Latest news with #invasiveSpecies
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
WisDOT shares the importance of burn management
(WFRV) – According to experts with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, prescribed burns and burn management play an essential role in the well-being of native plants in the state. In a release shared by WisDOT on social media, burn management is said to be a cost-effective and efficient way to manage plants while also preventing the spread of invasive species. Packers to participate in separate joint training camp practice sessions with Colts and Seahawks Just this past spring, officials say crews completed a controlled burn in Dane County at the World Dairy Wetland Site near I-39/90. Two months following the controlled burn, native plants were seen growing in abundance. The following are said to be benefits of controlled burns: Stimulates the growth of native plants Improves habitat Helps prevent invasive species Releases nutrients into the soil For more information about prescribed burns and their benefits, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ABC News
19 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Invasive beetle puts Australian trees at risk
For the last four years, an invasive beetle has been spreading across Perth, infecting more than 4,000 trees so far. It's known as the polyphagous shot-hole borer and can kill a tree in just two years. Now there's widespread concern from environmental groups that the pest could reach other states, after authorities admitted an eradication plan has failed.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Science
- Fox News
Invasive pests could stage dramatic comeback this summer, experts warn
There may be a surge in spotted lanternflies this year after the population previously experienced a significant decline, experts warn. These predictions are based on an increase in egg mass counts at a vineyard in Berks County, Pennsylvania, as Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist based in Atlanta, told Fox News Digital. "While it is unclear whether that increase will mean a true surge in populations, experts are asking people to be vigilant as activity rises this season," he said. "People may start to see more lanternfly activity in the weeks to come as the weather continues to warm," Hottel added. An article by the New York Post called them "sex-crazed," and claimed that lanternflies are "back in full force." While lanternflies pose a serious risk to plants and crops, they are not a danger to humans or animals, experts say. The insect does not sting, bite or transmit disease. The National Park Service warns, however, that these invasive insects could pose a threat to agricultural production. "Once established in an area, [the spotted lanternfly] has the potential to dramatically affect forest ecosystems, agricultural production and cultural resources," its website states. Although the lanternfly prefers feeding on the exotic tree of heaven — which is also invasive, meaning it spreads quickly and harms local ecosystems, according to Hottel — it is an "indiscriminate pest" that feeds on over 70 different plant species. They also excrete a substance that causes harmful mold growth on plants, the expert noted. Pest services like Orkin recommend that homeowners remove young tree of heaven seedlings to prevent the spotted lanternfly from invading their property. Northeastern states contain the most established populations, although lanternflies are beginning to spread into other U.S. regions like the Midwest and Southeast. "Spotted lanternflies tend to surge in populations when they invade new areas, and the population tends to decrease after a few years," Hottel told Fox News Digital. Because the insect lays its eggs on hard surfaces like vehicles, firewood, bricks, stones and other items often moved outdoors, humans can easily, and unknowingly, transport the pest. "This means lanternflies can spread more widely to new territories and cause more damage," Hottel warned. "While this might not sound significant, a large-scale die-off of native North American flora and fauna would have an impact on our local ecosystems in a big way." For more Health articles, visit People who think they have seen a spotted lanternfly should call a local pest control office to assist with identification and to address concerns about infestation.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Spurn wildlife reserve staff 'told families to kill caterpillars'
A mother-of-two said she felt "physically sick" when families enjoying a tour of a Yorkshire nature reserve were told to "stomp" on said the suggestion was made by a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) staff member at Spurn - a peninsula that extends into the Humber said: "The invasive species had apparently deserved to be squashed because they were eating the leaves of the sea buckthorn. Families killed, with glee, as many as they could."In a statement given to the BBC, the trust apologised and admitted incorrect information was given during its Spurn Safari tour. It said it had since reviewed staff training. Sara, 37, who did not want to give her surname, said she and her husband had decided to treat their children, aged 10 and 11, to the tour, which uses an ex-military, all-terrain vehicle to get visitors up close to the reserve's vast array of flora and said: "The staff member told us, 'the brown tail moth caterpillar should not be here. They are an invasive species. We need to do something about them and I would encourage you to stomp on as many as you can find'."Sara said the comment made her "feel physically sick", as she and her family refused to take said: "I was shocked. People were having fun, stamping on these poor caterpillars. "I was brought up to respect all creatures." In a statement, YWT said: "We should not ask visitors to kill caterpillars, even invasive ones. The information that was given during the Spurn safari is not correct, we are sorry and thank Sara for letting us know. "While we investigate, we have reviewed our training and reminded colleagues that this is not what we do, and under no circumstances should it be suggested that visitors take such action."Brown-tail moth caterpillars are a "native but invasive species" and active during spring and summer months, the trust creatures have tiny, barbed hairs that can cause a rash when they come into contact with skin, and damage rare said it follows "established practices", under approval from Natural England, to manage the population, with this activity carried out over the autumn and that emerge in the spring should be left to continue their natural life cycle, the trust added. Sara said she could no longer support YWT."As a compassionate individual, I joined YWT (as a supporter) to support the care of all wildlife, not just a selection," she added."I will not be returning." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Invasive Lizard from a Continent Away Found Hiking in California Park
A black-and-white tegu lizard was spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park in Santa Clara County on June 7 by a group of hikers Rangers then undertook a five-day search for the animal, which is native to South America On Thursday, June 12, Santa Clara County Parks shared on Facebook that the animal had been located and captured "safe and sound"An escaped Argentine tegu has been found "safe and sound" in a park in Santa Clara County, Northern California. The large invasive black and white lizard, which is native to South America, was first spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park earlier in June, reported The Sacramento Bee. Park rangers then undertook a five-day search for the reptile, sharing numerous updates about their quest via Facebook. Santa Clara County Parks posted on June 7 that a "group of hikers" had initially seen the monochrome tegu and shared some snaps of the creature. The post added that the "non-native" reptiles generally eat "bird eggs, small birds, small lizards, and various small mammals and invertebrates." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Rangers assured park-goers that tegus are generally "docile" but added that they "do not belong in county parks," so they urged anyone who spotted the animal to tell department staff. A subsequent update on June 7 urged the public not to hunt the tegu or try to trap it, adding that "park rangers are actively conducting foot patrols around Grant Lake to locate it." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Meanwhile, on June 11, the search was still ongoing, with a Facebook update noting that park rangers were "working collaboratively with state and local agencies to locate and safely remove the tegu." Finally, on June 12, Santa Clara County Parks shared on Facebook that officials located the tegu on the dam at Grant Lake in Joseph D. Grant County Park. Rangers added that the reptile had been 'safely' captured. 'The tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption should no rightful owner claim the reptile. The Department is thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a home,' the post concluded. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, tegus can grow to 4 feet long and weigh as much as 10 lbs. The agency added that the reptiles generally carry Salmonella bacteria and are a threat to wildlife. Joseph D. Grant County Park covers 10,882 acres and is about 60 miles southeast of San Francisco. Read the original article on People
