5-2 IAN Invasion

 The Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s Invasive species department  sent out information regarding surveys for invasive pests and diseases that threaten Idaho’s agriculture and natural resources. Invasive threats to Idaho include aquatic weeds and mussels, terrestrial noxious weeds, and exotic plant diseases and insects. ISDA also assists in the management of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets on Idaho rangeland, and conducts nursery and seed field inspections to protect Idaho’s resources and market access. I called up Jodie Ellis who is an entomologist and invasive species coordinator. “It sounds like we are under attack. We are under attack and it is because of global trade and climate change.”

 The department published an annual report called, 2011 Invasive Species, Plant Pest and Plant Health Summary Report.” which   provides a close look at many of the division’s efforts to survey and manage invasive species such as quagga mussel, gypsy moth, Japanese beetle and Eurasian water milfoil.

This report demonstrates the many battle lines against invasive species that threaten Idaho.  In view of the above stated climate change there were some unsettling words from Jodie: “It is going to get uglier than you can imagine.”