Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Of Iowa

Table of Contents Page 2- General information Vertebrates Page 3- Cane Toad (Rhinella Marina) Page 4- Brown Tree (Boiga irregularis) Page 5- European Starling (Sturnus Vulgans) Invertebrates Page 6- Africanized Honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) Page 7- Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) Page 8- Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) Page 9- Economic Impacts

What is an Invasive Species?

Invasive species can harm an environment greatly. The different animals are detrimental to human resources, as well as animal resources. The aggressive quality of most of these animals is what causes them to be able to destroy whole populations of plants, animals, and other resources in an unfamiliar, but common habitat.

Most invasive species are not from their current habitat, but the environment may be similar to the quality of living they are used to.

Cane Toad Rhinella Marina

Coming from Australia the cane toad is a venomous animal that can live up to 10 years. At first, the cane toad was introduced to reduce the population of a certain kind of beetle.

The cane toad has a dry and their skin is covered in warts.

Unattractive animals, that breed easily to make capturing the population of them difficult (Cane).

Brown Tree Snake Bioga Irregularis

Unlike the cane toad the Brown Tree Snake is practically harmless. Although the two animals have the same origin. The brown tree snake comes from Australia, as well, and is more prominent in northern Europe rather than America.

This type of snake is attracted to the habitat of Iowa for the grassy area, rather than forest (The).

European Starling Sturnis Vulgaris

The European Starling was brought to America back during the time of Shakespeare. They can be recognized by their short tails and stocky bodies. Although these birds are pretty, they are known for being aggressive (All).

Africanized Honey Bee Apis Mellifera Scutellata

This honey bee is one of the many species of the hybrid European Honey bee. This particular type is harder to get rid of than the common honey bee.

Another way to differentiate the two types is the aggressiveness of the bee. The Africanized honey bee is extremely aggressive and protective of their colony. They swarm in large numbers if harmed(Africanized).

Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes Albopictus

This kind of mosquito was found for the first time in Virginia and is since then spreading across America rapidly. These mosquitos have silvery legs instead of the common black.

Cactus Moth Cactoblastis Cactorum

Although these orange and black spotted moths are small, they can destroy a plant and it’s entire population. This type of moth can are capable to reproduce as much as three times a year. The Cactus Moth is more common in Argentina, but have been seen in America for a few years (Argentine).

Economic Impacts Invasive species are detrimental to reservation that they become common in.

Currently, invasive species are know to be the second leading threat to habitat and animal destruction (Nature).

The biodiversity in an area suffers greatly with an invasive species present.

Invasive species are capable of changing an entire food web and competing with some inhabitants for the same resources of living.

Our lifestyle of transportation between countries is what is making invasive species more prominent.

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Works Cited "Africanized Honey Bee(AHB)." Africanized Honey Bee(AHB). Web. 16 May 2012. <http://acwm.lacounty.gov/scripts/ahb.htm>.

"All About Birds." European Starling, Identification,. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/id >.

"Argentine Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis Cactorum)." Cactus Moth.

Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_cactusmoth.ph p>.

"The Brown Treesnake." The Brown Tree Snake. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.fort.usgs.gov/resources/education/bts/bioeco/btsnak e.asp>.

"Cane Toad." National Geographic. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/canetoad/>.

"An Invasive Species, Also Known as an Exotic or Nuisance Species, Is an Organism or Plant That Is Introduced into a New Environment, Where It Is Not Native." What Is an Invasive Species? Web. 16 May 2012. <http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/invasive.html>.

"NatureServe: Invasive Species." NatureServe: Invasive Species.

Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.natureserve.org/consIssues/invasivespecies.jsp>.