9 e The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, September 15, 1993 5 Jim Warman of Centermoreland with 'Tawny,' which won first place in the 4-H class and third place in open competi- tion. Scanlon, Danny Fiorpuselli. A. Case for conservation These 'alien' invaders are here to stay By ALENE N. CASE Think of a pest that you wish would disappear. It may be a bird, an insect, a plant, or a mammal. [ would wager that whatever it is, it used to live somewhere else. Let me give you several examples. Carp were imported from Asia toeatunwanted waterweeds. Now they keep many waterways so churned up that native species of fish cannot survive. Carp can, moreover, grow well in polluted waters and often give us a false sense of security about the health of a river or lake. The common city pigeon was originally from Asia and Europe. In the wild, it roosts on cliffs, but it has easily adapted to use the ledges of buildings instead. Star- lings and house sparrows were intentionally introduced from Europe during the last century. They also have adapted to city life and have taken over nesting sites formerly used by native birds such as woodpeckers, bluebirds and swallows. Most people know that the gypsy moth was accidentally re- leased by a scientist in Massa- chusetts. But, did you know that the common cabbage butterfly (the green “worm” that eats your gar- den broccoli) was also imported? So were the diseases that devas- tated the magnificent elm and chestnut trees earlier in this cen- tury. Imported plants that have become nuisances include purple loosestrife which is taking over freshwater marshes, kudzu which chokes out all other vegetation in many areas of the south, and Japanese knotweed which is a continuing headache for those trying to restore riverside areas to a more natural condition. In our yard, we have several Norway maple trees. They are gorgeous in the fall and were really the only large trees on the lot so we have taken care of them. Several years ago, I realized that these trees are considered to be “weed trees” by most foresters and urban plan- ners. They replace native maples that are stronger, more beautiful, and produce better lumber. (East- ern European foresters complain about black locust in the same way. It has tended to dominate after being introduced from Amer- ica.) But-you say-I was thinking of more dangerous pests such as mice and rats. Although several kinds of rodents are native to North America, the house mouse and Norway rat are both aliens. Both are originally from Asia. Both were stowaways on European ships coming to the New World. The house mouse was here by the end of the 16th century. Obviously, alien species do not always invade so as to become pests. Almost every yard or gar- den contains imported trees, shrubs, or herbs that originated somewhere else. Many of these do not reproduce naturally in the local climate. Even when they do, some are quite discreet about it - the date palm has not taken over Florida since its introduction from North Africa. The big problem is that one never knows what the consequences of an introduction will be. There are many reasons that ~ we'll come to your place. introduced species often cause ers. And, of course, the adult A trio of Harveys Lake boys took their turn on the Tilt-A-Whirl. From left, David Hu If you can't come to our place, problems. They may not have moths can fly. So, the northern In these impersonal, your prescription, What A Pharmacy Was Meant to B pe predators (other animals that eat hardwood forests never had a : tn : ' them) in the adopted region. The chance. self-serve limes, 130 J ast call and we'll native plants and animals have Most of these pests also repro- it nice to know that bring it to you. not developed pelea) Qolpnses duce rapidly and prolifically. The there are still places against them. The invaders are mouse is one of the more extreme i ' a adapted tolive in close examples. One female can have that deliver? Ji youre proximity to humans before they eight litters in one year. Each not feeling well arrive. litter can produce up to one dozen enough to pick up One of the most obvious rea- young. These young mice are sons that aliens are so successful reproductively mature by the time is that they are good travelers. they are one month old. Some We Accept Pace, Medicaid, PCS, That is usually how they got to basic arithmetic reveals a perpet- NPA, Blue Cross and Most Other their newlocationin thefirstplace. ual population explosion. And, Major Insurance Plans. The gypsy moth is a good ex- these immigrants have not re- ample. If it were not such a good duced the size of their families as : 9 traveler, itwould likely have eaten’ their two-legged counterparts cent The all the oak leaves in a localized have done)! aii al jul! sitoH tess sldabnd™®f area and then become extinct. The aliens have invaded, and I’ But, the small caterpillars are they are causing major problems PPE ; blown long distances hanging by for the native plants and animals . ARE threads that they spin afterhatch- aswell as for human beings. And, Dallas Shop P ng C enter ag ing. Whole egg cases hitch rides there isn't much that any of us jr on logs headed to sawmills, or in can do about it except to discour- 674-5577 x the wheel wells of camping trail- age new arrivals. M-F 9-6 « Sat. 9-1 : pres ©1992 Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. Gary M. Karwaski, RPh. ghes, Josh Er rE ws 7 A Sedate, Understated Expression Of What You Get With Our Loans. 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