Invasive Insects Cost the World How Much?!

An interesting article was recently published in Nature Communications looking at how much invasive insects cost worldwide.  Invasive insects are one of the more important categories of invasives, impacting shipping/trade, farming, ecology, forestry, health care, and more.

formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) damage.  Image credit: formosanus Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

The article evaluated 737 existing studies, books, and reports from 1911 through December 2015 on the  economic cost of invasive insects cost. The articles/book/reports were first evaluated based on reproducibility of results and of the 737 initial sources, only 158 contained usable and relevant economic estimates.  Evaluation of those studies show that invasive insects, at a minimum, US$70 billion per year for goods and services and US$6.9 billion per year for human health.

The article was submitted with supplementary material which included a spreadsheet of the studies and numbers gleaned from each source.  For more information on the study and specific numbers for certain insects, check out the article.

Source Article: Massive yet grossly underestimated global costs of invasive insects
Science Direct Article: Invasive insects: Underestimated cost to the world economy

Thoughts from the International Congress of Entomology 2016

It has been a little over a week since we participated at the International Congress of Entomology 2016 in Orlando, FL and it was a great experience.  The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health hosted a booth in the Exhibit Hall for the week and we also participated in the Symposium: What Happens When Pest Occurrence Data is Shared: End of the World or New Horizons?

Image by: Rebekah D. Wallace

The conference had over 6,600 registered attendants and about half came from outside of the United States, representing 102 countries. It was a great opportunity to meet people we may not have another chance to otherwise.  In the six days that the Exhibit Hall was open and we were able to talk to over 260 people from at least 32 countries.  We talked at length with researchers from Nigeria, industry representatives from the U.K., academics from New Zealand, and more.  Some of the most interested attendees were the students who came from everywhere.  We were able to talk to people who had not heard of our program, those who only knew about one or two things that we do, and people who were avid supporters of Bugwood.

In working at the booth, we were able to make new connections with people who may be interested in using images from the Image Database in teaching and outreach.  Many were also interested in contributing images so that other researchers, teachers, students, etc. could have access to high-quality images.  We talked to people about EDDMapS and how we work with people in the invasive species community to map species occurrences across the U.S. and in Canada, and there were many people interested in potentially mapping in their own country, asking how we could work together to make that happen.  They learned about our smartphone apps and all of the types we have developed for reporting invasive species, identification, decision support, and more.  The teachers, and really anyone who has given a presentation, were interested in Bugwood Presents, our presentation database that allows you to upload, download, and embed presentations.

But, really, the greatest thing is when avid supporters would come to the booth and talk with other visitors about all of the things that we have done with them.  Countless projects, hours (and after-hours), travel time, webinars, e-mails, phone calls, and more with all of our partners is definitely worth it to hear how much people have been satisfied with the work we are doing.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

EAB strikes again!

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has added North Carolina to the regulated area for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). According to APHIS they are adding NC at the request of state, “in response to the detections of EAB in multiple counties throughout North Carolina.”

Regulated areas’ purpose is to prevent EAB from moving to other states. “Federal Order outlines specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the quarantined areas in North Carolina”. These conditions include interstate movement of host wood for EAB and wood products from areas under quarantine. Firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species are in the category of wood products.

“The interstate movement of firewood from quarantined areas is an especially high-risk pathway for the spread of EAB.” APHIS is working with ‘state cooperators and foresters’ to help prevent the man-made spread of EAB, use controls (biological or otherwise) and increase the public’s awareness about the dangers of moving firewood.

States currently managing EAB with quarantined areas include Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. States entirely quarantined include Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and now North Carolina.

eBay: A Forum for Invasive Plant Trade

Auctions aren't just good for scoring rare collectibles and cheap second-hand items.  Individuals interested in rare and exotic species are using the site to buy and sell live specimens around the world.  Researchers from the Institute of Integrative Biology surveyed eBay and nine other auction websites for flora/plant species over 50 days.  Their survey found that 2,5625 plant species were available for purchase from 65 countries.  Of those species, 510 of them have been documented as an invasive concern somewhere in the world.  In fact, 35 of those species are on the list of top 100 invasive species put out by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.  This type of trade isn't monitored as intensively as shipping plants through typical retail exchanges, and can bring in more than just the desired plant.  People interested in diversifying their garden, should always check if there is a species native to their area that fits their need.  If a native can't be found, research any non-natives for invasive status before buying, as their fun new plant can cause years of battling the invasive tendencies and won't endear you to your neighbors if it spreads to their property.

