Weevils Destroy Giant Salvinia
in an East Texas Lake

A weevil that feeds exclusively on Salvinia molesta (giant salvinia) has successfully destroyed about 150 acres of the invasive plant on B.A. Steinhagen Lake in East Texas.

Giant salvinia has invaded 17 lakes and other bodies of water in the southeastern U.S. (Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension).  TPWD’s Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Program has released more than 112,000 adult weevils into Steinhagen Lake to combat the invasive species.

An effort at Caddo Lake in Northeast Texas aims for similar results. Research is being conducted at a weevil-rearing facility at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge through the Center for Invasive Species Eradication. - Read More.

Invasive Plant Prevention:
Guide to Best Management Practices

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", and spread prevention is a first step toward working on weed management.

The California Invasive Plant Council has published two prevention BMP manuals, one for land managers and one for transportation and utility managers. These manuals present a set of voluntary guidelines and ready-to-use checklists to help those managing wildlands to prevent the accidental spread of terrestrial invasive plants.

All books, brochures, and the CD-ROM may be ordered online by printing the order form or by calling 510-843-3902. There are print copies available of the land manager manual at $10 each to cover printing costs.

Pest Watch: Banded Elm Bark Beetle Texas Sightings in 2012

Scolytus schevyrewi (banded elm bark beetle) is native to northern China, Central Asia, and Russia.  It was first discovered in the U.S. in 2003 in Colorado and Utah.  Since then, the beetle has been detected in 21 states, and as of 2012 that includes Texas.  

Currently in the U.S., the beetle has attacked four different species of elms: American, English, Russian, and Rock Elm. In the species home range, it attacks elms, willows, woody plants of the pea family, and potentially species of the rose family.

If you would like your invasive species event or news listed in the next iWire, please send the details to iwire@texasinvasives.org.

Invaders of Texas Training
Gets CPE Hours for Texas Teachers

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is an approved provider and attending an Invaders of Texas workshop provides Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours for teachers.  

Providers must be approved and registered by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas Education Agency. This registration ensures that activities offered for CPE credit support the professional growth of educators in the knowledge and skills necessary to improve student achievement in Texas public schools. 

Calling All Pest Detectives!

The Invaders of Texas program will be conducting 10 invasive pest identification workshops in 2013. The workshops will train citizen scientists to identify and report invasive pests of regulatory concern, such as Emerald Ash Borer. Satellites will have two options: a half-day workshop focusing on invasive pests, or a full-day workshop consisting of a half-day on invasive pests and the other half being a refresher course for the Invaders of Texas program.

We are now taking requests for these new workshops. Please contact Jessica Strickland for more information and to schedule your workshop!

Citizen Science Workshops

Sentinel Pest Network & Invasive Species Workshops
These workshops supplement the Invaders of Texas program by training citizen scientists to identify and report invasive pests of regulatory concern like Emerald Ash Borer and the Cactus Moth while they are out looking for invasive plants. The morning session will cover non-native, invasive pests, and the afternoon session will be a refresher course on non-native, invasive plants that occur in your area. 

We have funding for 10 workshops in 2013, so schedule your workshop, today!

Workshop Schedule:

Saturday March 2nd, 2013
Location: John Bunker Sands Wetland Center (Seagoville, TX)
Contact: Teresa Moss

For more information or to request a workshop, please visit our Workshop Page.