Mothman Prophecy...not good

The leaf-rolling moth (Tortrix) spp., a biocontrol introduced to Australia to combat the invasive bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata), is not doing as well as was first hoped. According to this story in the Bega District News, this is mainly due to drought conditions in many regions where the bush has invaded. The lack of water makes the leaves tough and less nutritious, so that the moth larvae cannot thrive. To make matters worse, the drought conditions have led to decreases in numbers of all types of insects, so ants and spiders have been feasting on the introduced moth larvae. The article also has information about other bitou bush biocontrols (bonus points to the BDN for using scientific names).

Cats that aren't afraid of the water

A new non-native catfish has been discovered in the Myakka River in Florida, according to this article in the Venice Gondolier (Bonus points to the Venice Gondolier for using the scientific name!). Known as the armored or mailed cat (Hoplosternum littorale), this South American species was first noted in the river this past February. Researchers are watching the fish carefully, concerned about their impact on native fish and snails. This isn't the first time a strange catfish has shown up in the Myakka: the vermiculated sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) was spotted last year, though that tropical species is expected to have been harmed by a January cold snap.

Tune in Tomorrow (Tuesday)

Those of you in the U.S. might want to tune in to the House of Representatives Joint Oversight Hearing on The Growing Problem of Invasive Species. The Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans and the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands will be hearing from Jim Beers, and hopefully from people support invasive species legislation as well. You can actually listen to the hearing, live, starting at 1pm EST, by going to this page and clicking on the link to the Morris K. Udall Hearing Room (Real Audio or WIndows Media Player is required).

Thanks to a member of the ALIENS-L listserver for posting this information.

Note (4/29): You can see the entire list of speakers by clicking here.

Sold to the highest bidder

eBay as an invasive plant vector: A quick glance at today's auctions showed tons of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and some autumn olive (E. umbellata) as well (hope it doesn't end up in West Virginia). You can also find Salvinia species, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and at least two species of parrot's feather (Myriophyllum spp.). Granted, these plants are not going to be invasive everywhere they are introduced, and some sellers are very careful to note plants that are invasive. But while conscientious sellers avoid selling to states where species are illegal, many states that recognize they have a problem with certain invasive species don't currently back it up with legislation. While eBay doesn't police its auctions, if you see someone selling something prohibited, you can report it.

Point Counterpoint

Henry Lamb, VP of the cryptically-named Environmental Conservation Organization, has this to say about invasive species in today's WorldNetDaily. Lamb is upset, perhaps rightfully so, about the idea of the government trying to tell private land owners what to do about invasive species that are on their land. (If it were me, I'd be more worried that my neighbor's giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) or purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) was going to find a way into my yard.) Apparently, one of the ways the government and environmental organization are encroaching on our rights is by registering various invasive species internet domains. The ECO has responded by setting up this scary looking web site. Lamb is also a fan of Jim Beers, mentioned in a previous ISW blog entry.

Gardening Tips

The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association has taken a big step towards preventing future plant invasions by adopting the Amercan Nursery and Landscape Association's code of conduct (.pdf file), as reported by Lawn & Landscape. The PLNA will also be distributing a list of 25 invasive plants that should be avoided.

Peafowled

Living in New England, I can't even imagine what it would be like to see a bunch of large blue birds running through my yard, but that's exactly what's happening in some parts of California. According to this report from U.C. Davis, Blue Peacocks (Pavo cristatus) have escaped from captivity and are breeding in the wild. The peafowl, native to India, are sometimes kept as "ornamental pets" for their colorful plumage, but the reality is that they can be aggressive, mean-tempered creatures. While some homeowners don't mind the presence of the birds, in places like Rancho Palos Verdes the peafowl population expanded to the point where the city educated residents on how to trap the birds.

Algae Madness

No new sightings of Caulerpa taxifolia in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Carlsbad, California) since last summer, according to this article from the North County Times. The current management plan, where divers seek out and destroy patches of the invasive algae by covering it with a tarp and pumping chlorine underneath, seems to be working well. But then again, this "killer algae" can reproduce from tiny floating fragments that are extremely difficult to spot, and because of that, chances are it's not quite gone. Just to be safe, the consultants spearheading the management project want to extend it for another year. As part of a compromise, a portion of the lagoon may be reopened, but only for "passive," non-motorized boats.

Meanwhile, alarms are ringing on the opposite coast as Floridians cope with the invasion of C. taxifolia's lesser-known cousin, C. brachypus. According to this article from The Stuart News, the algae is threatening the Indian River Lagoon, having arrived there this March. You can read a previous blog entry about C. brachypus in Palm Beach County by clicking here.

Last day to enter ISW contest!

Tuesday is the last day you can submit entries to the Invasive Species Weblog "Birthday Blog Contest." Details can be found here.

Barbs from Barbados

There's an interesting "Letter to the Editor" in the April 9th Barbados Advocate. Written by the president of the Barbados Herpetological Society, the letter addresses the public to inform them about the illegal importation of several species, including the black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) and the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), and the threat they pose if released into the environment.

Those nasty plant alerts

According to this article from NEPA News, Maryland has issued a "nasty plant alert" for giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Though the species has not yet been spotted in that state, it has been seen in neighboring states. Maryland is taking a proactive stance by sending out the alert, warning people of the dangers of coming into contact with the plant's phototoxic sap (link to .pdf file), and holding workshops to teach people to identify it. Giant hogweed is on the Federal Noxious Weed List because of the danger it poses to humans, but it can also be an aggressive invasive plant in its own right.

