to a new book that we co-authored, which is available free from the Southern Research Station, entitled “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” (General Technical Report SRS-131). We will provide an overview of how these actions fit together and the latest control methods. The guide provides detailed control prescriptions for 56 prevalent invasive plants and groups for your reference. 

 

Author(s)/Presenter(s):

• Jim Miller - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Auburn University, AL

• Stephen Enloe - Department of Agronomy and Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University, AL

Credits:

• Texas Dept of Ag - Pesticide Safety Continuing Ed - 1 hour IPM Credit

 

Free copies of "A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests" (General Technical Report SRS-131) can be requested at pubrequest@fs.fed.us or by calling 828-257-4830.

Invasive Forest Insects Cost Homeowners Billions

The study finds that homeowners and tax payers are bearing the cost of the damage to forests in America caused by invasive non-native insects. This costs runs into the billions of dollars.
Read the article in PLoS ONE, Economic Impacts of Non-Native Forest Insects in the Continental United States (Aukema JE, Leung B, Kovacs K, Chivers C, Britton KO, et al. (2011)).
Read ScienceDaily's report on this article.

Natural Areas Conference - Early Bird Registration Ends Soon!

Early Bird Registration

Ends Soon!  

   Register Now

and save up to $50!

You are invited to attend the 38th annual Natural Areas Conference hosted by the

 Natural Areas Association (NAA) with co-host the National Association of Exotic Pest Plant Councils (NAEPPC).

Florida is home to more than 9 million acres of federal, state and locally conserved natural areas.  Tallahassee and the natural beauty of the Florida panhandle provide a stunning backdrop for the conference proceedings.

Conference Quick Links

Schedule

Field Trips

  Hotel

Invasive Species Alert - Kudzu Bug Spreading Across the South

In an article from Georgia FACES, UGA Entomologist Wayne Gardner said, “The bug can now be found in 143 Georgia counties, all South Carolina counties, 42 North Carolina counties and 5 Alabama counties.” Read this article.

Adult Megacopta cribraria and eggs
photo by Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Megacopta cribraria eggs and nymphs
photo by Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Do you have a CISMA or CWMA?

Is there a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs), Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) or Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs) in your area? Check to see if you are on the map. If not then submit your CISMA/CWMA.
A  CISMA/CWMA is a partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that work together cooperatively to manage invasive species (or weeds) in a defined area.

There is information available on how to create a CISMA/CWMA in your area. There are also instructions and a template for creating a website for your CISMA/CWMA.

Exotic Earthworm Invasion

Forests Under Threat from Exotic Earthworm Invasion: Study Shows Humans to Blame for Spread of Non-Native Species an article in Science Daily reports on information reported in an article from Human Ecology. Both articles are very interesting and worth reading. Unfortunately it really does not come as a surprise that humans are the culprits in the importation and spread of non-native, invasive or potentially invasive species. We are continually looking for a better, easier way to do things. This is one of those human qualities which has a good side and a bad side. We have learned that we need to be much more cautious when introducing something non-native to the ecosystems we live in and are a part of. These non-native species are living organisms that do not recognize our man made boundaries. They don't stop at the fence in our backyard or at county, state or national boundaries. Each and every one of us can help to stop the introduction and spread of invasive species by starting with informed, responsible stewardship of our own little piece of America, however large or small that may be. Fruit from an invasive plant grown in a container on an apartment balcony can be spread for many miles by wildlife eating that fruit. Most states have an Exotic or Invasive Species Council. Join your local council and ask for ways you can help and for a list of non-invasive alternatives for landscaping. For Georgia go to GA-EPPC.org


Forest floor before non-native earthworm invasion is rich in organic material
photo by Robert Lee, Bugwood.org

Forest floor after non-native earthworm invasion. Orgainc material is gone.
Photo by Robert Lee, Bugwood.org

Call for Data - National Data Collection Project

Through funding from U. S. Forest Service - Forest Health Protection, we are now expanding the call for invasive plant distribution data nationwide! This will allow EDDMapS to display the true range of known invasive plants as well as add new species to the distribution maps as they are reported. Plants such as jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) have noticeably patch distribution maps; we hope to be able to connect "isolated" populations to the existing known range. To handle the anticipated influx of data, we hired Rebekah Wallace, MS Weed Science - University of Georgia, as EDDMapS Data Coordinator to streamline the recruiting, formatting, and uploading bulk data into EDDmapS. Please contact Rebekah at bekahwal@uga.edu or 229-386-3298 and help us to complete the picture of invasive plant distribution nationwide.

Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program

Conserving native plants is an important part of protecting habitats from invasive plants. This program will help you learn more about the wonderful native habitats here in Georgia.

The Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program

by

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Coastal Wildscapes

For more information about the Certificate program or to register for classes, pease contact Cora Keber at 706-542-6156 or ckeber@uga.edu.

Or you may register online at http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/eduregister.html

Rhexia alifanus
photo by Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

 ORIENTATION SESSION (Optional and Free) 

 

Orientation for New or Interested Students to the Certificate in Native Plants Program. Friday, September 16, 2011. 9:00am – 10:00am. Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Savannah. 

CORE COURSES (All four are required of Certificate students)

Plant Taxonomy. Saturday, November 5, 2011. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Savannah. Members $95*, non-members $105.     

Basic Botany. Saturday, January 28, 2012. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Savannah. Members $95*, non-members $105.  
Natural Communities of Georgia. Saturday, March 3, 2012. 9:00am – 5:00pm. Ogeechee Canal, Savannah. Members $95*, non-members $105.
Plant Conservation: Protecting Plant Diversity in the Garden and in the Wild. Saturday, June 2, 2012.10:00am – 5:00pm. Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Savannah. Members $95*; non-members $105

ELECTIVE COURSES (Certificate students choose six or more and there are many to choose from)

And then 16 SERVICE HOURS Completes your requirements.

*Class fees are reduced for members of the following organizations. To receive discount, class fees must be paid by check only.

• Friends of the State Botanical Garden (http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/supmember.html )
• Friends of the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens (http://www.bamboo.caes.uga.edu/friends.html)
• Coastal Wildscapes (http://coastalwildscapes.org/join-us )

EDRR Alert - Ravennagrass

Ravennagrass (Ripidium ravennae (L.) Trinius) was noticed by several sharp observers in the mid-Atlantic region who reported it in 2009, in time for it to be included in the 4th edition of the Plant Invaders book as one of the "Plants to Watch" (p. 130). If you spot this non-native plant outside of landscaped areas, please report your observation to MAEDN.

Ravennagrass, Ripidium ravennae
photo by  The Nature Conservancy Archive, Bugwood.org

The Mid-Atlantic Early Detection Network or MAEDN is powered by EDDMapS.
Other images for Ravennagrass can be found at Invasive.org.

Swallow-wort Biocontrols Pass Test

"Entomologists Richard Casagrande and Heather Faubert helped rid a Rhode Island farm of cypress spurge, an invasive weed, in the late 1990s. The spurge is a pretty thing but a thug nonetheless, and poisonous to cattle. Their weapon: a cadre of hungry beetles, biocontrol agents so keyed into spurge they won’t eat anything else." excerpt from the article, Swallow-wort Biocontrols Pass Test, by Mary Woodson, Northeastern IPM Center. Read more about biocontrol for swallow-wort and the stringent tests any biocontrol agent must pass before it can be released to tackle harmful invasive plants.

The Cost of Invasive Species

Invasive non-native species cause harm to  native ecosystems. For example, the brown marmorated stink bug, introduced accidentally from Asia, has moved along the east coast of the United States. With no natural predators, the insects are able to multiply and feed on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, damaging the farmer's crops and raising food prices for all of us. Read more about how much money is spent in our country controlling or managing invasive species in the US Fish & Wildlife Service blog.

Halyomorpha halys,  brown marmorated stink bug
photo by Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS, Bugwood.org

Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month

August is Asian Long-horned Beetle Awareness Month!

 The Asian long-horned beetle is killing in America. Everyone can help to stop it. Learn the signs. Look for it. Report it. And Never move firewood. Always use locally grown and harvested firewood and untreated wood products.

Asian long-horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis
photo by Melody Keena, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

For more information BeetleBusters.Info

For more information on Asian long-horned beetle. 

EDDMapS Reporting for Laurel Wilt and Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

New for Florida, report laurel wilt, (Raffaelea lauricola) and redbay ambrosia beetle, (Xyleborus glabratus) in EDDMapS. Report sightings to http://www.floridainvasives.org

Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus
photo by Michael C. Thomas, Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org

For more information on laurel wilt.
For more information on redbay ambrosia beetle.

Report laurel wilt or redbay ambrosia beetle in Georgia to your County Forester or your County Extension Agent.

In other regions report sightings to your County Extension Agent.

