A step has been taken toward the biological control of tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva). The Invasive Species Research group at the UT Austin Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL) and collaborating USDA scientists have described the first pathogen to be found in tawny crazy ants. The pathogen is a new genus of microsporidian parasites that infects the ant fat bodies. They are fascinating parasites because microsporidia, which are single-celled organisms, are among some of the simplest life forms, having evolved complex life histories including multiple spore types, yet have lost several key metabolic abilities and so have very small genomes. This new genus is additionally interesting because it is more closely related to microsporidian parasites of stoneflies than to microsporidia that infect other ant species. The new taxon is called "Myrmecomorba nylanderiae", which alludes to its being a pathogen of crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva).

The potential of this pathogen to be used for biological control of tawny crazy ants is the subject of ongoing studies in the BFL lab. Other microsporidia have been shown to have deleterious effects on their hosts, such as two species of microsporidia that infect fire ants. Long-term control of invasive ant populations will probably depend on a cocktail of host-specific pathogens and parasites.

Plowes, RM, JJ Becnel, EG LeBrun, DH Oi, SM Valles, NT Jones, LE Gilbert. (2015) Myrmecomorba nylanderiae gen. et sp. nov., a microsporidian parasite of the tawny crazy ant Nylanderia fulva. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (129) 45–56

For more information on the tawny crazy ant, go here.

The redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) is a dark colored, bullet shaped beetle with small puncture-like dents covering the elytra, and is 2 mm long when mature. The redbay ambrosia beetle can be identified with a characteristic snout representing modified mandibles for taking up nutrients. Positive identification of X. glabratus is almost impossible without the help of a professional, but the glaborous upper surface and abrupt apical declivity may help distinguish this invasive beetle from other native species. Redbay ambrosia beetle larvae are legless, white grubs with amber colored head capsules. These flightless grubs are found feeding on infected trees beneath or on the surface of the bark.

Originally from India, Japan, Myanmar, and Taiwan, the redbay ambrosia beetle is a known vector of the vascular fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which causes the host plant to wilt and die within a matter of months or even weeks. This insect-disease complex is referred to as laurel wilt in literature. Flight allows the beetle to transfer the fungus to new hosts rapidly. In 2002 the redbay ambrosia beetle was discovered near Port Wentworth, Georgia by chance in a survey trap. Within three years the beetle spread through the southeast U.S. and was associated with death to ambrosia and sassafras trees in Florida. Experts believe introduction of the redbay ambrosia beetle was facilitated by solid wood packing materials such as crates or pallets on which the beetle was feeding undetected. Found in FL, GA, MS, SC, and recently in Hardin and Jasper Counties, TX. In June of this year one was also detected in Newton Co., TX. (Note that the map to the right does not indicate all these locations yet.)

Follow this link to learn more about the redbay ambrosia beetle.

REMINDER: NAIPC Presents Free Webinar on Aerial Control of Bush Honeysuckle
August 13 @ 3:00 pm EDT. This webinar, presented by the National Association of Invasive Plant Councils, will discuss traditional management techniques for bush honeysuckle, ongoing research and implementation of aerial applications, and future directions. Link to registration.

The French Connection between Texas and Corrizo Cane
John Goolsby, a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist, is set to release French wasps to take out Arundo donax, otherwise known as corrizo cane. Officials are hunting for funds from Gov. Abbotts new $10 million program with the Soil and Water Conservation Board, in an effort to help finance Goolsby’s wasps. Learn more about the French wasp mighty enough to take out Arundo at bloomberg.

Nutria Burrow Causes Canal Breach
Nutrias are to blame for a canal breach in the Hidalgo County Irrigation District 9. A similar breach occurred in the same area in 2012. Officials say there is little to do to stop this invasive species from causing another canal breach. Learn more about Welasco’s nutria issue at krgv.

Branched Broomrape Threatens Texas Agriculture
First identified in 1981 in Karnes County, Texas, branched broomrape (Orobanche ramose) has reappeared. A task force aiming to stop this parasitic plant from spreading in the Rio Grande Valley and attacking vegetable crops has been assembled. Read more about the threat branched broomrape poses and the taskforce at branched broomrape.

Sarasota Lionfish Derby Takes On Lionfish Population
From July 10th thru the 12th, Floridians and a Texan vied for the biggest and smallest lionfish catch during the Sarasota Lionfish Derby, with a total of 456 fish caught. Mote Marine Laboratory in cooperation with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and ZooKeeper hosted the derby with a celebration educating the public at the end. Read more exciting details about the derby at Sarasota Lionfish Derby.