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) Growing out of a bag of cow manure, in 1991 by Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Species Prevention Specialist, Bugwood.org

Original Source Article: How eBay Could Be Messing Up the World’s Ecosystems

Montana Adds Three Species to their Noxious Weed List

If you don't know what the U.S. Noxious Weed Lists are, here is are some quick facts:

• Separate Federal and State, and even some local/municipal/county lists exist
• Federal Noxious Weed List was established by the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, was amended in 1990, and then was superseded by the Plant Protection Act in 2000
• State and local lists can be created by different agencies in each state
• Plants are added based on their ability to damage the environment, cause harm to persons, or disrupt the economy
• Federally - Movement of listed plant species is restricted (without a permit)
• Many of the plants were added specifically for their impact on agriculture or natural areas

As of July, 2015, Montana added three new invasive species to their state Noxious Weed List:

Parrot Feather Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum [pictured] or M. brasiliense) by Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org

Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa) by U.S. Geological Survey Archive, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org

common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) by Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org

These are all plants that are found in or near water.  They can choke out native plant species, thus minimizing the food sources for many aquatic species, and they can also dramatically alter the available light and nutrients.


Want to know more about these species and where they are found?

Common Reed - Maps, Species Information, and Images
Brazilian waterweed - Maps, Species Information, Wiki Article, and Images
Myriophyllum aquaticum - Maps, Species Information, Wiki Article, and Images

Source Article: State Adds Three New Invasive Plants to Noxious Weed List

Asian Carp Found in Canadian Pond

Two male carp were observed on July 28 and crews from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada were deployed to the Tommy Thompson Park pond to catch the invasive fish.  The fish were first observed by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) staff and a subsequent electro-fishing excursion stunned the fish and they were able to be removed from the pond.  The fish were sent to a fisheries lab in Burlington, Ontario and were both determined to be fertile and of breeding age.  No one is sure how the fish were introduced to the pond, but their presence has several natural resources agencies on alert.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

Source Article: Notoriously invasive Asian carp found in Toronto

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Attracted to Mature Fruit

Brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) are native to Asia and were first found in the U.S. in 1998.  In its native range, it has multiple generations per year, but it hasn't been found to have more than one generation per year in the U.S., though it could have more than one in the southern states.  It is considered to be a destructive agricultural and home pest.

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) by David R. Lance, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

They feed on leaves and fruit of a wide variety of crop, horticultural, and ornamental plants, totaling over 120 species. This is of particular concern to plants grown as crops, as the feeding sites become necrotic and damage the fruit making it unmarketable.

 

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) feeding on peach (Prunus persica) by Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS, Bugwood.org

Researchers have studied these insects to discover ways of controlling them and reducing the damage that they cause to food and structures.  A study conducted on the feeding habits of these bugs show that they are highly preferential to attacking plants which have mature fruit on them.  By removing the fruit from the trees, the bugs almost entirely disappeared from those trees.  This indicates that the bugs could be drastically reduced in areas that choose varieties in which the fruit matures outside of the feeding period of the bug or varieties which are non-fruit bearing, especially for ornamental plantings.  These bugs are known for their attraction to homes as overwintering locations, and the ornamental plantings around home provide food for them in the spring and fall.  By planting species that don't fruit at those times, or at all, the bugs also won't be attracted to the structure as an overwintering location.

Source Article: Stink bugs have strong taste for ripe fruit
BMSB Images: Halyomorpha halys
BMSB BugwoodWiki: Halyomorpha halys
BMSB Distribution Map: Halyomorpha halys

Feral Hogs Workshop in Texas

On August 5, 2015 Big Ticket National Preserve in Kountze, Texas will be hosting a free program with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Hardin County called Wild Hogs Gone Hog Wild In The Big Thicket.  It will cover everything from how hogs came to the U.S., their behavioral and physiological qualifications for invasiveness, how to safely process them, hunting lands, and more.

Wild pig (Sus scrofa (feral type)) by Craig Hicks, Bugwood.org

Source Announcement: Wild Hogs Gone Hog Wild In The Big Thicket
Program Schedule: Wild Hogs Gone Hog Wild In The Big Thicket Program

Spotted Wing Drosophila Repellent Discovered

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is an invasive fly that feeds on soft-skinned fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and others.  It was first detected in California in 2008 and has since spread to many states throughout the U.S. While flies are normally attracted to over-ripe fruit, SWD will lay its eggs in the flesh of ripening fruit and the larvae will hatch and consume the fruit through its development into an adult.

