Biological Control of the Erythrina Gall Wasp Essay

“Invasive species are a rapidly growing problem, and in many areas, they are the second-most-important cause of species declines” (Perry & Vice, 2009, p. 993). Often times, the invasive problem is by accident due to transportation of the species, but at times is intentional. This paper will review the history of the Brown Tree Snake as an invasive species, a species description of the Brown Tree Snake, and the impact this species has had on Guam. Potential ways to resolve and control the ecological and economic impacts of the Brown Tree Snake on Guam and efforts to prevent new invasions by this species on other Pacific islands

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a highly disruptive species that can, and has played a distinctive role in the lives of many organisms. Included in these organisms are various deciduous trees and shrubs, wildlife species that share the same environment, and even humans. The gypsy moth destroys the beauty of woodlands via defoliation, alters ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and disrupts our own lives. It should therefore come as no surprise that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and many other agencies have taken huge steps to help diminish populations of this small, yet persistent species. In an effort to control these overwhelming populations, five chemical control agents have

Invasive species are a potential critical problem. They can influence the environment completely; anything from individual species to entire ecosystems. The brown tree snake was at first located in Indonesia and New Guinea, but the brown tree snake became an invasive species to Guam by coincidence (3). Because the Brown tree snake is very capable to hide in confined spaces it is believed that they were distributed to Guam by U.S military ships during their war against Japan (5). The brown tree snake can be easily distinguished by its brown, greenish colour, rear fangs and a large, almost disproportioned, head compared to its body (5).

An example of a harmful invasive species is the Asian Long-Horned Beetle. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an Asian Long-Horned Beetle destroys “millions of acres of America's treasured hardwoods, including national forests and backyard trees.” When the trees are killed, the environment is damaged. According to the Center for Invasive Species Research, “if this pest enters a forest ecosystem, the economic impact could be far greater than eradication and containment costs and could adversely impact export markets for various hardwood products such as veneers.” The insect negatively influences the economy, for it demolishes valued trees that are used to create certain products that need forest resources in order to be created.

Since the beginning of time, people have had a few basic needs. Somewhere to live, and most importantly, something to eat. Nature works within a very delicate balance, and one of the biggest challenges we face is the battle to keep our food supply plentiful and safe. Various plants, animals and other organisms can threaten our food supply, along with our health and comfort. When they display a threat we consider them to be pests, and their impact is never taken lightly.

Repelling Invader, addresses invasive, alien plant species that threaten native species and ecosystems in Hawaii. Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava) and Miconia calveescens (velvet tree) are two notorious invasive species to tropical islands. Strawberry guava is known to form monotypic stands in native forests that displace native Hawaiian species and spread by the means of seed dispersal and asexual reproduction. The velvet tree possess the ability to germinate in minimal light, grow through holes in the forest canopy, and outcompete neighboring native plants for sunlight. Site managers are currently combatting these invasive plant species by the means of mechanical and chemical control methods, however many of times the plants regenerate. Biocontrols that host on these foreign plants in their native land are currently being tested for host specificity so that the biocontrol exclusively attacks the target plant and not the native flora. Before the establishment of biocontrols regulations, there were numerous mistakes including the introduction of the mongoose that attacked native Hawaiian bird populations instead of the alien rat population. Now there is a structured process to screen biocontrol agents for host specificity

Invasive species have a variety of impacts, many of which are unpredictable. The Africanized honey bee (also known as the “killer bee” in the media community or apis mellifera scutellata among scientists) provides an excellent case study of how even an intentionally introduced invasive species can become uncontrollable and problematic.

