Invasive Species

The Asian Long-horned Beetle is an invasive insect which made its way to North America about 20 years ago, most likely hitching a ride in pallet wood coming from Asia.  The beetle is a threat to hardwood trees, preferring to feed on maple trees which will ultimately kill those trees. The female beetle will lay…

Flowering rush has invaded the shores of Michigan waterways since the early 1900’s, affecting the Detroit River as early as 1918, but in recent years has become a much greater problem, and is listed as a restricted noxious weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  However, flowering rush is a popular and common plant for…

The Oriental Bittersweet plant is known as Celastrus orbiculatus. According to the DNR, the oriental bittersweet plant is already established throughout Michigan. Celastrus Orbiculatus was brought to the states from Japan, China, Korea and other parts of Asia in the late 1800s. Their proliferation in Michigan is due to the dispersal of seeds by birds and pollinators. The invasive…

Purple Loosestrife is such a pretty plant! Of course it’s pink/purple flowers catches the eye, but is it benefiting our Michigan ecosystems? The species was introduced to the states from various parts of Asia and this pretty plant has made its way into almost every state in the US. Read on to see the affects…

With invasive threats on the rise, it’s been essential for Michigan to continue to protect not only our natural resources, but to also take into consideration our economy, and the effects nonnative species can have on it.  The food and agriculture industry contributes $101.2 billion annually to the state’s economy, and accounts for nearly 22%…