“Tracking the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug,” a new web video produced by the Northeastern IPM Center, shows growers and others how to identify BMSB, why this pest is important in agriculture, and what’s at stake if we don’t stop it. A team of 50 scientists is working toward sustainable solutions, and our outreach team is producing this video series to showcase the group’s work (This week their work was picked up by the  Diane Rehm show on WAMU and NPR!).

Today we launch the next episode in the video series about BMSB: Overwintering and Spread. In this segment scientists try to determine how far and how quickly BMSB might spread into agricultural production areas.

http://www.stopbmsb.org/video

One of the most enjoyable streams to kayak within 15 miles of downtown Bangor is Sunkhaze Stream at the heart of the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Milford. It is a slow moving stream that from the north first winds and re-winds through shrub-scrub, then opens up amidst a vast flooded meadow. After entering the canopy of a silver maple floodplain forest, it empties almost unnoticed into the Penobscot River. In fact, “Sunkhaze” is an Abenaki word that means “concealing outlet.” Five miles of Sunkhaze Stream plus 12 miles of its 7 tributaries serve as a web connecting a variety of wetland types, including the second largest peat bog in the state. This unique wild area can feel so remote to its visitors, yet it cannot escape the plague of invasive species, namely the “purple plague”, also known as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

Invasive purple loosestrife growing along Sunkhaze Stream (Caleb Slemmons, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology)

This “beautiful” vibrant purple ornamental brought here from Europe in the 1800’s, is a hardy perennial, herbaceous plant that spreads quickly in wetlands, destroying habitat and important food sources for native fish and wildlife. As with all National Wildlife Refuges, wildlife habitat is top priority at Sunkhaze Meadows. Thus the Refuge staff and Friends of Sunkhaze Meadows NWR have been working diligently to keep purple loosestrife out of the Refuge – and out of the extensive and remote wetlands of Sunkhaze Stream where detection and treatment could be more challenging.

I am not sure when it was first spotted on or immediately adjacent to the Refuge, but it is something that the Friends group has been paying close attention to for at least the past seven years. At first, there were just a few flowering plants found in isolated locations primarily along the roadside ditches that border the Refuge and few locations along public trails. Every year, we would round up volunteers in late July and early August to hand-pull and double-bag the plants for disposal. But in 2010, we suddenly became more concerned. The construction that had taken place on the County Road over the previous year seemed to have increased the loosestrife to a level that was no longer manageable with hand-pulling. Not only were there more plants in more locations, but many were newly sprouted and extremely difficult to find. We don’t know if the increase was due to the disturbance of the construction activities alone or contaminated gravel, hay or other construction materials brought in to the site. We did know that we needed a new plan of attack.

In 2011 and 2012, we turned to herbicides. We worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to get a Pesticide Use Permit in place, obtained permission from landowners along the right-of-way, and hired a contractor to instruct and oversee the spraying of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) with hand-held backpacks. We first flagged all infestations so that the spray crews could focus on spraying rather than searching for plants. After the plants died, we then returned and cut off the flower heads to make sure that little or no viable seed would hit the ground.

Friends volunteer, Lindsay Seward, with invasive purple loosestrife removed from Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

We have been tracking the size and locations of the infestations over the past 3 years but cannot yet detect any reduction of the infestations.  The distribution of purple loosestrife seems to shift a bit from year to year, so maybe we are working to exhaust the seed bank. As with many battles against invasives, this one will surely take a lot of time, patience, persistence, and creativity. We may never win, but we hope we can reduce the infestations and prevent infestation of the most valuable sections of the Refuge. Unfortunately two large flowering plants were found in isolated locations deep in the Refuge along Sunkhaze Stream in 2011. We hand-pulled those and did not see any along the stream in 2012. We will need to be vigilant and the more eyes we have out there, the better. Thus, we invite you to visit Sunkhaze Meadows every summer. Enjoy a hike or relaxing paddle, but be sure to keep that purple search image in the back of your mind the whole time. Then, don’t forget to tell us about it!

While the Friends group continues to work on monitoring and removal of plants, we greatly appreciate additional location information on loosestrife to help combat its spread and volunteers are always in need.  Please contact us at: info@sunkhaze.org.

The Friends group has developed at brochure entitled “The Purple Plague: What to do and Why…”

For more information about the Refuge or the Friends group, visit us at http://sunkhaze.org or connect with us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSunkhaze.