To begin with, plants are considered invasive if they displace native species permanently. The Kahili ginger is dangerous threat to our native Hawaiian Wildlife. It's taken over miles and miles of land since it exhibits aggressive growth. For instance, the Nature conservancy, "Weed Warriors", Pat Billy stated that, ginger is a problem because, "Indeed the exotic south Asian ginger is one of the state's most noxious alien weeds." (Billy, 1) What this means is, Hawaii environment cannot sustain the amount of ginger. For example, if the plant continues to spread, it

Strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine, is valued by the general public of Hawaii for its ornamental, straight, red bark and fleshy fruit, which is frequently prepared into jams, jellies, juices, cakes, and pastries. However, due to false advertising and commercialization, guava as well as coffee, macadamia, passion fruit, and pineapples are seen as icons of Hawaii, yet they aren’t native to Hawaii. Even though these species aren’t native to Hawaii, coffee, macadamia, passion fruit, and pineapples do not pose a serious threat to the native ecosystems of Hawaii, like the strawberry guava. Strawberry guava is an invasive alien species to Hawaii and can be managed through mechanical control, herbicide application, and biological control

The benefits of these ideas include that by spreading and disseminating information about the threat the HWA poses to the forest health in very prominent areas throughout the eastern US, the agencies could galvanize some invested stakeholders to take action or contribute in some other meaningful way. And by introducing biological controls such a predators and increasing host resistance, the agencies could create ways for the hemlock species to survive on its own without relying on active management, which would allow them to focus resources on other pressing matters. Some of the drawbacks of these methods include any potential unforeseen ecological ramifications of the biological controls. While it should be carefully monitored, introducing new species to combat invasive ones always poses the threat of altering other ecological interactions within the areas they are dispersed beyond just preying on the invasive species. Some of the drawbacks of the host resistant strategies is with hybridization or modification, the agencies run the risk of changing the gene pool of the hemlock species and potentially affecting the population of ‘pure’ hemlocks by introducing these

Wasps play an important role in the environment, but they can also become pests on your property when they build nests under your roof or near your front door. If someone in your family has an allergy to stinging insects, then wasps can pose a serious health danger. Even if your kids aren't allergic to wasp stings, they may still fear going outside when wasps are around. Here's a look at what attracts wasps and how to get rid of them.

There are thousands of Invasive Species trying to make their way in the U.S. many of them being stopped by DNR. Sea lampreys are successfully being controlled, these spices stick to native fish and suck their blood until they kill their host, leaving dead fish carcasses along shores. In 1955, TFM was discovered which kills the sea lamprey without causing harm to the other native species. Since 1956 the United States and Canada have together spent about $15 million annually on monitoring and poisoning sea lamprey. (David, Lodge, Lewis, and Shogren 3) The Gypsy Moths is another invasive species that has been controlled by the DNR throughout the years of introduction. In 1869, gypsy moth had been imported from its native habitat in Europe, escaped

Most of the time, invasive species have negative impact on biodiversity. One of the example of negative outcome is, introduction of harlequin ladybird named Harmonia axyridis in foreign land for biological pest control. This species of ladybird have become successful invader but lethal for native species of ladybirds due to presence of obligate pathogenic parasite microsporidia in their hemolymph closely related to Nosema thompsoni (Vilcinkas et al. 2013). This lethal parasite, is in inactive state inside H.axyridis but leads to death of native species after ingestion. Vilcinkas et al. proposed that H.axyridis carry a lethal parasite which causes infection and death of native ladybirds after ingestion of its eggs or larvae.

The Galapagos islands are home to many endemic species such as the various species of tortoise often associated with them. What they are known less for is the large quantity of invasive species that also now inhabit the island thanks to man coming to and from the island with only himself in mind. Since this issue has been noticed, transport to and from the islands has become quite regulated and limited in the hopes of slowing this disaster in the works. This is seeming to work but it isn’t unlikely that all threats will be eradicated since “humans will inevitably inhabit the island” (Santoso, 2014). This human presence will always be a problem but some have chosen to work towards retribution. With over 1,000 invasive species now inhabiting

There are some ‘ORGANIC’ treatments available such as ‘PYRETHRUM, REFINED PLANT OILS, and INSECTICIDIAL SOAPS. Ladybirds, lacewigs and other insects make natural predators.