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Events

17th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
San Diego, California
August 29 -
September 02, 2010
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North American Weed Management Association 2010 Conference & Trade Show
Pueblo, CO
September 27-30, 2010
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News

EAB continues to spread. August 10
It was announced today that the emerald ash borer has now been confirmed in the southwestern Monroe Co. Town of Chili.

Lake Calumet (City of Chicago) Asian Carp likely planted there. August 6
Researchers say indications are that it did not get past electronic barrier. More…

Catskill Forest Preserve newest home to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) August 4
Two counties added to infested list (Greene & Livingston); 19 sites located in Ulster Co. More…

Impacts and recommendations related to EAB in Steuben & Ulster Cos., NY. July 27, 2010
NY Forest Health Advisory Council special statement. More...

CCE EAB Identification Protocol Updated July 27, 2010
Describes CCE role in assiting public in EAB identification. More...

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) found in Steuben & Ulster Counties. July 22
DEC and Ag & Markets announce new sightings in Town of Bath and Town of Saugerties. More…

Invasive Forest Insect Pests in New York State" DVD
Produced by the American Wildlife Conservation Foundation, this new DVD is available in hardcopy or be viewed on the web. More…

Welcome to NYIS.INFO, the website of the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse. NYIS.INFO is your gateway to science-based information, breaking news, and new and innovative tools to prevent, detect, control and manage biological invaders in New York. NYIS.INFO links scientific research, State and Federal management programs and policy information, outreach education and grassroots invasive species action to help you become part of the battle against invasive species in and around New York.

Catskill Forest Preserve new Home to Emerald Ash Borers

Click here to read August 4th DEC press release

Click bug to visit our Emerald Ash Borer Resources Page

The National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse Aquatic Invasive Species Database is now part of NYIS.INFO. Click here to search the database.

Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

What is an invasive species? The Executive Summary of the National Invasive Species Management Plan defines an invasive species as “a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” This definition was adopted in the 2005 Final Report of the NYS Invasive Species Task Force. The Task Force refined the definition stating that to be considered “invasive”, a non-native species‛ harm must significantly outweigh any benefits.

Why should New Yorkers care about invasive species? Invasive species affect the lives of all New Yorkers and we pay a significant price to deal with them. Invasive species damage our crops and infrastructure, cause power failures and food and water shortages, harm the environment, and cause human and livestock diseases. For example, controlling Asian longhorned beetles in New York City and Long Island has cost between $13 million and $40 million per year since 1996. Zebra mussels have caused hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage in the Great Lakes since their introduction in 1988.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

What other invasive species are in New York? Some of the species already having a major impact on NY include: round gobies, Asian shore crabs, Phragmites (the common reed), Eurasian watermilfoil, Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, mile a minute vine, purple loosestrife, water chestnut, viral hemorrhagic fever (a fish disease) and West Nile virus. Scores more are just on our doorstep. [See the species list in the left hand navigation bar of this website.]

Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Mute Swan (Cygnus Color)

Photo credits:

David Jude, University of Michigan

Emerald ash borer - David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org

Japanese knotweed - Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Mute swan - Meghan O'Neill