GoGardenNews - Items of gardening and ecological interest — invasive species

Invasive exotic species are considered one of the main causes of the current biodiversity crisis. In recent years, humans have introduced 200 species of ant from outside of their natural area of distribution and some of them have become invasive. Such is the case of the Asian needle ant, Brachyponera chinensis, which has seen its area of distribution greatly expand in the last 80 years.

State forestry officials are warning people to be on the lookout for “one of the 10 worst weeds in the world” as spring blooms across Georgia.

Heavenly Bamboo - aka Nandina - was once considered to be a stellar selection for landscapes. Evergreen foliage, long-lasting red berries and exotic appearance made it very popular.

However, it has made its way uninvited into woodlands, displacing native plants, and the berries can poison birds.

Poison Hemlock is spreading across the U.S.

(Photo credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Since first being reported in the United States, Asian Longhorned Ticks have been found in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Here's what you need to know: