Invasive Boa Constrictor Thriving on Puerto Rico (Nov 29, 2012)
Department of Interior.
Non-native boa constrictors, which can exceed 10 feet and 75 pounds, have established a breeding population in Puerto Rico, one that appears to be spreading, according to recent research. This research is the first to document a large constrictor species established in the U.S. or its territories outside of Florida. The established boa constrictor population likely originated with the pet trade.

Japan Tsunami Marine Debris
DOC. NOAA. National Ocean Service. Marine Debris Program.
On Mar 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. As a result of the disaster, NOAA expects a portion of the debris that the tsunami washed into the ocean to reach U.S. and Canadian shores over the next several years. NOAA is leading efforts with federal, state, and local partners to collect data, assess the debris, and reduce possible impacts to our natural resources and coastal communities. Also see Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris from the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

Jamaica and the United States Team Up to Keep Out Invasive Pests (Nov 26, 2012)
USDA. Blog.
The "Don't Pack a Pest" campaign went international last month as Jamaica enthusiastically kicked off its own version of the outreach initiative in Montego Bay and Kingston. The Florida-based program warns the public about the risks of bringing undeclared agricultural products -- and hitchhiking invasive pests -- from one country to another.

Baiting Mosquitoes with Knowledge and Proven Insecticides (Nov 13, 2012)
USDA. Agricultural Research Service.
While one team of USDA scientists is testing the effectiveness of pesticides against mosquitoes, another group is learning how repellents work. An ARS entomologist has found that five different classes of insecticides can be mixed with a sugar bait to attract and kill mosquitoes species that transmit pathogens such as West Nile virus and arboviruses.

Coffee Production in Hot Water - The Impacts of Climate Change on the Future of Coffee Crops (Nov 13, 2012)
CABI. Plantwise.
The productivity of Arabica coffee and the distribution of many coffee pests and diseases are strongly linked to climate and seasonality. A series of recent studies have forecast the predicted effects of climate change on both the present and future distribution of Arabica coffee and the effects of climate change on the distribution and lifecycle of the world's worst coffee pest, the Coffee Berry Borer.

USDA Seeks Suggestions for Projects Funded by Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill (Nov 9, 2012)
USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.
APHIS is accepting suggestions to implement Section 10201 ("Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention") of the 2008 Farm Bill for fiscal year 2013. Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make available Commodity Credit Corporation funds for early plant pest detection and surveillance, threat identification and mitigation of plant pests and diseases, and technical assistance in the development and implementation of audit-based certification systems and nursery plant pest risk management systems. APHIS will accept suggestions for FY 2013 projects from Nov 12 - Dec 12, 2012 11:59 pm EST (extended from Dec 7 and Dec 10). Webinar help sessions are available during the open period.