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invasive species We should be aware of the various invasive species in
our area because they can wreak havoc. When an invasive species
arrives, they usually do not have any natural enemies and they can, over
time, change our area's ecology. The
Purple Loosestrife, for example was brought to North America from
Europe as a decorative plant spices, which it is, but it now covers our
fields, pushing out endemic plant species, which in turn changes our
pollinating insects many of which do not have any use for this new
plant. Our Rochester area is not immune from the environmental problem of invasive species.
This page points out some the invasive species in our area, including
plants and animals, resources to find out more
about this issue, and recent news stories about them in our local media.
VHS - Stay informed on
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)
that is moving into the Great Lakes
and spreading to many of our area's
Finger Lakes, rivers, and streams.
Our fishing industry and waters may
never be the same.

Invasive Species
in and around Rochester, New York
One
of our biggest invasive problems is
Zebra Mussels
Other
Rochester
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Resources on
Rochester-area Invasive Species
"The invasion of noxious weeds has created a level
of destruction to America's environment and economy that is matched only by the damage
caused by floods, earthquakes, wildfire, hurricanes and mudslides," Secretary of the
Interior Bruce Babbitt said. "This is truly an explosion in slow motion by
opportunistic alien species with few if any natural enemies." --from the U.S. Department of
the Interior
Purple Loosestrife Bug
It is good that scientists have discovered
how disruptive invasive species can be. We now know that the
Purple Loosestrife,
brought over from German in the last century and now over-ridding our marshes
and fields, have disrupted our indigenous plants and animals. It’s also good
that efforts are being made to control this beautiful pest, as we must assume
that there is an inherent biological value in keeping our local ecology
intact.
What is not good is that without a compete
biodiversity study—the sum total of all plants and animals and their
relationships--of our area’s environment, we have no idea the nature or the
extent of the problem. Far greater than the effect this plant has on our
environment is humanity’s. Without a biodiversity study, we shooting blind,
attempting to solve problems we don’t understand. The bug we introduce into
our environment to control this invasive species may in time be a greater threat
to our environment (our existence) than the Purple Loosestrife. But, we won’t
know because we want a quick, inexpensive, simple solution to the most complex
situation we have ever come up against.
We will never know how much we have altered
the environment by our development and overpopulation because we made wholesale
changes—cutting trees, polluting waterways, destroying animal and plant
habitats, and spewing debris into the air—without knowing or caring what
changes these actions of ours have made. The disruption of our environment by
the Purple Loosestrife is nothing compared with our intrusion upon Nature and it’s
going to take a lot more than a bug to control us.
The Invasive Plant Council of NYS IPC has
developed an Early Detection list for each of the eight PRISM regions in the
state (see PRISM map at bottom of page). Each of the plants listed below is on
the Early Detection List for one or more PRISMs.
NYSDEC - New York State Invasive Species Task Force
Early in the 20th Century, chestnut blight arrived in North America and has
since wiped out one of the most valuable trees in our forest, the American
chestnut. Zebra mussels arrived here from their native Caspian Sea in the late
20th Century and have altered ecosystems, clogged pipes, and ruined bathing
beaches in some of our largest waters. Near the start of the present century,
West Nile Virus came here from Africa and has harmed both birds and humans.
Asian Longhorn Beetle arrived within the lumber used for packing crates and has
forced us to cut down thousands of prized shade trees in our cities and suburbs
- in the hope that it does not spread to our forests. Swede midge is poised in
Canada; it could decimate our broccoli and cabbage crops. Chronic Wasting
Disease has been moving east ward from its origins in Rocky Mountain elk and
mule deer. It could create havoc with our White-tailed Deer if it enters New
York. Although numerous agencies and organizations across New York are combating
the threats posed by these invasive species, our state does not yet have a fully
coordinated or comprehensive defense
Nuisance & Invasive Species -
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation While people usually enjoy having
wildlife around, problems sometimes arise when the activities of people and
wildlife clash. We have provided links to sources of information that will help
you better understand wildlife and their habits and suggest things you can do to
prevent and control wildlife damage. Please note that most wildlife is protected
by state and federal law, and some control activities may require permits. For
help with wildlife nuisance or damage, check the Yellow Pages for licensed
nuisance wildlife control operators under "Pest Control Services." Further
information is available from your regional wildlife office.
