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.