invasive species - Pitchstone Waters

The “Man Eater” Screwworm Is Coming For The U.S.

After a decades-long campaign to beat the parasites down to Panama, they’re speeding back up north.

An Insidious Pest Threatens Texas Cattle. It’ll Have to Get Past These Guys.

The New World screwworm has been infecting livestock just over the border, in Mexico. “Tick riders,” a 120-year-old group of mounted USDA inspectors, are the nation’s first line of defense.

Resources

Helicopters Drones Take-on Noxious Weeds Today

Aiming to kill an invasive species of grass that can choke out native plants and fuel wildfires, Teton County Weed and Pest District is coordinating low-flying helicopters and drones to spray herbicide on 7,000 acres.

Newsletter

Restoring Biodiversity - 8/5/2025

The hidden talents of natures unloved animals. The war on biodiversity remains alive and well. Colorado deploys new wildfire-prevention tool. And more….

Resources

These Invasive Species Are As Close As Georgia. What To Look For and Know About Each

"Let me introduce you to two insects that have been spotted in Georgia that we need to be on the lookout for"

Resources

Restoring Biodiversity - 7/15/2025

The U.S. has again halted livestock imports from Mexico. Meet tawny crazy ants. Wolves wreak havoc on cattle herds in California. And more...

Tawny Crazy Ant

These 'Crazy' Invasive Florida Pests Attack Mammals, Birds and Create Giant Supercolonies

According to Texas A&M University's Urban and Structural Entomology Program, after experiencing the tawny crazy ant, most residents prefer the fire ant.

Newsletter

Restoring Biodiversity - 12/10/2024

Lake Powell water levels lead to 'ecological rebirth. What ancient invasive species can tell us about modern ones. The amazing Deer 255 is still migrating. And more...

"Invasion Biology"

Earthworm Invaders

Not only do we live alongside thousands of invasive species: Life as we know it would be impossible without them.

"Invasion Biology"

Tasmanian Devils Return to Mainland Australia for First Time in 3000 Years

Here is an interesting article about how on the Australian mainland, Australian wildlife managers are reintroducing an animal wiped out thousands of years ago by human impact. Reintroducing a native animal thousands of years later (the Aussies describe that as an “Ecological blink of an eye”) to restore biodiversity and

"Invasion Biology"

It’s Time to Stop Demonizing “Invasive” Species

“Here is a thoughtful article that challenges the “science” behind invasive species “biology”. NOTE: this article was originally published to Vox.com on on November 28, 2021. It was written by Marina Bolotnikova. Climate change is forcing some animals to move. Don’t call them “invasives.” Marine ecologist Piper Wallingford

"Invasion Biology"

National Parks are Being Overrun By Invasive Species

As this article points out, people introduce the vast majority of so-called invasive species worldwide. What the article doesn’t mention is that we humans are the world’s most destructive invaders. Or, that of the hundreds of thousands of so-called invasive species that have been introduced, virtually none have

invasive species

These Large Carnivorous Lizards Are Right Where They Belong

“As discussed below, many species considered “invasive” are “natives” – not “exotics”. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on May 15, 2020. It was written by Marion Renault. Monitor lizards, believed to be invasive species on some Pacific islands, got there long before humans, a new study says.

"Invasion Biology"

Take ‘Charisma’ Into Account When Managing Invasive Species, Scientists Say

As Groucho Marx asked all those years ago, “Who are you going to believe: Me, or your lying eyes?” According to the doubtful premise underlying invasive species biology, any new creature entering a system is, by definition, harmful to it. This paper, written by invasion “biologists” warns against being “fooled”

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review: ‘Inheritors of the Earth’ by Chris D. Thomas

Here is better way of thinking about so-called invasive species. Ask yourself: How many invasive species have ever been eliminated? How much damage have we done to native plants, animals and our finances trying unsuccessfully to eliminate invasive species? What if, instead of “always trying to defend the losers,” we

Animal Growth

Screwworm Returns To The United States

The screwworm eradication program—a triumph of animal health science—came with unintended consequences. When the flesh-eating pest was eradicated and big predators were removed, deer numbers exploded. Now more than ever we need to protect deer predators for the health of the deer herds and their habitat, which cattle

"Invasion Biology"

Book Review: ‘Fishing: How the Sea Fed Civilization’

There are many parallels between the mistreatment of fisheries and mistreatment of wildlife. NOTE: this post initially appeared on WSJ.com on September 22, 2017 Cooperation among fishermen fostered complex communities while boat building seeded exploration. Richard Adams Carey reviews ‘Fishing: How the Sea Fed Civilization’ by Brian Fagan. Many