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Invasive Species - What's New on NISIC's Site

See What's New on the NISIC's Web site. Includes items of interest that have been added to our site, in order of most recent post date.

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  • Resource Search - What's New
    Resources can be filtered by Subject, Resource Type, Location, or Source. If you wish to search for species-related resources and use refinements, enter the species name first before selecting the terms.
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    To view more details for the "New Events" section (last 5 events added), and for all conferences and events.

Recent News

  • The Silent Invasion: Nonnative Trees Threaten American Forests

    • Jan 23, 2024
    • USDA. FS. Southern Research Station. CompassLive.

    • Nonnative tree species are gaining a foothold in forest ecosystems. These trees compete with native species for resources, sunlight, and space. Tree of heaven and Chinese tallow tree are the most invasive tree species in the South, according to a recent study which uses Forest Inventory & Analysis data to create an indicator of nonnative tree regeneration success and can help prioritize the species and locations for treatment. 

    • Post Date
      Jan 26, 2024
  • Spotted Lanternfly Reveals a Potential Weakness

    • Jan 19, 2024
    • USDA. Blog.

    • USDA scientists have discovered that the spotted lanternfly, an invasive threat to fruit crops and many trees, may have an Achilles heel – an attraction to vibration. A native of China, the insect was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 13 other states. Though beautiful as an adult, the insect is a voracious eater that feeds on woody and ornamental trees as well as a wide variety of crops and plants. Left unchecked, Pennsylvania alone could lose hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.

      Richard Mankin, an entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, FL, and colleagues found a new way to potentially corral and control the pests. Their research was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.

    • Post Date
      Jan 23, 2024
  • Spotted Lanternfly Now Confirmed in Kentucky

  • Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management Challenge: Out of Control? The Effects of Climate Change on Biological Control Agents and their Target Hosts

    • 2023
    • University of Massachusetts Amherst.

    • Biocontrol is an important management tool that utilizes one species (a biocontrol agent) to control another (a target host) and can be an effective approach for controlling populations of invasive species across broad spatial scales. There are growing concerns that mismatches between how biocontrol agents and their hosts respond to climate change could alter the efficacy of current and future biocontrol programs.
      See also: Environmental Conversation Education Materials for additional educational materials (2011 to present)

    • Post Date
      Dec 28, 2023
  • Southeast (SE) Bat Hub

    • North American Bat Monitoring Program.

    • The Southeast (SE) Bat Hub was created in summer 2022 to coordinate North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABAT) survey projects in the Southeastern states. The Hub provides services, updates, and content to assist the NABat efforts across the region.

      Since 2006, white-nose syndrome (a fungal disease) has been infecting bat populations across the U.S. This disease has killed some species of bats, such as the tricolored bat and northern long-eared bats at alarming rates.
      See also: The Southeast Bat Hub Coordinates NABat Monitoring Efforts in the Southeast (U.S. Forest Service, CompassLive - Dec 12, 2023)

    • Post Date
      Dec 27, 2023
  • Invasive Blue Land Crabs Reported Along South Atlantic Coast: Coastal Georgia Residents Encouraged to Be Watchful

    • Dec 20, 2023
    • Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

    • Recent sightings of a large, non-native land crab along the South Atlantic coast, including in coastal Georgia, are a cause for concern, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Blue land crabs are native from Brazil to south Florida and can be as large as 5-6 inches. Sightings recently have been reported well north of the crabs’ native range, including the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Multiple reports have been made to Georgia WRD offices.

      The public is encouraged to take photos and report sightings of blue land crabs at GeorgiaWildlife.com/ANS. Questions about blue land crabs? Contact a local Georgia WRD office (details at GeorgiaWildlife.com/about/contact#fish).

    • Post Date
      Dec 26, 2023
  • Management Plan for the European Green Crab (Draft)

    • Jun 21, 2023
    • Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.

    • The National European Green Crab (EGC) Management and Control Plan was developed by a multi-agency European Green Crab Working Group for implementation by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force following final approval.

      The purpose of the 2023 EGC plan is to provide guidance for efforts to prevent future introductions, to rapidly detect and respond to new invasions of EGC before they become established and create ecological and economic damage, and to manage current populations that pose an undue threat to resources of importance for ecosystems and local cultures. The 2023 EGC plan proposes to update the 2002 plan by providing a more focused set of approaches for future management, based on significant changes in the distribution of EGC, new technologies available for identifying sources and mechanisms of spread, better information regarding the tradeoffs for different management efforts, and new methods for data management and sharing. The 2023 EGC plan also describes current strategies for coordinating the activities of scientists, resource agencies, Tribal and First Nation organizations, and other entities.

      Public Comment Period -- Written comments must be submitted on or before February 9, 2024. For more information, see the Federal Register notice Draft Revised National European Green Crab Management and Control Plan (Dec 26, 2023)

    • Post Date
      Dec 26, 2023
  • Invasive Pests in the Winter Months

    • Dec 19, 2023
    • Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project. Outreach Blog.

    • Most invasive insects are hidden away for the winter, but you still might encounter them when you split wood, move outdoor furniture indoors, or admire evergreen plants while on a hike.  Learn more about invasive pests you may come across and how to report them.

    • Post Date
      Dec 20, 2023
  • Don't Move Firewood - Holiday Greenery

    • Nature Conservancy.

    • Christmas trees, wreaths & decorations may contain forest pests. Cut locally, buy locally, or order online from a reputable business. Not sure what to do with your Christmas tree and greenery after the holidays? Learn the Dos and Don'ts of Christmas tree disposal to avoid spreading invasive species.

    • Post Date
      Dec 20, 2023
  • USDA Forest Service Announces Nearly $19M to Fight Invasive Species Threatening Nation’s Forests -- $1M Going to Projects in Northern Research Station

    • Sep 7, 2023
    • USDA. FS. Northern Research Station.

    • USDA Forest Service is making a nearly $19 million strategic investment to address invasive species threatening forests across the country. Funding for over 60 projects was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

      These investments were awarded to public and private organizations, tribes, states, and local landowners and Forest Service research stations to respond to the spread of damaging invasive species, which includes wood boring insects, exotic fungi, non-native plant species, and other potential pests and pathogens. The funds will support activities focused on invasive species detection, prevention, eradication, and research.

    • Post Date
      Dec 18, 2023