Discovery of Africa Moth Species Important for Agriculture, Controlling Invasive Plants (Dec 20, 2012)
University of Florida.
Because it is a fairly inaccessible region with political unrest, much of the Congo’s insect biodiversity remains largely undiscovered. Focusing on a group of leaf-mining moths, researchers name 41 new species, nearly doubling the number previously known from the region. Leaf miners occur worldwide and the biodiversity research is important because some species are agricultural pests, while others help control unwanted invasive plant species.

Density of Invasive Reed, Phragmites Australis, Mapped in Great Lakes (Dec 17, 2012)
Science Daily; Michigan Technological University.
Phragmites australis, an invasive species of plant called common reed, grows rapidly into dense stands of tall plants that pose an extreme threat to Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Early treatment is the key to controlling Phragmites. Scientists have mapped the U.S. coastline of all five Great Lakes using satellite technologies. The Phragmites map is the first of its kind. It is "a highly accurate data set that will allow national, regional and local managers to visualize the extent of Phragmites invasion in the Great Lakes and strategically plan efforts to manage existing populations and minimize new colonization."

The Invasive Species Biologist's Version of "The Night Before Christmas" by Les Mehrhoff (PDF | 460 KB)
Invasive Plant Control.
A twist of the original poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', with the perspective of an invasive species biologist. Also see the "Twelve Days of Aquatic Invasive Species Christmas" (Dec 19, 2012) from Tim Campbell with the Wisconsin Sea Grant working with Aquatic Invasive Species.

Military Benefits from Insecticide Spray Equipment Testing (Dec 10, 2012)
USDA. Agricultural Research Service.
When it comes to selecting spray equipment to combat harmful insects that threaten the health of deployed soldiers, military personnel can turn to USDA scientists to find out which devices work best.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Announces 2013 Python Challenge™ (Dec 5, 2012)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the 2013 Python Challenge™ with its goal of increasing public awareness about Burmese pythons and how this invasive species is a threat to the Everglades ecosystem, including native wildlife. As part of the Python Challenge™, both the public and Florida's python permit holders are invited to compete to see who can harvest the longest and the most Burmese pythons.

Invasive Grass Fuels increased Fire Activity in the West (Dec 5, 2012)
Pennsylvania State University.
An invasive grass species, cheatgrass, may be one reason fires are bigger and more frequent in certain regions of the western U.S., according to a team of researchers. In addition to targeting the influence of cheatgass on major fires, the researchers, who reported their findings in the online version of Global Change Biology, also found that the plant may play a role in increasing the frequency of fires.