Emerald Ash Borer Predator Found

Cerceris fumipennis, wasp predator
of the Invasive Emerald ash borer.
Photo by Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org

Read the article "Wasp may be key to saving ash trees" to find out more about this large stingless wasp, Cerceris fumipennis, which is a natural predator of the invasive species called emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis. The emerald ash borer is attacking ash trees in many areas across the United States and the invasive pest is spreading. Read the article written by Andrew Chave in AuburnPub.Com.

Remember to do your part to keep Emerald ash borer from spreading by always using local firewood and other untreated wood products.

West Nile Virus Is An Invasive Species

Vaccinate Horses for West Nile Virus Now

A third of horses infected with West Nile Virus will die;

 a third of those that survive will be paralyzed or have to be euthanized.

photo by Dave Powell,USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

West Nile Virus is showing up early in Georgia this year.  Horses are highly vulnerable to this disease, and over a third of horses that get West Nile die.  There is no treatment.  If your horse has not already been vaccinated this year, call your veterinarian now and make an appointment to get the West Nile (and Eastern Equine Encephalitis) vaccination.

Photo by J. Kim Kaplan, Bugwood.org

There is no West Nile vaccine for humans, so disease prevention must rely on avoiding mosquitoes.  Wear long sleeves, long pants, and insect repellent when outdoors.  Encourage your neighbors to pour out any standing water in the community (mosquito larvae can complete their development in less than a cup of water in a tin can).  Standing water that cannot be drained (ditches, for instance) can be treated with “mosquito dunks” or “mosquito donuts” (containing the non-toxic mosquito larva killer Bti).  Cut back bushes and shrubs to increase air flow around the home and discourage mosquito flight. 

West Nile Virus and the mosquitos which carry it are non-native
 and considered invasive because of the harm they cause
 to animals and humans in this country.
Photo by Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org

Managing the Spread of New Plant Invaders

Workshop being held at Harriman State Park, Island Park, Idaho on August 24, 2011. This workshop will present current projects and topics with a special emphasis on the early control of rush skeletonweed and Dyer's woad. Researchers and land managers will identify the key challenges and steps to protect north central Idaho from the spread of these plants. Safeguarding this region will also protect outlying areas including northeastern Idaho, southwestern Montana, and northwestern Wyoming. This workshop will refine our strategies and research to guide long-term investments in prevention and early control. reas including northeastern Idaho, southwestern Montana, and northwestern Wyoming. This workshop will refine our strategies and research to guide long-term investments in prevention and early control.
View the Agenda.
Click here to Register.
Directions to Harriman State Park.

Rush skeletonweed, photo from Utah State University Archive, Bugwood.org

Control Privet in Mature Hardwood Stands

"Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) is one of the most widespread non-native invasive plants within hardwood and pine forests throughout all ecoregions of Georgia (Harper 2009). It aggressively invades, spreads and eventually dominates many forested understories, completely displacing native flora. This field trial by the Georgia Forestry Commission evaluated one technique (previously untested) for removing a privet-choked understory in a hardwood bottom within the piedmont region."Click here to read the paper.

Chinese privet taking over Forest understory
Photo by David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Spreading the Right Messages About Invasives

Excerpt from article in Diversity and Distributions invasive bush "honeysuckle disproportionately impacts birds of conservation concern and acts as an ecological trap even for generalist species. Although there is a real need to fully consider both positive and negative consequences of invasive species, if such research is not placed within the proper ecological context, we risk sending distorted or mixed messages to managers." Read the entire article by Amanda D. Rodewald, School of Environment & Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Link to article: Spreading messages about invasives
Spreading messages about invasives, Diversity and Distributions, (Diversity Distrib.) (2011) 1–3

Lonicera maackii, photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

What Is in Your Backyard?

What is in your backyard?

Do you know how many different kinds

 of invasive plants are lurking in your yard? 

Here is a way to find out:

1. First find the list of invasive plants for your state or region. Click on this link to the National Exotic Pest Plant Council, then choose the EPPC in your region to find your list. It could also be called an Invasive Pest Council or something similar.

2. Next click on this link to EDDMapS and choose your county to get a list of the non-native plants which have been reported in your county. Please note that all of the species listed may not be a problem in your county, but are exotic to the U.S. and are listed as a problem somewhere in the U.S.

3. Take the two lists and a highlighter and walk around your yard. Highlight every plant on the lists that you find in your yard.

4. Let's see what everyone finds. Show us your results on the Bugwood Facebook page.

If you need help to check that a plant on the list is what are you seeing in your yard...go to www.Invasive.org. Click on the Plants tab then find the plant you want to check out from the 1576 plants listed there. Click on the plant name and you can see basic information, management information and pictures of the plant which you can compare to the plant you have in your yard.