Find copious resources from
Invasive Species: The Nation's Invasive
Species Information System the on
Purple
Loosestrife
For more information on
giant
hogweed or to report a sighting, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Monroe County's Gardening Helpline at (585) 473-5335 or the Wayne County
extension office at (315) 331-8415. (July 17, 2004)
Democrat
and Chronicle
Find out about Invasive Species
in our waters: Sea
Grant: National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse
Welcome to Sea Grant's NATIONAL AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES
CLEARINGHOUSE, an international library of research, public
policy, and outreach education publications pertaining to
invasive marine and fresh-water aquatic nuisance species in
North America. It is the home of North America's most
extensive library of publications related to the spread,
biology, impacts and control of zebra mussels. The
Clearinghouse is operated by New York Sea Grant, a bipartite
research, education and technology transfer program of
Cornell University and the State University of New York. The
Clearinghouse is funded by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and is located on the campus of
State University of New York at Brockport.
Invasive Plants "The Invasive Plants website contains information on
invasive plants, their impact on native species, and their control (particularly
biological control). The web pages focus on work conducted by students and staff
of the Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program, directed by Bernd
Blossey, at Cornell University. The majority of our work concerns species and
ecosystems in northeastern North America, but most species we work with are
distributed widely through North America. We invite you to explore this website
and to participate or contribute to ongoing research projects."

Invasive Species in the Rochester-Area News
(Please note links below will open in a new window.)

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New York State
Integrated Pest Management Program: We develop sustainable ways to
manage pests and help people to use methods that minimize environmental,
health, and economic risks.
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Invasive
Species: The Nation's Invasive Species Information System
Invasivespecies.gov is the gateway to Federal efforts concerning
invasive species. On this site you can learn about the impacts of
invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read
select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations
dealing with invasive species issues. Invasivespecies.gov is also the
website for the National Invasive Species Council, which coordinates
Federal responses to the problem.
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Invasive
Plant Council of New York State
the Invasive Plant Council of New York
State was incorporated in 1999. Our goal is to organize an effective
partnership among public and private organizations to address the need
for invasive species information and control across the state. Working
together, public and private agencies and concerned private citizens
will find practical solutions to invasive species problems and protect
our diverse natural heritage.
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Asian
Longhorned Beetle - Extensive resources and information from the
USDA on major invasive species that affects our trees.
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Alert
All Trees... The Asian Longhorn Beetle Is Coming! The Asian
Longhorn beetle poses a serious threat to the U.S. forest and ornamental
tree industry. The public should be informed about this devastating imported
insect. It is important to educate the public about the detrimental effects
of the Asian Longhorn beetle in order to maintain control and prevent the
spread of this menacing pest. --University of Wisconsin
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Invasive
Weeds: A Growing Pain Many weeds have pretty flowers but they are a
growing pain. They crowd out native plants, harm animal habitats and
increase erosion. --Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Education Homepage
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Purple
Loosestrife
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WAIS
Gateway This is a searchable index of information for "invasive plant
species":.
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IPC - The Invasive
Plant Council of NYS: A partnership dedicated to solving invasive
plant species problems in New York State.
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Giant
hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a member of the parsley or
carrot family, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). As its name indicates it is
characterized by its size and may grow to 15 to 20 feet in height.
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Giant Hogweed
Noxious Weed Identification Giant Hogweed is originally from Asia and
was introduced as an ornamental. A member of the parsley family, its most
impressive characteristic is its massive size. It reaches a height of 10 to
15 feet when in flower and has hollow stems, 2 to 4 inches in diameter with
dark reddish-purple spots and bristles. --King
County, Washington
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Round
Goby: An Exotic Fish in the Great Lakes The round goby, Neogobius
melanstomus, is a small, bottom - dwelling fish that was first found in the
Great Lakes region in 1990. Originally from the Black and Caspian Sea areas
of Eastern Europe, it is believed that this exotic species arrived in the
ballast water of vessels coming into the Great Lakes. Since the first
sighting in the St. Clair River, round gobies have spread to all of the
Great Lakes and are working their way inland through the rivers and canal
systems. --USGS
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Invasive
Species: Round goby profile --from
Invasive Species: The Nation's
Invasive Species Information System
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Welcome to Sea Grant's National
Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse, home of North America's most
extensive technical library of publications related to the spread, biology,
impacts and control of zebra mussels and other important aquatic nuisance,
non-indigenous and invasive species.