For the second time, the major national invasive species coordinating groups will present national invasive species awards during National Invasive Species Awareness Week of 2013 (March 3-8, 2013)  in order to recognize important partners, increase media and public attention for invasive species issues, and as a team-building exercise.  The second National Invasive Species Achievement Awards will be presented on behalf of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) and the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds (FICMNEW). In 2012 awards were presented in the categories of leadership, volunteerism and outreach/education. Five non-monetary awards were presented in these categories (award recipient summary (PDF)).

In 2013, non-monetary awards will again be presented for outstanding achievement in the categories of leadership, volunteerism and education/outreach.  An additional category of  Lifetime Achievement will be added.  In 2013, anyone may submit a nomination or multiple nominations for the awards.  Awardees for both terrestrial and aquatic achievement may be selected for each category, if warranted.   One representative from the aforementioned groups (for a total of five) will be asked to serve on the selection committee to identify recipients of the awards.  Awards will consist of an eco-friendly plaque recognizing accomplishments of the recipients.

The Awards Overview (PDF) describes the awards and the selection criteria.  The 2013 Nomination Form (Word) provides a template to submit a nomination of either a group, organization or individual.

Nominations must be received by email or fax by C.O.B. Monday, January 21, 2013.

This is a chance to recognize the excellent work of your colleagues and partners. Please forward this information to others who may be interested in submitting a nomination. Fax # is 202-371-1751. Email:  Lori_Williams@ios.doi.gov

Maine’s Vital Signs community had an incredible summer with species observations rolling in from China Lake, Long Cove, Narraguagus Bay, Kezar Lake, Horseshoe Pond, Casco Bay, and more! We’re gearing up for the biggest fall field season yet with schools participating from Madawaska to York, Stratton to Baileyville.

From Gulf of Maine Research Institute – Vital Signs, 2012

The community will be using recently updated species ID cards as they take to local freshwater, coastal, and upland ecosystems to tackle Field Missions. For years we have been dreaming of the day when all of our ID card photos and content are generated by Vital Signs participants. We took a first big leap towards that big dream this summer.

35 cards were updated or built from scratch
35 VS participants now have their photos on ID cards (58 new photos total)
13 schools are now noted on species cards for their contributions

Ruthie Hawley, our master intern from Colby College, made these updates happen. This summer she searched the database to find appropriate photos for each species, and updated text as necessary (whenever we see misidentifications happen, we try to figure out how to improve the ID cards to be more helpful).

These cards provide a much improved resource for identification, and represent the statewide Vital Signs effort. Some cards, like Japanese knotweed, now have photos taken by in southern Maine, central Maine, AND northern Maine all on one card! How cool is that?

Check out the cards! …and while you’re cruising the site, please leave a comment for these participants to thank them for their contribution to ensuring great data quality!

COASTAL SPECIES

orange sheath tunicate, Botrylloides violaceus
photos contributed by C21 (Falmouth MS) and seasaw (Falmouth MS)

green crab, Carcinus maenas
photos contributed by cjt (Biddeford HS) and Julia Beatty (Yarmouth HS)

From Gulf of Maine Research Institute – Vital Signs, 2012

Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus
photos contributed by Team Rocket! (Falmouth MS), Rock3 (Loranger MS), and MSK CV (Middle School of the Kennebunks)

Knotted wrack, Ascophyllum nodosum
photos contributed by Rock3 (Loranger MS), Phe Coast (Falmouth MS), Neon Replay (Falmouth MS)

Bladder wrack, Fucus vesiculosus
photos contributed by 029 and 047 (Falmouth MS)

Common periwinkle, Littorina littorea
photos contributed by msk_beach_FM2 (Middle School of the Kennebunks)

Smooth periwinkle, Littorina obtusata
photos contributed by manyeyes

Rough periwinkle, Littorina saxatilis
photos contributed by GMRIAdventureClub

American lobster, Homarus americanus
photos contributed by ibla (Vinalhaven School), MSK_LL (Middle School of the Kennebunks)
sketch contributed by G. Nisbet (King MS)

UPLAND SPECIES

Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica
photos contributed by 51JD71 (Massabesic MS), potassium (James F Doughty MS), and shamcd16 (Madawaska MS)

Giant knotweed, Fallopia sachalinensis
photos contributed by gbh

Lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus
photos contributed by parkway5 (Camden-Rockport MS), Bluehillgardener,Lamontagne (Biddeford HS), and bandl1663 (Madawaska MS)

Common reed, Phragmites australis
photos contributed by Ruth Maclean (King MS) and 031 (Falmouth MS)

Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica
content and photos contributed by 7HW2 (Massabesic MS)

