Invasive Species

Originally posted August 26, 2016; edited July 10, 2018 Have you seen big green beetles in your California yard or garden? Or beetles feeding on your roses or other plants? There are many kinds of beetles commonly found in our landscapes, but the Japanese beetle is not one of them.

During California Invasive Species Action Week (June 2 June 10), we highlighted several pests, but there are many more invasive species out there. Now that you know about them, share your knowledge of invasive species with others.

This week, we put the spotlight on invasive species and how these non-native plants, animals, and pathogens damage California's economy and environment.

The red imported fire ant, or RIFA for short, is no ordinary red ant. This invasive pest lives up to its name, delivering a sting that causes a burning sensation when its venom is injected into the skin. People sometimes confuse RIFA with the native southern fire ant.

Shot hole borers are tiny insects the size of a sesame seed that don't look particularly harmful, but don't let their diminutive size fool you. Two of these borers are invasivethe polyphagous shot hole borer and the Kuroshio shot hole borer.

When people think of parasites, often what comes to mind are blood-sucking insects like bed bugs, head lice, and fleas or other bodily invaders on or in humans and other animals. But plants can have parasites too.

People in urban and suburban areas often use the term invasive to describe plants or weeds that appear to take over a garden or landscape. However, true invasive plants are weeds that infest ecosystems, rangelands, and pastureplaces common garden weeds don't thrive.

It may surprise you to learn that California is home to invasive wild pigs, also called feral hogs or wild boars. Wild pigs can be a major nuisance for farmers, ranchers, and others who live in more rural areas or near wildlands.

As part of our coverage of California Invasive Species Action Week, today we focus on a pair of invasive species that work together: an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid and the plant disease it can spread, huanglongbing.

Did you know that every 60 days, a new and potentially damaging invasive species enters California? California residents can help in the fight against invasive species by learning and participating next week (June 2-10) in the California Invasive Species Action Week.