Louisiana

Louisiana is home to some of the most destructive invasive species found in the United States. The LSU AgCenter has long worked to monitor and manage these non-native insects, weeds and wildlife. To better understand and control invasive species, the LSU AgCenter is developing a Center of Research Excellence for the Study of Invasive Species. The Louisiana Board of Regents approved the creation of the center on Sept. 20.

The Mississippi River Delta is home to the world’s largest contiguous swath of Phragmites australis, or more commonly known as the common reed. But the plant that can grow to nearly 20 ft. and has been a critical component in stabilizing the state’s coastal erosion is not actually native to Louisiana—well, not entirely. There are multiple P. australis genotypes. P. australis subspecies (ssp.) americanus is the native subspecies in the U.S. and Canada. However, Phragmites australis ssp. australis originated in central Europe and was subsequently introduced to the U.S. where it is now considered to be one of the most problematic invasive species in North America. In a newly published study in Molecular Ecology and recently featured in an edition of The Scientist, LSU researchers collaborated with Tulane University and the U.S. Geological Survey to study the genomic bases of P. australis and to investigate what exactly makes the invasive reed grass subspecies thrive in wetlands, in comparison to its native counterpart.

In May 2010 the last boll weevil was trapped in the state and in March 2012 the boll weevil was declared eradicated from the state of Louisiana. The Eradication Program is now at a maintenance level, funded through grower maintenance inspection fees. Traps are placed and monitored according to an approved trapping protocol. Cotton producers have seen increases in yields along with a reduction in the cost of insect control.

The emerald ash borer, a severe insect pest of ash trees, was confirmed in Webster Parish in February 2015, making Louisiana the 25th state to confirm the presence of this beetle. In 2014, the LDAF started a "Don’t Move Firewood" campaign which is geared toward educating people about the risks of transporting pests to other locations where some can do harm. It is best to purchase firewood not more than 10 miles from where it will be burned.