Worksheet: Invasive Species Lecture

Fire Ants

1. From where and when were these ants introduced to the US?

From Argentina; in the as early as 1918; Mobile, AL area

2. What are two possible biological control agents?

A parasitoid a type of phorid flies, or hover flies, have been used. “Thus far, three species of decapitating flies (phorid flies) have been released in Alabama: Pseudacteon tricuspis, Pseudacteon curvatus, and Pseudacteon litoralis.” These flies attack the workers. See figures 5 and 6.

A parasitic protozoa has also been used. “The microsporidian Kneallhazia solenopsae is a microbial pathogen

(disease-causing agent). It infects all growth stages of the fire ant (Figure 8) but has its most debilitating effect on the fire ant queen. Infected queens slowly stop laying eggs and eventually die prematurely. Depending on the number of infected queens, colonies can succumb to this pathogen in 6 to 12 months.” See figure 8.

Source: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1149/

Asian Carp

3. Why were these fish imported into the US?They were introduced into fish ponds to control aquatic weeds.

4. When and where did they escape? They escaped in the early 1990’s from ponds in Arkansas and adjoining states.

5. What do the carp do to an ecosystem? They feed on the primary producers and eliminate food for other fish species. The ecosystem goes into a trophic cascade and reduces the biodiversity on the system.

6. What method is in place to attempt to prevent the carp from over running the Great Lakes?An electrical fence is in place in the shipping channel leading from the Illinois River to the Great

Lakes just a few miles from Chicago.

Kudzu

7. Name three ways that we can benefit from Kudzu.

Feed livestock (cows and goats); extract medicine (anti withdrawal compounds, alcohol withdrawal); and to make jelly from the blossoms.

Gambian Pouched Rats

8. Why should we be concerned about these animals?

They are vectors for Monkey Pox; there is an established colony on Grassy Key, FL

Burmese Pythons

9. How was the Python population established in the EGNP?From the pet trade; escapees and releasees

10. How far north can these snakes survive? As far north as Washington, DC and on the west coast, to Northern California