You say crayfish, I say crawfish

The New Orleans Times-Picayune recently published this great article about species of crayfish native to America that are wreaking havoc abroad. The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), a staple of many folks' diets in Louisiana, are gobbling up native plants and animals in places like Italy and Spain. They have also been introduced to African countries, including Kenya, where a study was done showing a link between the crayfish and a reduction in snail-borne disease in humans. The article also discusses the impact of the introduction of several other crayfish species. (If your from NOLA, the previous sentences will make more sense if you replace "crayfish" with "crawfish." :-)

The road not taken...has fewer invasive plants

This press release from U.C. Davis describes the results of a study published this month in the journal Conservation Biology. Researchers studied a variety of different pathways through natural landscapes, from paved roads to 4-wheel-drive tracks. They found that the more "improved" the road was, the higher the density of non-native plants. Turns out some places really are better off if we just leave them alone.

Pining Away

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in the Florida Keys is going native. But before they do, they're taking precautions to make sure the public understands why they want to get rid of all those shade-giving Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia). According to this story from keysnews.com, park managers will hold a public information session to reassure park visitors that the revegetation project will be completed in a sound environmental way and still maintain important recreational features such as shelter and shade.

News to You

Science News is a great little journal for those of you that prefer your science on paper, but don't have time to deal with a thick and meaty Nature or Science. This week they've generously posted the full text of their article "Is your yard a menace to parks and wild lands?" It's a well-done, detailed examination of cultivated plants that can become invasive in natural areas, complete with a list at the end of some of the culprits.

Thanks to a member of the ALIENS-L listserver for posting a link to this article.

Oldie but Goody

This site hasn't even been updated in a while, but it deserves some attention, if only because of its cute name: Encycloweedia. Stop by to get a glimpse of California's noxious weed list, fact sheets, and a great photo gallery of your favorite invasive plants.

Birthday Blog (and Contest)!

The very first entry of the Invasive Species Weblog was April 13, 2002, making it one year old this week! To celebrate, I'm having a contest. Submit an entry to the blog and you could win a free item from the Invasive Species Weblog store! Entries should include a link to a current article or recently updated website that has information about invasive species, as well as a brief summary. All entries will be posted here, and the best entry will win the prize (limit 3 entries per person). Contest ends April 22 (Earth Day).

Insert Plug Here

An extremely interesting article about sexual reproduction in the invasive plant Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) appears in the latest issue of the American Journal of Botany. :-)

Biocontrol out of control

The New Scientist web site recently posted this story about the unintended effects of the introduction of the rosy wolf snail (Euglandina rosea) to the island of Tahiti as a biological control for the invasive African land snail (Achatina fulica). It seems the predatory Euglandina has developed a taste for Partula snails, and has now wiped out 56 of the 61 species in that genus that lived on the island.

Thanks to a member of the ALIENS-L listserver for posting a link to this article.

Stoats and Toads

According to this article from The Dominion, New Zealand has commissioned a group of inventors to produce 100,000 of their traps, after test proved that they were highly effective at capturing stoats (Mustela erminea). The stoats were introduced to New Zealand from Britain over a century ago, and are now the most common invasive predator mammal there, as well as a key threat to rare New Zealand bird species.

From Dave Barry's blog, of all places. Dave also posted a link to this article about cane toads (Bufo marinus) last week. Spread the word Dave!

But officer, I LOVE my camphor tree!

In a story that would make residents of Palm Beach County cringe, the peculiarly named Natal Witness is reporting that private landowners in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa are under siege by "plant police." The police are patrolling every inch of the town, in many cases demanding that certain invasive plants be removed from gardens. Citizens, who face fines or jail time if they flout the law, are coming up with various excuses for not removing the plants, including cost, sentiment, and even religion.

Wild on Canada

It's National Wildlife Week in Canada, April 6-12. The theme this year is "Native Species, Nature's Choice," and of course you can't say too much about native species without addressing invasive non-natives. Canadians can find activities in their area by clicking here (though I have to say it's a disappointingly short list). If you want to know more about what's invasive in Canada, be sure to visit the new Invasive Species of Canada online database.

Baby steps

For those of you who missed it (I sure did), the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act passed its first House subcommittee about a month ago, and has moved on to the House Science Committee. You can read the story, from the Kansas City Star, by clicking here.

Dead ant, dead ant.....

There was an imported red fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) conference in California this past week, and some attendees are sounding more optimistic than ever about eradicating the annoying invasive insects. According to this article in the Orange County Register, the county has gone from being heavily infested to having the ants restricted mostly to median strips and landscaped areas. No information in the article about how they did it, but apparently the region had some help from its dry climate and sage scrub habitat, both of which inhibit the ants' ability to colonize and reproduce. You can click here to see the entire conference agenda.

The little conference with the big, big name

You can now submit abstracts online for the IPINAMS-EMAPI7 Conference. That giant acronym stands for "Invasive Plants in Natural and Managed Systems/7th International Conference on the Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions" (whew!). The conference, held from November 3-7, 2003 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, will be an opportunity for anyone interested in invasive plants to hear great talks and meet a lot of great people. Abstracts for posters and oral presentations are due by May 15th.

Super NOVA

Airing tonight on PBS, and all through the month, is "Deep Sea Invasion." Brought to you by the folks from the science program NOVA, it's the story of the invasive marine algae Caulerpa taxifolia and its impact on the environment. If you're in the U.S., you can go here to find out when the program is airing in your area.

Thanks to a member of the ALIENS-L listserver for posting information about the program.