Post by jeaniebueller on Jun 30, 2015 14:41:50 GMT -5
EAB is already all over Michigan and killed most of the ash trees. As far as I can see, there are studies done but they aren't doing anything like importing bugs to stop it. We are just dealing with removing ash trees either before they are infected or after they are dead. CO's plan sounds like a terrible idea.
KENT Our top story, the population of parasitic tree lizards has exploded, and local citizens couldn't be happier! It seems the rapacious reptiles have developed a taste for the common pigeon, also known as the 'feathered rat', or the 'gutter bird'. For the first time, citizens need not fear harassment by flocks of chattering disease-bags.
Later, Bart receives an award from Mayor Quimby outside the town hall. Several lizards slink past.
QUIMBY For decimating our pigeon population, and making Springfield a less oppressive place to while away our worthless lives, I present you with this scented candle.
Skinner talks to Lisa.
SKINNER Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
LISA But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
SKINNER No problem. We simply unleash wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
LISA But aren't the snakes even worse?
SKINNER Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
LISA But then we're stuck with gorillas!
SKINNER No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.
Emerald ash borers are not native to the US and eradication programs are pretty tricky using chemical or cultural controls. Introducing a pest's natural enemies is not just something that is done without any forethought. It requires extensive research under quarantine conditions. They ensure that that natural enemies (in this case, the wasps) are specific to the target (emerald ash borers). This means that they won't be able to survive without the emerald ash borer. It requires full cooperation and monitoring with the USDA.
These programs have been very successful in the past (or they have been duds). I'll try to dig up some articles on success stories--I know there was one moth species accidentally introduced in Massachusetts that they had a lot of success controlling. It has really nasty uricating hairs and was, quite frankly, a health hazard.
It's really unfair to compare these programs to what happened with the cane toad in Australia. Virtually no vetting was done there and cane toads are generalists and will eat about anything (please, please watch the Cane Toads documentary, it's amazing).
EAB is already all over Michigan and killed most of the ash trees. As far as I can see, there are studies done but they aren't doing anything like importing bugs to stop it. We are just dealing with removing ash trees either before they are infected or after they are dead. CO's plan sounds like a terrible idea.
Dude. DO NOT BRING WASPS IN HERE. I am so allergic and I swear I am stung twice a year. NewOrleans's pic is right. Those fuckers will follow you into your house and fuck you up.
"Not gonna lie; I kind of keep expecting you to post one day that you threw down on someone who clearly had no idea that today was NOT THEIR DAY." ~dontcallmeshirley
Hey speaking of this, that show Zoo is on right now, about some virus that turns animals into murderous um..animals. It is pretty bad and amazing at the same time.
Hey speaking of this, that show Zoo is on right now, about some virus that turns animals into murderous um..animals. It is pretty bad and amazing at the same time.
Hey speaking of this, that show Zoo is on right now, about some virus that turns animals into murderous um..animals. It is pretty bad and amazing at the same time.
Oh shoot did that start? I missed it.
I think it started at 9 so it's still going on!
I'm pretty sure you haven't missed any major plot points.
I'm pretty sure you haven't missed any major plot points.
Yeah but the kids are watching a movie and I'd rather catch up later than listen to the whining. I read the book, but I also know Bob Benson is in this!
Ugh, introducing foreign species ALWAYS goes well. This seems short sighted. Have they tried other solutions first?
We had a big problem with some sort of pest here killing pine trees about a decade ago (I think it was some sort of beetle too) that resulted in hundreds of hectares of forest being clearcut and strategically burnt. At one point I think pines might have been on an endangered species list, but that may have been hearsay. The mountains look bare in many places still, but the trees are growing back now and no predator wasps to deal with now!
Ugh, introducing foreign species ALWAYS goes well. This seems short sighted. Have they tried other solutions first?
We had a big problem with some sort of pest here killing pine trees about a decade ago (I think it was some sort of beetle too) that resulted in hundreds of hectares of forest being clearcut and strategically burnt. At one point I think pines might have been on an endangered species list, but that may have been hearsay. The mountains look bare in many places still, but the trees are growing back now and no predator wasps to deal with now!
There are wasps! Pine beetles are native to North America and coevolved with their natural enemies here.
Since emerald ash borer did not evolve here, humans are bringing in their natural predators. These wasps are very small and stingless. They have been trying to manage emerald ash borer hard core for years. In fact, they released stingless wasps starting eight years ago to control emerald ash borer.
I was just in CO and was surprised at how many dead trees there were in Rockie Mountain National Park. It looked like 1 lightening strike from a massive forest fire.
The pine beetle infestation completely changed the character of our high alpine forests. 20 years ago it was all thick, tall pines. For a good five or six years it was ghastly and depressing. They finally cleared out a lot of dead trees and the aspens filled in the gaps. Now that they're more mature, it looks pretty again (especially in the autumn) but not at all how it used to look. Or smell
I was there 2 weeks ago and whole sides of mountains had dead trees
I was just in CO and was surprised at how many dead trees there were in Rockie Mountain National Park. It looked like 1 lightening strike from a massive forest fire.
Hold up. Why didn't you stop to see me?!
Those are a different beetle than what is being talked about here.
I was tempted but I was with my charming sisters..... We were in Grand Lakes for 1/2 the trip and 1/2 near Salida
I was just in CO and was surprised at how many dead trees there were in Rockie Mountain National Park. It looked like 1 lightening strike from a massive forest fire.
The pine beetle infestation completely changed the character of our high alpine forests. 20 years ago it was all thick, tall pines. For a good five or six years it was ghastly and depressing. They finally cleared out a lot of dead trees and the aspens filled in the gaps. Now that they're more mature, it looks pretty again (especially in the autumn) but not at all how it used to look. Or smell
There are still tons and tons of uncleared forest with standing dead trees. The place where we got married 9 years ago looks really sad today.
Ugh, introducing foreign species ALWAYS goes well. This seems short sighted. Have they tried other solutions first?
We had a big problem with some sort of pest here killing pine trees about a decade ago (I think it was some sort of beetle too) that resulted in hundreds of hectares of forest being clearcut and strategically burnt. At one point I think pines might have been on an endangered species list, but that may have been hearsay. The mountains look bare in many places still, but the trees are growing back now and no predator wasps to deal with now!
There are wasps! Pine beetles are native to North America and coevolved with their natural enemies here.
Since emerald ash borer did not evolve here, humans are bringing in their natural predators. These wasps are very small and stingless. They have been trying to manage emerald ash borer hard core for years. In fact, they released stingless wasps starting eight years ago to control emerald ash borer.