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) adult on raspberry by Hannah Burrack, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that a chemical produced naturally by fruits, Butyl anthranilate (BA), acts as a repellent for the fly.  BA is only produced in small amounts by fruit, by applying a 2.5% solution of BA to blueberries the researchers noted a substantial decrease in the number of larvae and pupae emerging from the fruit.  Nearly complete protection of the fruit was observed at a 10% solution of BA. This means that not only does BA reduce the amount of damage to fruit, but it also reduces the overall population by dissuading SWD from laying eggs.  BA is a commonly used flavor and fragrance ingredient and is generally recognized as safe by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This chemical could serve as a safe and affordable option for fruit growers in place of other insecticides.

Source Article: Safe repellents that protect fruit from spotted wing Drosophila found
Spotted wing drosophila images: Drosophila suzukii
Spotted wing drosophila BugwoodWiki article: Drosophila suzukii
Spotted wing drosophila distribution map: Drosophila suzukii

Colorado Releases Biocontrol Agent for Emerald Ash Borer

Oobius agrili is an egg parasitoid wasp native to Asia, the same region as the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).  The wasp seeks out and lays their eggs in the borers eggs and when the wasp larva hatch, they eat the unhatched borer eggs.  The wasps have been studied and have not been found to affect other, native borers in North America; they specifically seek out emerald ash borer eggs.  The wasps have been released in several northeastern states and have now been released in Colorado.

Oobius agrili parasitizing an emerald ash borer egg on an ash tree by Houping Liu, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Source Article: Colorado Hopes This Asian Wasp Can Save its Trees
Emerald Ash Borer Bugwood Wiki: Agrilus planipennis
Oobius agrili Images: Oobius agrili
Emerald Ash Borer Distribution Maps: Agrilus planipennis

More Articles:
The invasive emerald ash borer has killed millions of trees, but researchers hope a wasp can save some of the survivors

Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer

OOBIUS AGRILI (HYMENTOPTERA: ENCYRTIDAE), A SOLITARY EGG PARASITOID OF EMERALD ASH BORER FROM CHINA

Development of methods for the field evaluation of Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in North America, a newly introduced egg parasitoid of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Everyone on the lookout for spotted lanternfly in PA

Last year, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was discovered in Berks county, PA and quickly became the target of eradication efforts.  This year, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and has contributed over $1 million in funding in the Farm Bill for this pest issue.  After discovering the lanternfly, PDA designated the quarantine area and restricted the movement of potential host material to protect surrounding areas.  It especially important to restrict the movement of host material. as the lanternfly moves by walking, jumping, and flying short distances, so large movements are primarily a result of humans moving infested plant materials or objects with egg masses attached.

Not only are the government agencies involved in the effort, but local citizens are volunteering their time to set traps to identify the current range of the lanternfly.  Outreach programs are educating the public on what to look for and the rules/laws of the quarantine.

spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

Source Article: APHIS Partners with Pennsylvania to Fight the Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted Lanternfly Images- Lycorma delicatula

Experimental Biocontrol Agent Released for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

While the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) was introduced to the western U.S. in the 1920s, DNA evidence indicates that the population in the eastern U.S. came from eastern Asia.  The western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) are resistant to their population of adelgid due to the trees similarities to native asian hemlock, but the eastern (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina (Tsuga caroliniana) hemlocks are more susceptible and can be killed by the infestation.

hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) by Lorraine Graney, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bugwood.org

Researchers found flies native to the western U.S. which are attacking and eating the adelgid.  After ten years of research, the silver flies (Leucopis piniperda and L. argenticollis) were gathered from Washington and released on May 12 in Tennessee and on June 5 in New York under a permit from the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.  Most of the flies are confined to infested branches covered by bags, but there are open releases.  While the flies are unlikely to eradicate the adelgids, they may reduce the overall population.

Source Article: Flies released to attack hemlock-killing pest
Hemlock woolly adelgid images: Adelges tsugae Images
Hemlock woolly adelgid Wiki article: Adelges tsugae Wiki
Hemlock woolly adelgid map: Adelges tsugae map
Don't Move Firewood: Adelges tsugae

Island Invasive Species Eradication Database

Did you know that there is an interactive database of invasive species eradications on islands?  The Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications has compiled information worldwide for islands that have eradication programs for invasive species.  You can click on any of the marked islands and a details box will popup and show what the target species are, what stage the program is in (In progress, Successful, or Failed), and the last date of progress update.  Many of the islands off of the U. S. coast have eradicated ungulates (sheep, goats, deer, etc.), rabbits, dogs, cats, and rodents.  You can also search by a few different filters if you are interested in a certain species, place, or eradication status or method.

goat (Capra hircus) by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Check out the Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications

Cross-agency alliance to tackle invasive buffelgrass

Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is an invasive species found primarily in the southwest U. S., though it has been documented in several counties across the whole southeast.  The biggest concern with buffelgrass is that it can transform a shrub and scrub habitat into a grassland, crowding out all the native vegetation, and can rapidly deplete the soil of nutrients.  It is prized as a pasture grass in many areas due to the same reasons that make it a successful invasive; rapid establishment, high yield, high nutrient load, and adaptability to many weather conditions and environments.

Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) by Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org

The southwest has been trying to get their buffelgrass populations under control for many years and Saguaro National Park, the Coronado National Forest, and the Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Coordination Center were just awarded Resilient Landscape Program (RLP) funding from the Department of the Interior.  This funding will go towards buffelgrass control and habitat restoration in the Sonoran Desert region.  The major concern is that buffelgrass resprouts quickly from wildfire events, much more so than the native species.  By reducing the buffelgrass from the ecosystem, it will not only protect the natives, but also property and homes.

Source Article: Resilient Landscapes Program Funding to Help Combat Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Invasion
Buffelgrass Wiki: Pennisetum ciliare
Buffelgrass on EDDMapS: Pennisetum ciliare
Buffelgrass Images: Pennisetum ciliare

Dispersal of invasive species homogenizes biodiversity

As humans have rapidly mediated the spread of species all over the world, in a way that was not previously possible, this is reducing the biodiversity of invaded ecosystems.  Researchers evaluated the spread of 175 nonnative snails across 56 countries and subregions and evaluated the biodiversity of the invaded communities.  While previous studies compared the species richness of pre-invaded communities to the invaded communities, and found no significant trends, this study compared the invaded site's biodiversity to each other.  The results showed that the invaded communities with similar environments, regardless of geographic distance, contained many of the same species.  It is expected that nearby communities contain similar species, but it was surprising to find that communities separated by an ocean were also sharing similar species.  This study helps to show how invasive species are changing the biodiversity in specific ways across similar environments.

giant East African snail (Achatina fulica) by Yuri Yashin, achatina.ru, Bugwood.org

Source Article: Dispersal of alien species redefines biogeography

Would dinosaurs be invasive?

In the first Jurassic Park movie, long-extinct dinosaurs and plants were brought back to life and were "contained" in a zoo/park for amusement of tourists.  As with most species intentionally introduced by scientists, there were several worst-case scenario contingency plans... which all failed.  In fact, in all of the movies, someone has a plan to move the dinosaurs off of the island for one reason or another and no one seems to take into account that they may escape and become invasive species.

Species which are introduced into a new ecosystem have the potential to become invasive. Some of the qualities that define an invasive species are:

• non-native to the ecosystem in question
• no enemies or pests to keep the population in check
• successfully reproducing and surviving in new habitat
• competes with native species for food, space, water, etc.
• causes ecological, economical, or human health harm

Accidental introduction of larger animals into a new area is a little more rare and a population may have difficulty establishing.  They have to have a large enough starting population, are repeatedly introduced, or are naturally able to withstand any negative effects of inbreeding depression.  In the case of the dinosaurs seen in the movies, the likelihood of someone accidentally transporting a number of eggs, juveniles, or adults would be limited to the shipping containers and boats.  This kind of transmission of invasive animals is already an issue with the brown tree snake on Guam and some of the surrounding islands.  Every shipment is inspected to ensure that snake-free islands aren't accidentally infested when receiving goods from an infested island.  

brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) by Gordon Rodda, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org

In the original Jurassic Park, only one plant is mentioned to being brought back from extinction, but I doubt that it is the only one.  Scientists can tell from fossilized teeth what a particular dinosaur generally ate; carnivores have sharp serrated teeth for piercing and tearing flesh, herbivores have blunt teeth for stripping and grinding plants material, and omnivores have a mixture of teeth for tearing/piercing and grinding.  They can also evaluate fossilized digestive organs and coprolites for bones, plant pollen, and any other material that they may have eaten which survived digestion or were preserved before digestion could happen.  While some of the plant eating dinosaurs could potentially survive on living relatives of the plants that were around when they were still walking the Earth, they must have had to bring back some plants which are necessary to survival or to thrive. A dinosaur that is sickly because it is missing vital nutrients would likely draw activists rather than a paying crowd.  

