Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: frustrated

Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus

Apparently people haven't learned the lesson "Do not introduce foreign species" from dandelions, kudzu, killer bees, etc.  Now they're introducing genetically engineered eucalyptus to northern Florida.  The gengineering was done to make the trees frost-resistant.  In other words, they removed the primary safety catch that prevents the trees from spreading.  Not a good idea.
Tags: nature, news
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  • 42 comments
...go 2 levels up... Expand
ysabetwordsmith

Yes...

ysabetwordsmith

June 9 2010, 20:25:23 UTC 11 years ago

And here we have zebra mussels:
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/zebramussel.shtml

In fact, this whole website is a database of bad ideas that are now causing serious environmental problems:
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

I was particularly taken by this article about money and population driving the invasions:
http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2010/jun/follow-money-wealth-population-are-key-drivers-invasive-species
endlessrarities

Re: Yes...

endlessrarities

June 9 2010, 20:36:33 UTC 11 years ago

And still it goes on.

The latest Bright Idea here is the introduction of a small beetle which feeds exclusively on Japanese Knotweed...

Oh, and then there's the Harlequin Ladybird, which supposedly can't survive British winters. It's munching its way through everything, including our own native ladybirds. Surprise, surprise - they recently found a Harlequin that overwintered in Glasgow!
ysabetwordsmith

Re: Yes...

ysabetwordsmith

June 9 2010, 21:14:12 UTC 11 years ago

>> The latest Bright Idea here is the introduction of a small beetle which feeds exclusively on Japanese Knotweed...<<

Well, that's marginally less stupid than introducing an insect that eats Japanese Knotweed and other things. But did they test to make sure the beetle won't decide that something over here is tastier? I doubt it.

>> Oh, and then there's the Harlequin Ladybird, which supposedly can't survive British winters. It's munching its way through everything, including our own native ladybirds. Surprise, surprise - they recently found a Harlequin that overwintered in Glasgow!<<

Yee. I hate those. They reached plague proportions here late last summer, and they sure did persist through winter. I finally had to bring out bug spray to kill the dozens in the house. I am most displeased.

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