Cow parsnip, Heracleum maximum
photos contributed by LeafPeeper

Multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora
photos contributed by TimSeed (Waynflete Lower School), invasive upland(Loranger MS), HadwinRachelBradley (Hebron Academy), manyeyes

From Gulf of Maine Research Institute – Vital Signs, 2012

Black swallowwort, Cynanchum louiseae
photos contributed by gbh

FRESHWATER SPECIES

Variable watermilfoil, Myriophyllum heterophyllum
photos contributed by rchawley, the Wild Carrot

Little floating heart, Nymphoides cordata
photos contributed by EyesOnTheWater

Spatterdock, Nuphar variegata
photos contributed by EyesOnTheWater

In the marine world, invasive species are very hard to detect and often impossible to eradicate. The key is always in preventing introductions, but if that fails, we need to mitigate impacts where possible. In order to accomplish this we must understand their basic biology and environmental preferences.

Invasive ascidians compete with shellfish for food and space (Felipe Paredes)

Maine’s estuaries are unique ecosystems with a long history of introductions of non-native species. These systems have dramatically changed due to introduced mobile species such as the periwinkle snail, L. littorea and the green crab, Carcinus maenas, both introduced centuries ago. Recently, non-native colonial and solitary invertebrates have been increasing in abundance along the coast of Maine! Some of the most common species are ascidians, or “sea squirts,” which are filter feeders attached to hard substrates. These recent invaders not only threaten native marine communities but also foul suspended and bottom aquaculture gear (nets, floats, cages) and often successfully compete with cultured shellfish for food and space. Shellfish farmers try to mitigate losses from invasive ascidians by exposing gear to air or by replacing the gear. Both options are time consuming and expensive in materials and labor.

Despite the economic impact of these introduced fouling species to aquaculture, we know remarkably little about what drives the “bloom and bust” in their populations. There are no studies of seasonal timing, distribution in estuaries and rate of colonization by this group. The project “Mitigating invasive ascidian impacts on Maine’s shellfish aquaculture industry” has the goal of determining the seasonal patterns in settlement and growth of the dominant non-native ascidians in the Damariscotta River, the heart of Maine’s multimillion dollar oyster industry. The basic idea was to collect information to help minimize interactions of invasive ascidians with the shellfish aquaculture industry.

Colonies of invasive Golden star ascidians (Botryllus schlosseri) at the center and the orange or red sheath ascidians (Botrylloides violaceus) (Felipe Paredes)

We deployed hundreds of settlement plates at 1 meter depth at different sites along the Damariscotta River (approx. 20 km long) and measured environmental parameters such as salinity and temperature. We found extremely high abundances of invasive ascidians in all areas but with different patterns of dominance. In the upper section of the estuary, with temperatures that can reach up to 25ºC, there is an early settlement (July) and dominance of colonial ascidians such as Botrylloides and Botryllus. The mid sections of the estuary are dominated by solitary ascidians, such as Ciona, Ascidiella and Styela, which settle later (August-September) and add extra weight to aquaculture gear. The lower section of the estuary, with “coastal” salinities and temperatures, is dominated by the short lived Diplosoma, and other colonial species.

Common to all stations was Didemnum, a well-known and aggressive colonial ascidian which adapts to many different conditions. Compared to other estuaries, such as the Kennebec and the Sheepscot – where invasive species are rare or absent , Damariscotta’s relatively low freshwater discharges and higher water temperatures might provide benign conditions to invasive ascidians, which nurtured the distribution, abundance and diversity of non-native species in fouling communities. Project funded by Maine SeaGrant.

At Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (RCNWR), wildlife comes first. One of the biggest threats to native wildlife, at RCNWR and abound, are invasive plant species. From devising non-chemical removal methods for the phragmites that’s choking up salt marshes, to releasing Galerucella beetles to reduce purple loosestrife, invasive species eradication takes a significant amount of man-hours, materials, and money. Knowing this, RCNWR is heeding to the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and recruiting help from all over with nipping these invasions in the bud.

Early detection is crucial to invasive species management. With many invasive species right at Maine’s border, RCNWR is bulking up on its efforts to catch plants that are already a problem for our neighbors. Simply “by increasing resources to detect invasive species, [we]  may increase [our] chances of finding a species at a smaller population level, lessening the extent of damages and making subsequent control potentially less expensive and more effective.” (1)There are a number of plants on RCNWR’s radar. The top six of concern include perennial pepperweed, Japanese stilt grass, porcelain berry, yellow flag iris, kudzu and Mile-a-Minute.

