Animal & pathogen invaders
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 Anoplophora glabripennis (September 2005)
Asian longhorned beetles Anoplophora glabripennis, a known and established
pest in the eastern part of North America, has recently been detected in
California. This is exceptionally bad news. We have a number of resources to help you look for
this pest in your area.
More information
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 Cactoblastis cactorum (August 2002)
The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, known best as a biological
control success in places like Australia and South Africa, is now
established in North America and the Caribbean where it poses a critical
threat to the vast biodiversity of native prickly pear cacti. Information on
where it is spreading is critically needed.
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 Megabalanus coccopoma (January 2007)
This Pacific barnacle has been detected in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Now it has been detected in coastal Georgia. The impacts of this barnacle are as yet unknown. You should report
any east-coast detections of this barnacle.
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 Mytella charruana (September 2006)
This tropical mussel has been found in the Mosquito Lagoon portion of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. All indications are that this
mussel is reproducing---nearly 600 individual mussels have been collected from the lagoon. This mussel could displace
natives and adversely affect commercially important oysters. It has now also
been found in Georgia!
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 Rhinogobius brunneus (September 2006)
A nonnative freshwater goby, tentatively identified as Rhinogobius brunneus, has been found in spawning condition
in the state of Washington. Be alert for this species in Pacific Northwest waters!
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Known plant invaders sighted in new areas
These plants are well known wildland area weeds which have been spotted
expanding their range, or which are reaching population levels.
A tenacious weed from the west coast appearing on
the east coast for the first time would be such an example.
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Alliaria petiolata (April 2000)
Garlic mustard is no stranger to those who defend wildlands against invasive
species. The bad news is that this invader is now
appearing in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon.
More information
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 Brachypodium sylvaticum (February 2002)
Don't take a chance with this grass! It
creates monotypic
stands in open grassland and forested habitats, and has been rapidly
expanding its range in Oregon's Willamette Valley. It could likely
spread into Washington, Idaho, and northern California!
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Cenchrus ciliaris (July 2000)
This plant is widely used in
Texas and northern Mexico as a pasture grass. Unfortunately it is an
invasive grass that is invading wildlands. It is supporting fire in
communities that are not fire-adapted. Look for it in arid states like
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and Oklahoma.
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Euonymus alatus (March 2000)
This
popular horticultural tree is usually quite well behaved in urban situations
but it is a wildland weed in a number of states, including
Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, WI, IL, RI, and OH.
More information
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Oxalis pes-caprae (September 2002)
Don't let this pretty little garden pest
get into your natural area...it will rapidly create hundreds of tiny
bulblets that are nearly impossible to eradicate! This herb has been
recently spotted invading native coastal dunes in northern California, and
since it occurs in gardens in both coastal and inland regions, it could
potentially spread from these disturbed areas into pastures, native
grasslands, and other habitats.
More information
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Glyceria declinata (August 2006)
Possibly easily avoiding detection because it looks like the more widespread invasive Lolium,
this grass is showing up in vernal pools throughout California's Central Valley.
More information
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Salvinia molesta (November 1998)
A
weed so vile it is illegal to possess in many US states, this rapidly
reproducing water fern has been spotted near the Texas-Louisiana
border, and is now in the Colorado River.
It can have a doubling time of less than a week, so if
spotted it must be dealt with immediately.
More information
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Sapium sebiferum (October 1998)
Another
riparian problem! Chinese Tallowtree has proven its weedy,
reproductive powers in the southeastern USA. It is starting to gain
a foothold in California, and could be as bad as Tamarisk or
Melaleuca. This tree is widely used in horticulture, and
birds help spread the seed.
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Sesbania punicea (October 1998)
Managers in California and other hot climates beware! This
attractive, red-flowered shrub in the legume family has been
spotted spreading in the Sacramento area. It has already demonstrated its
weedy tendencies in Texas, Georgia, and South Africa, and has potential for
being a problem in other riparian wetland areas.
More information
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New plant of unknown characters
The following plants have been found, usually in somewhat small
populations, growing in wildlands. The threats these plants
pose are unresolved--they may be serious invaders, or they may be
waifs.
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Cayratia japonica (March 2001)
Although this is a plant of
unknown properties, a common name like
"bushkiller" sounds troublesome! Cayratia
is a vine from the grape family that has been observed escaping
in Texas and Louisiana, and it may be elsewhere in the Gulf Coast.
More information
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Ceratonia siliqua (April 2001)
Unfortunately, this nice yard tree used
extensively in warm areas has an invasive streak. It has been observed
escaping from cultivation. Indeed, it is considered one of the worst weeds
at the University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens.
More information
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Coincya monensis (January 2000)
This
mustard-family plant has started to establish itself in sandy dunelands of
California. Managers in the northern Pacific coast, beware!
More information
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Cryptocoryne beckettii (March 2001)
This popular and commonly
grown aquarium plant has been spotted invading natural areas in Texas.
It may not be a rapidly growing pest like some exotics, but it has
been seen making monocultures and excluding native biodiversity.
More information
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Glyceria maxima (July 2000)
This
invader of Canadian and Australian/New Zealander wetlands was spotted
twice in Wisconsin in the 1970s. But recently it showed up in Massachusetts.
Keep your eyes open for this wetland invader.
More information
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Hypericum canariense (November 2001)
This pretty shrub is occasionally planted
as an ornamental, and has been spotted escaping in several sites in coastal
California. It is a wildland invader in Hawaii, and current populations,
especially in San Mateo County, are spreading rapidly.
More information
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Ononis alopecuroides (December 1999)
This
legume has been spotted escaping in California. It produces
large numbers of seeds and has potential to spread rapidly.
More information
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Phellodendron amurense (April 2000)
This
landscape tree, although somewhat weak in cultivation, is making itself
at home in wildland forests in New York and Pennsylvania. It is unclear
if this plant will become a tough foe, or if it will be easily controlled.
Seed production is high!
More information
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Romulea rosea (March 2001)
A very pretty
little plant in the Iris family, this species from South Africa is
popping up along trails in California. We do not know if this
plant will be much of a wildland offender, but it is worth keeping
an eye on.
More information
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Schinus polygamus (July 2000)
The weedy genus Schinus
has another species we might have to worry about. While
Schinus polygamus is perhaps not
quite as weedy as its sibling species, it may cause trouble in moist,
warm areas. Present records have it in California.
More information
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Tribolium obliterum (April 2001)
This grass has been discovered in North
America for the first time. Infesting a site in Fort Ord, near Monterey
California, we do not know what kind of threat this plant will pose.
It occurs as a wildland invader in other countries, but it does
not seem to form rapidly expanding populations.
More information
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Ventenata dubia (January 2000)
This
grass has been spotted in small populations in a number of states. It is
starting to increase its range. It looks like a combination of
Avena and Bromus!
More information
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Red alerts!