Tex Messaging

Texas Parks and Wildlife is reporting that a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) was found in Lake Texoma earlier this April. Lake Texoma has already had four documented near misses, where boats with zebra mussels were prevented from entering the water. The state is asking everyone to keep an eye out for the invasive bivalves and to report any sightings to 1-800-792-4263 (or in Oklahoma call 1-405-521-3721).

P.S. - If you had subscribed to the ISW Twitter feed, you would have found out about zebra mussels in TX hours and hours ago.

Rocky Mountain Hi!

Dr. Sharlene Sing sent in this unique summer job opportunity for students with a penchant for destroying invasive species and hiking the wilds of the Western US:

The USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station – Weed Biocontrol Team seeks biological science technicians to support our ongoing field, lab, garden and greenhouse research projects. These positions are available only to students currently enrolled in a college/university degree program who are U.S. citizens. This work is physically demanding and frequently involves working long hours, driving to remote field sites, hiking and working in rough terrain, and exposure to extremes of weather. Lodging and per diem costs will be covered when occasional overnight travel is required. Housing while at the duty station (Bozeman) is not provided. Applicants should have a valid driver’s license, and an interest or prior work experience in weed/vegetation/range/wildlife management, biology, ecology, botany, entomology, horticulture, or related area. Salary is commensurate with training and experience (GS-03 = $11.74/hr, GS-04 = $13.18/hr, GS-5 = $14.74/hr). Please contact Dr. Sharlene Sing, ssing AT fs.fed.us for further information about these positions.

To apply, submit: 1) a transcript (=screen capture image of transcript), 2) a resume (=year, date-to-date employed, where you worked, what you did, hours worked/week), 3) a confirmation letter from your university that you are eligible and/or enrolled for the Fall 2009 term, and 4) the names and phone numbers of three references to Donna Marchwick (dmarchwick AT fs.fed.us) Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 1648 S. 7th Avenue, Bozeman MT 59717-2780 (phone: 406-994-4852; fax: 406-994-5916).

Happy 7th Bloggiversary!

Today is the 7th Bloggiversary of the ISW. You might have noticed there is not as much blogging going around here compared to last year - that's because I've been pretty busy with more official, Massachusetts-centric blogging duties over at the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Blog, as well as the maintenance of the MIPOP website and the Massachusetts Asian longhorned beetle Cooperative Eradication Program website. The ISW is not going anywhere, but the daily posting frequency has evolved to more of a weekly thing. To stay abreast of breaking invasive species news stories as they happen, consider subscribing to the ISW Twitter feed.

Chicago XIV

Chicago has started off its spring planting season with a list...of things *not* to plant. As reported in Medill Reports, the Chicago Department of Environment has banned the import, sale, or possession of fourteen new plant species, including several common ornamentals such as princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) and chocolate vine (Akebia quinata). Both businesses and private growers could be subject to fines if caught with the offending plants. To read the entire city regulation, including the original list of invasive plants and animals, click here.

Chesapeake Bay Goes Native

After five years of research and deliberation, officials in Maryland and Virginia have decided against plans to replenish the Chesapeake Bay's oyster bed by reseeding it with Asian oysters (Crassostrea ariakensis). Instead, looks like they will be focusing their efforts on the native C. virginiensis. This article in The Baltimore Sun indicates that there is still a chance of some limited testing with the Asian oysters in the future.

Anty Herbal

Interesting note over at Ketzel Uprooted about an herbal treatment for aches and pains that is supposedly an excellent repellent for red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). According to Ketzel, a blurb in the latest issue of Hortideas says that Feng Yu Jing, a blend of camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate and other ingredients, somehow staves off the nasty little insects. No info on the how and why, unfortunately.