Unlike the Jurassic Park franchise, moving invasive plants around is not limited to greedy employees, naive businessmen, misguided colleagues, or exploitative military officers.  Not only would there be the chance of employees intentionally or accidentally spreading plant propagules (seeds, roots, rhizomes, spores [ferns], etc.) off of the island, but anyone with a home garden may be tempted to snap off a plant tip to try to root it at home.  Problems already exist with potentially invasive plants moving all over the world, intentionally and accidentally.  There is much that we don't know about long-extinct plants, not only if they are a human/animal health concern, but also how they interact with the ecosystem that they were a part of and the ecosystems that they may be able to invade.  The U.S. and Europe already have to contend with giant hogweed, a nasty invasive plant from central Asia.

giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) by Terry English, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org

giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) by Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) by Thomas B. Denholm, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

Notice anything interesting about all of those images?  Everyone is wearing gloves to handle the plants.  The sap in the plant is phototoxic, meaning that if you come in contact with the sap and that area is exposed to light, you can suffer burns and blisters.  Other plants have allelopathic properties which inhibits other plant species from growing around them.  So, future extinct-plant-resurrecting scientists, for the sake of our ecosystems, keep it in the lab/greenhouse and away from the curious eyes of gardeners for now.

Topic inspiring article: Could the dinos of ‘Jurassic World’ become invasive?
Brown tree snake: Brown Tree Snake an Invasive Reptile
Giant hogweed wiki: Heracleum mantegazzianum

Invasive carp moving upstream in MN

Between May 26 and 31, five bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were caught by anglers in the St. Croix river, near Stillwater, MN.  They notified MN-DNR officials of the presence of the invasive fish, and they were able to catch more of the fish.  This pushes the known range northward seven miles, though they currently don't believe that the carp are breeding in the river.  Bighead carp are not native to the river and directly compete with native fish for plankton and can grow up to sixty pounds.

bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) by US Fish & Wildlife Service, Michigan Sea Grant, Bugwood.org

Source Article: Invasive carp caught farther upstream on St. Croix River
MN-DNR News Release: 5 bighead carp captured in St. Croix River near Stillwater

Walnut twig beetle, native and invasive in the U. S.

Walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) is believed to be native to the southwest but has spread to the eastern U. S., bringing thousand canker disease (fungus: Geosimithia morbia) with it.  Genetic testing reveals that there are two different geographic lineages but areas where the beetle is invasive, they have hybridized.  The two lineages may be considered as two separate species.

Walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) by Steven Valley, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

Thousand canker disease occurs where the beetle has infested walnut trees.  The fungus grows under the bark of the tree wherever the beetles enter, forming many small cankers which cut off the flow of nutrients throughout the tree.  Diseased tree may die in as little as three years.  The beetles and disease were first found in the eastern U. S. in 2010 and have attacked many walnut trees, causing damage to crops and urban forests.

Thousand canker disease (Geosimithia morbia) by Ned Tisserat, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Source article: Walnut twig beetle's origin, spread revealed in genetic studies
Walnut twig beetle images: Pityophthorus juglandis
Thousand canker disease images: Geosmithia morbida
Walnut twig beetle BugwoodWiki article: Pityophthorus juglandis

Boating season is upon us, do you know your state's boating rules?

With warm weather comes boats.  With new invasive species coming in and spreading from state-to-state, make sure to know your state's regulations and laws.

common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) caught on boat trailer by Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org

Here are some places to find out laws for your state.

America's Boating Course
Boat-Ed
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators


Examples of State Agency Websites

MN Dept. of Natural Resources
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Oregon State Marine Board
Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
New York Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Missouri State Highway Patrol - Water Patrol
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Colorado Parks & Wildlife (Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspections Guide)

Invasive monk parakeets come from one small region

Introduced species that are able to successfully establish and become invasive usually come from a very small sample of the native gene pool and so have little genetic variability.  By evaluating the genetic make-up of the introduced population and compare it to samples from the native population, researchers can sometimes define the origin of the introduced species.

monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) by Stephanie Sanchez, Bugwood.org

The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is from South America and is now found in North America, Europe, and Africa where it was sold as pets for many years.  Evaluation of the genetic information within mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites showed that all of the established invasive populations within Europe and North America are from the same haplotype (groups of DNA sequence variations).  This haplotype, called Monarch1, only occurs in two small populations in its native range, Entre Ríos, Argentina and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and it is uncommon even in its native population.  The low genetic diversity doesn't seem to be affecting the invasive populations success in any of the sampled locations.

Source Article: All invasive parakeets come from a small region in South America