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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.

View related information:

  • 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.
  • Conference and Events
    To view more details for the "New Events" section (last 5 events added), and for all conferences and events.

Recent News

  • First Occurrence of Mile-a-Minute Weed Confirmed in Maine, Urgent Action Required

    • Aug 8, 2023
    • Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.

    • The Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has recently verified the first known occurrence of mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) in Maine. This fast-growing invasive vine, native to India, Asia, and the Philippine Islands, poses a significant threat to nurseries, Christmas tree farms, reforestation projects, and restoration areas, as it can smother young plants and trees under its dense growth.

      Invasive species like mile-a-minute weed have the potential to cause severe harm to Maine's environment and economy. As part of our commitment to controlling and eradicating this invasive plant, the DACF urges the public to report any potential sightings promptly. If you encounter a vine resembling mile-a-minute weed, please visit the Maine Natural Areas webpage for identification information. If the plant matches the description, we encourage you to take photos, note the location, and report the finding via email to Invasives.MNAP@maine.gov or call (207) 287-7545.

    • Post Date
      Sep 21, 2023
  • Burning Better

    • Sep 19, 2023
    • USDA. ARS. Tellus.

    • A new workshop unites practice with research on the beneficial effects of fire. As wildfires and toxic smoke pour across North America, millions of people are experiencing the harm that fire can cause. But fire can also be an ally in protecting natural landscapes when it is deployed in the right ways. That’s why ARS researchers recently led a workshop designed to meld the insights of science with the day-to-day operations of fire management, for professionals who use the practice known as prescribed burning (cultural control).
      See related: Control Mechanisms

    • Post Date
      Sep 19, 2023
  • Invasive Red Fire Ants Found in Europe for the First Time

    • Sep 11, 2023
    • Natural History Museum (United Kingdom).

    • An invasive species of ant has been discovered in Europe for the first time. Nearly 90 nests of the red imported fire ant, or Solenopsis invicta, were found near the city of Syracuse, Italy, according to a new report published in the journal Current Biology. While the ants have occasionally been found in imported products in Europe, this is the first time they have become established in the wild.

    • Post Date
      Sep 19, 2023
  • National Public Lands Day

    • National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).

    • The 30th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is on September 23, 2023! National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. This designated day is traditionally the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort and is focused on resilience and restoration. Volunteers can plant trees and native vegetation, build and refurbish trails, remove trash and invasive plants, repair bridges, restore historic structures, monitor endangered species, and restore habitats. Volunteer and find a NPLD event near you. See also:

    • Post Date
      Sep 18, 2023
  • How Does Climate Change Affect the Challenge of Invasive Species?

    • DOI. United States Geological Survey.

    • Changing climate conditions have bearing on every aspect of biological invasions, in some cases worsening existing problems. Climate change is creating new pathways for invasive species to be introduced, such as shipping routes that open up as sea ice retreats. Warmer temperatures can allow existing invasive species to expand their range into habitat that is currently too cool. Similarly, impacts to native species and people may change if new conditions affect invasive species abundance. Climate change may make existing invasive species control tools less effective, such as aquatic barriers that require minimum water flows.

    • Post Date
      Sep 16, 2023
  • YouTube - Check Your Boxwoods for the Box Tree Moth!

    • Aug 28, 2023
    • Google. YouTube; USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    • Is something attacking your boxwoods? Don’t wait! Check your boxwood plants for signs of the invasive box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) before it's too late. A box tree moth infestation is lethal to boxwood plants. Watch the video to learn more about what to look for and how to save your boxwood plant.

    • Post Date
      Sep 16, 2023
  • Yellow-Legged Hornet

    • USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    • The yellow-legged hornet was first detected in the U.S. when a beekeeper close to Savannah, GA, found an unusual hornet on his property and reported it to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). On August 9, 2023, APHIS confirmed the University of Georgia’s identification of this insect as a yellow-legged hornet. Learn more about yellow-legged hornet lookalikes and how to report potential sightings of this new species.

    • Post Date
      Sep 13, 2023
  • Two More Invasives to Look for in Michigan

    • Aug 22, 2023
    • Michigan.gov. Michigan Invasive Species Program.

    • Michigan’s invasive species watch list was recently updated to include two new species and remove another. Mountain pine beetle, a deadly threat to pine trees, and water-primrose, a fast-spreading aquatic plant, have been added to the watch list due to threats they pose to native ecosystems and industry. European frog-bit, originally listed in 2011, has been moved off the list of species of immediate concern and is now considered established in the state.

    • Post Date
      Sep 08, 2023
  • eDNA Research Continues Expanding

  • Protect Your Cattle from Asian Longhorned Ticks and Theileriosis

    • Jun 26, 2023
    • Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

    • The Asian Longhorned tick (ALT), which was first discovered in the United States in 2017 has now be found in 19 states including Virginia. Currently, there are 38 Virginia counties with established ALT populations. As ALT populations have increased, a concern for the health of livestock in affected areas has increased as well. ALT is a vector for the parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda which can cause theileriosis in livestock, including cattle.

    • Post Date
      Aug 20, 2023