Invasive Species Coming to America. By Land, Sea, and Air..

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1 Invasive Species Coming to America. By Land, Sea, and Air.. Randy Westbrooks, Ph.D. Invasive Species Prevention Specialist U.S. Geological Survey, Whiteville, North Carolina USA Betsy Brabson South Carolina Coordinator Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Georgetown, South Carolina USA Over the past 500 years, more than 50,000 species and varieties of plants and animals have been introduced to North America. A small percentage of these introductions have escaped cultivation and established free living populations in the United States. It is estimated that costs of exotic invasive species to the American economy are now over $138 billion per year, and of this total, invasive plants account for over $50 billion per year. Unlike chemical pollutants, that can be eliminated from use and will eventually break down in the environment, invasive species, which are biological pollutants, can reproduce and spread, causing ever increasing problems unless they are prevented, or at a minimum, controlled. Image: Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), an introduced woody vine from Korea at DeBordieu Colony Beach, South Carolina, USA. Source: Invasive Species that first became established at U.S. Ports of Entry. Over the past 80 years, a number of introduced invasive species have become established around U.S. ports of entry. Here are five examples only one of which was eradicated through swift action. This illustrates the need for nationally coordinated survey and monitoring programs at international ports of entry. 1

2 Red Imported Fire Ant Port of Mobile, Alabama ~1930. The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta), which is native to South America, was first introduced into the U.S. as a hitchhiker on cargo in the Port of Mobile, Alabama, in about After being identified as a new species, it was not initially considered to be much of a threat to the Southeast since it had originated in a tropical region. However, fire ants now infest over 260 million acres of land from Texas and Oklahoma to North Carolina, and cause a tremendous amount of economic and ecological damage (e.g., pasture production, ground nesting birds) - not to mention human suffering. I Image Sources: URL: URL: URL: Other Internet Resources: URL: URL: 2

3 Zebra Mussel Ballast Water Lake St. Clair, Michigan Zebra Mussel on Native Clam Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a freshwater bivalve from Eastern Europe that was introduced into the Great Lakes via ballast water from cargo ships in Zebra mussel is best known for its ability to colonize and restrict water intakes of hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, public water supply plants, and industrial facilities. As a filter feeder, Zebra Mussel is quite effective in removing zooplankton and other suspended particles from the water column. While water purity and clarity is very desirable in many ways, the removal of a large percentage of zooplankton from the water can have a devastating effect on the rest of the aquatic food chain. Zebra mussel will colonize, and completely cover any submerged structure (e.g., native clams, piers, boat hulls, even shopping carts). As a result of the problems caused by Zebra Mussel and other introduced aquatic invaders, the U.S. Coast Guard now has rules that require ships to exchange their ballast water in mid-ocean before coming into the Great Lakes Region. In the absence of over arching federal rules that apply to all states, a patchwork of state ballast water rules is starting to emerge in coastal and Great Lakes states such as California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Even with such state and federal rules in place, there is an ongoing need to survey waterways around ports of entry, in order to detect and quickly respond to aquatic nuisance species that are accidentally introduced by ocean-going freighters. Image Sources: URL: URL: URL: Most Current U.S. Zebra Mussel Sightings Map Updated Daily: URL: ebramusseldistribution.asp Other Zebra Mussel Internet Resources: URL: URL: URL: 3

4 Asian Gypsy Moth Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal, Southport, North Carolina July, The Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a pest from Europe and Asia that defoliates hardwood trees. The European strain of Gypsy Moth, which was first introduced into Massachusetts in 1869 for the silk industry, has caused serious economic losses in timber production in the northeastern U.S. In July, 1993, when the hatches of a military transport ship from Germany were opened at the Sunnypoint Military Ocean Terminal, in Southport, North Carolina, the cargo was found to be infested with Asian Gypsy Moth, a close relative of the European strain. Asian Gypsy Moth Fortunately, in this case, quick action by state and federal officials eradicated the released moths and prevented a full blown invasion of Asian Gypsy Moth in southeastern North Carolina. Image Sources: URL: URL: URL: URL: Other Internet Resources: URL: URL: 4

5 Rasberry Crazy Ant Port of Houston, Texas The Rasberry Crazy Ant (Paratrechina sp. nr. pubens) (RCA), a new exotic ant species that was first noticed outside the Port of Houston, Texas, in 2002, is starting to spread with human assistance. The ant, which has not yet been positively identified, appears to be related to the Caribbean Crazy Ant (Paratrechina pubens). It is commonly referred to as the Rasberry crazy ant, after Tom Rasberry, the pest control exterminator who first called attention to it. Unlike Red Imported Fire Ants which have stingers, the RCA is a biting insect, and thus is a threat to people, livestock, and ground nesting birds. However, this particular ant is also attracted to electrical equipment where its large numbers cause short circuiting and clogging of switching mechanisms. Rasberry Crazy Ant RCA in Electrical Equipment. RCA in a Trash Can. Image Sources: URL: Internet Resources: URL: URL: URL: URL: 5