New Research into the Spread of the Giant African Land Snail and Parasites
As the risk grows of the invasive giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) spreading in Florida, USGS biologist Deborah Iwanowicz led researchers in an effort to find out just how many snails carried the parasitic rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can infect humans. They discovered that prior research underestimated the number of individual snails that carried the worm. Read more about the Giant African Land snail and their associated risks at washingtonpost.

Boat Inspection in Oregon Finds Texas Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussels were found on a Texas boat bound for Washington during a boat inspection in Ashland, Oregon. The boat became the 9th infected watercraft caught by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife this season. Read more about Oregon’s effort to manage invasive species at the world link.

The Invasive Palm Weevil Caught in Arizona
The South American palm weevil, which is native to Central and South America and feeds on various palms, has found its way into California and Texas. According to The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), it now seems an individual weevil died near a weevil trap in Yuma, Arizona. Learn more at azpm.org.

New Research Sheds Light on Emerald Ash Borer and White Fringetree
In October, Biology Professor Don Cipollini announced the damage found on the white fringetrees, a cousin of the ash, was due to the emerald ash borer. Now he is suggesting that damage is likely to be more widespread than previously thought and other relatives in the ash family could be at risk. Read more about the new risk at white fringetree.

Emerald Ash Borer Decoys Could Protect the Ash
University of Michigan and Penn State engineers have developed a die method to create life-like decoys to help save America’s ash trees. The method to make these biomimmically produced female decoys had limited production until researchers were able to enhance their process. Read more about how the decoys are made and attract males at EAB decoy.

Traditional Native American Practice Effectively Kills Emerald Ash Borer
Scientists from the USDA Forest Service and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have been working with basket-makers from Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Potawatomi Indians to test a novel storage technique for killing emerald ash borer -- submerging the ash logs for up to 18 weeks in water. Learn more about the storage technique, how it's used in the art of basket-making and its effect on emerald ash borer at basket-making.

Louisiana Uses Biocontrol to Stop the Emerald Ash Borer
The first emerald ash borer in Louisiana was detected in February, 2015. Since then, officials have been following the example of northern states by employing parasitic wasps in an effort to combat the beetle and slow its progress. Learn more about the emerald ash borer and wasps that may slow them down at Louisiana.

Biocontrol Is the Weapon of Choice in a War Against Emerald Ash Borer
In Colorado, the Oobius agrili, a predatory wasp and natural predator of the emerald ash borer, will have a chance to hunt the beetle once more. Officials with the Colorado Department of Agriculture have released the wasp recently in hopes of saving the state’s ash population. Read more about Colorado’s effort at smithsonianmag.

The Spread of Invasive Plant Species Made a Little Easier With the Help of Europeans
Joint research efforts have shown that a major factor in Central European plant species’ ability to become invasive has been due to how Europeans have treated them. It turns out that how these species were traditionally treated (cultivated or not) plays a more important role than plant traits in the ability of a species to become naturalized. Learn more about the anthropogenic factors influencing invasive tendency at invasive plant species.

Global Grassland Study Helps Define Differences between Native and Exotic Species
A study led by the University Of Minnesota College Of Natural Sciences, analyzed data from 64 grassland sites spanning 13 countries to determine what functional difference between exotic and native species led to a species becoming invasive. In particular, they studied plant responses to nutrient levels and grazing. Read more about the study and the functional differences between exotic and native species at sciencedaily.

Fire Can Help Some Invasive Grasses Take Over
A recent study done by the University of Illinois has found that prescribed fires in areas of Japanese stiltgrass infestations actually help the invasive grass to take over new adjacent areas more quickly than it would without fire. Learn more about the study and its implications for land management at stiltgrass.

Sentinel Pest Network and Invaders of Texas Species Workshops

Invaders of Texas workshops train volunteers to become citizen scientists to detect and report invasive species. Workshops include information on the Sentinel Pest Network which serves to increase the awareness of early detection of Emerald Ash Borer, Cactus Moth, Asian Longhorned Beetle, and other pests of regulatory significance.

Workshops are tailored to meet the interests of your volunteer group, and supplementary session examples include an introduction to the TX Invaders mobile application and the Eradicator Calculator, a feature on Texasinvasives.org designed to help organize and track volunteer-based eradication efforts.