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Biological
Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum
spicatum L.) is an exotic aquatic plant that was introduced to North America
between the late 1800's and the early 1940's (Aiken et al. 1979, Smith and
Barko 1990). It grows rapidly and tends to form a dense canopy on the water
surface, which often interferes with recreation, inhibits water flow, and
impedes navigation (Grace and Wetzel 1978, Smith and Barko 1990).
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Invasive Species
--from The Nature Conservancy - nature
conservation, biodiversity, conservation groups, endangered species,
environmental organization, tropical rain forest conservation, wildlife
habitats preservation You can find the answers to these
questions, view pictures of commonly found invasive plants that may be in your
own backyard, and learn what you can do to help at
http://nature.org/invasives/
At first glance they may look pretty, but invasive plants can pose a serious
environmental threat in your own backyard. Once used widely in gardening,
landscaping and erosion control, invasive like the five pictured here can be
found in yards, along roadsides and in business lots across the country. Free
from natural restraints, these alien invaders establish themselves in new
areas and eventually supplant native species.
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Asian Longhorned Beetle from the USDA. Everything you wanted to know about
this invasive species.
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Protect
Your Waters and Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers. Throughout history, man has
experimented with intentional introductions of exotic plant and animal species
for a variety of reasons. While many introductions have produced beneficial
results, a very small minority has created significant negative impacts.
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New Invader: The
Asian Carp One barrier is in place and others are in the works against a
finny invader that weighs up to 60 pounds, eats so much it threatens to starve
out other fish and breeds so fast that Australians nicknamed it "river
rabbit."
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Quagga Mussel
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Hemlock
Woolly Adelgid Alert The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is a serious pest of
hemlock in the northeastern United States.
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Invasive
Species: The Nation's Invasive Species Information System
Invasivespecies.gov is the gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive
species. On this site you can learn about the impacts of invasive species and
the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and
find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues.
Invasivespecies.gov is also the website for the National Invasive Species
Council, which coordinates Federal responses to the problem.
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Pales
Weevil - FIDL The pales weevil, Hylobius pales (Herbst),4 is the most
serious insect pest of pine seedlings in the Eastern United States. Great
numbers of adult weevils are attracted to freshly cutover pine lands where
they breed in stumps and old root systems. Seedlings planted in freshly cut
areas are injured or killed by adult weevils that feed on the stem bark. It is
not uncommon to have 30 to 60 percent weevil-caused mortality among first-year
seedlings in the South, and mortality of 90 percent or more has been recorded.
In the North, pales weevil is also destructive to pine and other conifers
grown for Christmas trees.
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European
Starling "All of the European Starlings found today in North America-and
they number in the 200 million range-are descendants of approximately 100
birds introduced in New York City's Central Park in the early 1890s"
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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http://www.swallow-wort.com
A.K.A. "Dog Strangling Vine" - Pale Swallow-wort is a member of the milkweed
family. It is a herbaceous perennial vine, 2 to 6 feet in height. The leaves
are opposite in arrangement, oval to wedge-shaped, with pointed tips.
Generally, the leaves are 2.5 to 4.5" long and 2 to 2.75" wide. They are
glossy and medium-green in color. In summer, the leaves display a warm yellow
color. The flowers are small and fleshy, with 5 pink to maroon colored petals.
They are borne in loose clusters and are visible in late May through mid July.
The fruit is a smooth, slender, pointed pod. The pods are light-green in color
and are frequently borne in pairs. They are abundant during July and August.
Like milkweed, the pods open in late summer, disseminating large numbers of
downy seeds.
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Snakehead
Fish Snakehead fish are native to China but are imported into the US as
aquarium fish as well as food fish. Snakeheads can cause serious problems to
native fish populations if they get established in US waters.
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Asian
Carp and the Great Lakes --from the EPA.
Find out what effect these invasive species might have on the Great Lakes.
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Emerald Ash Borer
"Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle
that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of
2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The
larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting
the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients."
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