6 Laurel Wilt Disease Port of Savannah, Georgia In 2002, Red Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), which is native to India, Japan, and Taiwan, was captured in a monitoring trap near a warehouse in Port Wentworth, which is near the Port of Savannah, Georgia. In 2003, native Red bay trees (Persea borbonia), on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, started dying. In , it was determined that the trees were being killed by a previously unknown fungus wilt (Ophiostoma sp.) that is being spread by the new beetle. The fungus, which serves as a food source for the beetle, is spread from tree to tree by the beetle. The disease is spreading throughout the South at a natural rate of about 20 miles per year. While Red bays are of limited commercial value (they are used on a limited basis for cabinetry), they are important from an ecological perspective. Red bays are host plants for three butterflies: the Palamedes Swallowtail, the Schaus Swallowtail, and spicebush swallowtails. The Palamedes Swallowtail is at serious risk due to the invasion of Laurel Wilt. This particular butterfly lays its eggs on Red bay leaves and the emerging caterpillars eat the leaves. The disease has also been discovered on individual plants of the federally endangered southern spice bush (Lindera melissifolia), the threatened pondspice (Litsea aestivalis), sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and avocado (Persea americana). Infected Red bays on Hunting Island, S.C. November, 2005 December, Red Ambrosia Beetle. Note: There are currently no effective control methods for Laurel Wilt Disease or the Red Ambrosia Beetle. Vascular staining caused by Laurel Wilt. 6

7 Image Sources: URL: _revised.pdf URL: URL: URL: Other Internet Resources: URL: URL: URL: URL: 7

8 Examples of Widespread Invasive Species in America. Due to increased global trade and travel, and mild climate in many regions of the continent, a number of introduced plants and animals have become problems in North America over the past 200 years. Familiar examples include: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in most U.S. States. GISD Profile of Purple Loosestrife: U.S. Distribution Map: Mile-a-minute Vine (Polygonum perfoliatum) and Northern Snakehead Fish (Channa argus) in the Northeast; GISD Profile of Mile-a-minute Vine: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Northern Snakehead Fish: U.S. Distribution Map: Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar), Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), and Nutria (Coypus myocaster) in the Eastern States; GISD Profile of Gypsy Moth: U.S Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Chestnut Blight: Chestnut Blight U.S. Distribution: Wikipedia Profile of Nutria: Nutria U.S. Distribution Map: Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in southern and western states; GISD Profile of Hydrilla: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Water Hyacinth: U.S. Distribution Map: 8

9 Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), Kudzu (Pueraria montana), and Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) in the Southeast; GISD Profile of Cogongrass: More Information about Cogongrass in the U.S.: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Kudzu: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Red Imported Fire Ant: U.S. Distribution Map: Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) in Florida; GISD Profile of Melaleuca: U.S. Distribution Map: Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Great Lakes Region and the Midwest; GISD Profile of Zebra Mussel: U.S. Distribution Map: Salt Cedar (Taraxacum ramocissima) in the West. GISD Profile of Salt Cedar: U.S. Distribution Map: 9

10 New Invaders being addressed through Federal and State Plant Regulatory Programs. Examples of new invaders that are being addressed through federal and state plant regulatory programs include Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) in Illinois and New York, Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the Great Lakes Region and the Mid-Atlantic States, and Witchweed (Striga asiatica) in the Carolinas. GISD Profile of Asian Longhorned Beetle: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Emerald Ash Borer: U.S. Distribution Map: GISD Profile of Witchweed: U.S. Distribution Map: New Invaders being addressed through Interagency Task Forces. New invaders that are being addressed through interagency task forces include Wavyleaf Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) in Maryland and Virginia, Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) in North Carolina. Giant Salvinia has been eradicated from all but one small infestation in the River Bend Swamp Community of Pender County, in southeastern North Carolina. Information about Wavyleaf Basketgrass in Maryland, USA: U.S. Distribution: GISD Profile of Beach Vitex: Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force Website: U.S. Distribution: Distribution Along the Carolina Coast: GISD Giant Salvinia Profile: U.S. Distribution: 10

11 Development of a U.S. National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants. In response to new invaders such as Beach Vitex which threaten our natural and managed resources, a National Early Detection and Rapid Response System (EDRR) for Invasive Plants is being developed in the United States. Conceptually, the system is a coordinated framework of interagency partner groups that is being organized through cooperating State EDRR Committees to prevent the establishment and spread of new invasive plants through: - early detection and reporting of suspected new invaders (trained volunteers, agency field personnel, and scientists), - identification and vouchering of specimens (cooperating botanists), - archival of confirmed new plant records (regional and national plant databases), - rapid assessment of new species (federal and state scientists), and, - rapid response to new invaders (by Cooperative Weed Management Areas and Invasive Plant Task Forces. Once implemented nationwide, the system will provide an important second line of defense against invasive plants. This will complement federal efforts to prevent further introductions of invasive species at U.S. ports of entry (Westbrooks et al., 2008). Westbrooks, R., L. Mehrhoff, and J. Madsen Invasive Plants Coming to America. Overview of the National Early Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants. Fact Sheet. URL: %20Fact%20Sheet%20-% pdf 11