Terminology
What is a native species?
A large Eurasian shrub with whitish flowers that is known for its aggressiveness. Because it can leaf out so early in Spring, it steals light from native flora.
What is Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle?
A metallic green and bronze beetle known for eating only the soft parts of foliage - leaving behind veiny, lacy leaf skeletons. They feed on a wide variety of plants.
What is a Japanese Beetle?
This market is partially responsible for the spread of invasive animals throughout the world. In the United States, it is not restricted well due to the amount of wealth it generates. The everglades are struggling against the aftermath of this market.
What is the exotic pet trade?
A plant or animal that is at risk for extinction.
What is an endangered species?
A popular tree used widely in landscaping, it doesn't support native Missouri insects and is prone to having weak branches.
What is a Callery (Bradford) Pear tree?
An aggressive mammal known for the widespread destruction it causes to crops, soil, and native animals. It often leaves behind pits and land that looks as if it's been tilled.
What are Feral Hogs?
These large fish originated from Asia, and were spread throughout the world for the pet trade, sport fishing, and food. They are particularly destructive with their feeding habits, as they stir up so much sediment a clear lake can quickly become murky - impacting the rest of the lake's ecosystem.
What are Asian carp?
A broad term used to describe a highly adaptable exotic species that outcompetes native flora and fauna.
What is an invasive species?
A large, thorny perennial shrub from Asia that produces white flowers in the Spring, and red berries that persist into the Winter. It also begins leafing out early in the Spring. It has been used as an ornamental garden plant.
What is Multiflora Rose?
A slender, metallic green beetle that is known for killing all types of Ash trees after leaving S-shaped patterns or holes within its bark.
This aquatic plant is known as one of the planet's worst weeds. Originating from the Amazon basin it has now invaded four major continents, including North America. Used decoratively in water gardens, it grows so quickly that it can completely blanket a pond.
What is water hyacinth?
A broad term used to describe generally unwanted fast-growing plants.
What is a nuisance species (or weed)?
A tall, fast growing tree known for causing skin rashes in some people, and also for smelling like cat urine or peanut-butter when its brittle branches are damaged. In Asia, it was known for its many medicinal uses.
What is Tree-of-Heaven?
A worrisome disease borne from an invasive fungi, carried by a native beetle that affects certain trees in North America.
What is Dutch Elm Disease? (Caused by Ophiostoma ulmi, carried by elm bark beetles)
These insects are not particular about their sappy trees, they have terrorized North American and European deciduous forests for decades. They can burrow deeply into bark, almost always resulting in large areas of dead trees.
What is the Asian Long-horned Beetle?
This term is used to describe an area that is dominated by a single plant species. It is damaging for bio-diversity.
What is a monoculture?
A warm-season perennial legume with woody stems and an upright, "fishbone-like" pattern. It produces pinkish flowers, and is quite hardy due to having a deep taproot. Grazing animals find it unpalatable.
What is Sericea lespedeza?
Although this European moth has only sporadic sightings in Missouri so far, biologists estimate it will be a major concern for our oak forests by 2030. Travelers to infected states (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, etc.) are advised to check their vehicles to avoid spreading the eggs or pupae.
What is a Gypsy Moth?
This species of plant is often referred to as the most invasive in the whole world, capable of growing to cover entire trees in a monoculture of itself. It was intentionally spread in the early 1900s as a means to end soil erosion and feed livestock.
What is Kudzu (the vine that ate the south)?