Wild pigs take off as one of the nation’s fastest-growing invasives

Posted on May 15, 2012 by rhallberg

In the last few years, wild pigs have been multiplying to the point where several states have already changed hunting laws to try to manage wild pig populations. Last year, Texas passed a law allowing aerial hunting of feral pigs. Last month, Oklahoma legalized the ability to release “Judas pigs” wearing a tracking device to “rat out” the rest of the herd. And North Carolina has just approved night hunting for wild pigs and coyotes. Find out more about the recent war farmers are fighting against wild pigs.

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Invasive pythons are bigger threat in Everglades than previously thought

Posted on April 27, 2012 by rhallberg

One of the biggest challenges in IPM is the management of invasive species. Although most of the news stories we see concern insects, weeds or diseases, invasive mammals, aquatic species and reptiles can pose the same danger to native wildlife as other more common invasive species. This post discusses the threat posed to birds by Burmese pythons, a threat that scientists have recently discovered goes beyond the reduction of adult mammals and birds.

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Awards presented at the IPM Symposium

Posted on April 2, 2012 by rhallberg

The Regional IPM Centers were one of several award recipients at the IPM Symposium. This post presents the recipients and their background.

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Geographic profiling tracks down invaders, researchers find

Posted on February 29, 2012 by rhallberg

For those of you who have never heard the term “geographic profiling,” it refers to a method used by crime fighters to track down serial killers, especially when they have a large pool of suspects. According to a group of scientists in Britain, who published a paper in the journal Ecography, scientists trying to stop the spread of invaders–invasive species, that is–can use the same tool to locate source populations of those invasive species, with considerably less effort than they may be using with many of the current source locator methods.

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CABI compiles list of worst plant pests threatening world crops

Posted on January 18, 2012 by rhallberg

Agricultural pests have long been considered one of the greatest threats to food security. Insect pests and diseases cause about a 40% loss in global production each year. And scientists warn that the problem will probably get worse.

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Findings from University of Georgia study could improve chances for hemlock biocontrol efforts

Posted on January 12, 2012 by rhallberg

A new study, done by scientists at the University of Georgia, suggests that one of the secrets to controlling the hemlock woolly adelgid may be at the top of the tree.

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Research study finds affordable tool for mosquito control—using repellent plants

Posted on January 4, 2012 by rhallberg

In the Ngara district in northwest Tanzania is a small village with some of the ideal conditions for mosquitoes. Villagers lack the income to pay for the typical mosquito protection. Many are wary of chemical sprays used on their property or inside the house. Because the village was nearly ideal for mosquitoes, it was also ideal for a group of British researchers who wanted to test the effectiveness of an exotic invasive plant on repelling mosquitoes.

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Here today, gone tomorrow: the case of a disappearing invasive ant species in New Zealand

Posted on December 16, 2011 by rhallberg

Although the cost of invasive species has not sparked nearly as much debate as has the possibility of global warming, the combination of the two has bred some interesting research. In New Zealand, for example, a group of scientists recently examined what effect warming temperatures would have on the invasive Argentine ant, and whether native ant populations could recover if invasive ant colonies disappeared.

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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree! How important is IPM for your branches!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by rhallberg

You don’t have to travel very far to find a healthy offering of Christmas trees. In the Southern US, Fraser firs are among the favorite. I’m going to focus on a topic that few people want to think out—pests and diseases that can affect Christmas trees.

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Biological Control Deconstructed, Part 3

Posted on November 8, 2011 by rhallberg

If biocontrol has so many advantages, why do some people shudder at the mention of a new introduction of an insect or parasitoid that may save a crop or forest tree from certain destruction? Simple. Any time that any living organism is set free in a foreign habitat, that organism presents its own risks.

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