Escargot Go Go!

File this under "Dinner run amok": What was once a gourmet meal is now invading every nook and cranny of Brazil, according to this report from National Geographic News. Giant African snails (Achatina fulica) were introduced to Brazil in a failed attempt to find a cheaper alternative for the garden snails typically used as escargot. Scientists have already declared eradication impossible, and concerned that the African snails could be spreading parasites to native mollusks, are calling for some kind of control program. The introduction appears to be tied to a marketing effort that occurred during the late 1980s, meaning that the snails went from rare to invasive in less than two decades.

Espécies invasoras

The population of the United States skews strongly Americentric (and by Americentric I mean "North America where the U.S. is and occasionally something along the borders with Canada or Mexico"). While those of you in the U.S. might not hear much world news on your local 11pm TV news, you can rest assured that the ISW is constantly scouring the internet to provide you with a global education about invasive species.

With that in mind, check out this article from the Environment News Service, about invasive species in Brazil. It talks about several problem invasives in that country and briefly mentions the work of the Horus Institute. The ISW first posted about the Horus Institute back in January - it's nice to see it finally getting more international press coverage. And if Portuguese and Spanish are more your style than boring old English, check out this page of multinational invasive species resources, including a tri-lingual thesaurus.

Around the World in 7 Days: South America

Here in the U.S. we don't hear enough about invasive species problems in other parts of the world, especially in South America. So your homework for today is to check out the website of the Horus Institute ("Instituto Hórus"), a group dedicated to studying biological invasions in Brazil. There's a lot of content here: photos, reports, scientific papers - take your pick. There will be a pop quiz on Monday :-)

It's heeeeeeeeeeeerrre!

Back in August of 2003, the ISW posted a story about U.S. concern about the spread of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi, P. meibomiae) in Brazil. Now comes news from the USDA that the fungus was discovered last week at a Louisiana State University research farm. A USDA soybean rust detection assessment team is on the scene to, well, assess the situation. Bonus points to the USDA for using the rust's scientific name in the press release.

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

When the lovegrass smiles at me I run from Rio...

Lovegrass (Eragrostis plana) has invaded Brazil, according to this story published by the IPS. Originally introduced in forage crop seed imported from Africa, lovegrass (also known as Capim Annoni) has taken over large swaths of land all over the country. At least part of its success it due to the plant's ability to produce massive amounts of seed, and to discourage competition through allelopathy.

Soylent Rust

Soybean farmers in the U.S. are warily eyeing reports of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) from South America, according to this report from the Iowa Farm Bureau. The disease, caused by a fungus, has decimated crops in Brazil, and is expected to arrive in the continental U.S. within the next seven years. Soybean rust is expensive to control, and is enough of a threat to have attracted the attention of the USDA, the United Soybean Board, and the Department of Homeland Security, which has granted $1 million to study this "potential terrorism threat."