Perennial pepperweed is a problem for our neighbors to the south. Let’s not let it become a problem for Maine, too. (Photo courtesy: Anne Gilmore, RCNWR)

RCNWR cannot catch early invasions alone. Rather, our most valuable resources are the citizens who already spend time in the habits of invasives.  For example, kayakers can be a vital invasives watchdog by patrolling waterways for plants whose seed travel downstream, perennial pepperweed being an example. Gardeners are needed to watch their own yards and to educate others about buying native alternatives to popular invasive cultivars. The Department of Transportation and Public Works Department employees are regularly working around a favorite spot for invasives: roadsides. The uniqueness of their work place is invaluable in early detection.

Ultimately, it takes minimal effort to educate and catch invasions early-on relative to the time, money, and materials it takes to eradicate an infestation of invasive species. With so much land to look after and so many vectors of travel, it is necessary to educate people with a range of vocations and avocations to keep an eye out. Join us in detecting, reporting, and removing early invaders.

The Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP), a cooperative effort between federal and state agricultural and forestry officials, has been renewed for 2011 and 2012 thanks to Farm Bill funding.  The project was conceived after the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) discovery in Massachusetts in 2008, with the realization that, had there been more public awareness, the beetle would have been reported much earlier.  Maine has participated in this project since 2009 through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Maine Department of Agriculture.  Now, approximately 15 states in the eastern region are participating in FPOSP.

Asian longhorn beetle adult (Melody Keena, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org)

Since 2009, Maine has trained over 150 individuals to not only look for invasive tree pests, like the ALB and the emerald ash borer, but to also spread awareness of these pests to their constituents and members of their communities.  Types of outreach events that have been conducted range from displaying information at trades shows, hanging posters in town offices, dropping off bookmarks at local libraries, giving presentations to land trusts and other environmental groups, and surveying public lands.  Over 700 events around the state either centered around invasive tree pest awareness, or displayed information about invasive tree pests.  We are certain that much more outreach is being conducted than we are aware of.

For this third year, we are focusing our outreach efforts at school age children and under-served areas of the state, such as Aroostook and Washington counties.  We are hoping to have trainings in both counties in the spring.  Much has happened already with K-12 outreach; two classes at the Narraguagus High School in Harrington were trained to look for ALB, EAB and hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and surveyed the school property for signs of these insects.  The students have also participated in community outreach.  The 5^th grade class at the China Middle School have spent their fall term researching, writing, illustrating and publishing a children’s book about ALB.  Hard copies of the book should be available by early March.

Other efforts this year to increase awareness include setting up geocaches stocked with our outreach materials, and training boy scouts to recognize signs and symptoms of ALB, EAB and HWA.

If anyone is interested in helping to spread awareness of these pests, please contact the Maine Department of Agriculture, or go to http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/pestsurvey/pestinfo/ALB/ALBvolunteers.htm

Karen Coluzzi

Karen.l.coluzzi@maine.gov

207-287-7551

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), now in its third year, is an awareness week that will be marked by national, state and local events, including a major conference in Washington D.C., a public meeting by the National Invasive Species Council, Capitol Hill briefings on aquatic invasive species, and updates by federal agencies on important invasive species issues and initiatives. A number of activities related to invasive species and available to the public are taking place during the week. Events include presentations, surveys for invasive forest pests, a short film screening and the 13th Maine Milfoil Summit in Lewiston focusing on the sustainability of control efforts.

Eurasian milfoil infestation blocks light, clogs boat props and can ruin fishing and other recreational opportunities while easily spreading from lake to lake (Photo: Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org)

More information on NISAW week and events will be posted as further details are available. Check the NISAW page for updates and the “10 ways to observe NISAW in Maine“!

• To lean more about invasive species in Maine, check out some of the resources of the Maine Invasive Species Network: identification resources, invasive species maps, videos and news.

A report was recently published in the Journal of the  Torrey Botanical Society, detailing a survey of invasive plants at the Penobscot Experimental Forest near Bradley, Maine. The study analyzed spatial distribution of non-native invasives and potential causal factors. A full PDF version is available of the report at the link below:

Olson, E. L Kenefic, AC Dibble and J Brissette. 2011. Nonnative invasive plants in the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine, USA: Influence of site, silviculture, and land use history.  Journal of the  Torrey Botanical Society 138: 4, pp. 453-464

http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2011/nrs_2011_olson_001.pdf

Meeting minutes are currently available for the Northeastern invasive species IPM group that convened last November in Amherst, MA to discuss regional invasive species priorities. The group includes representatives from each of the New England states as well as New York. Visit the Northeastern IPM site for group member information and meeting minutes.