Invasive Species

Invasive Phragmites is a perennial grass that grows very aggressively, out competing the surrounding native plants for water and nutrients. Phragmites releases toxins from its roots into the surrounding soil, hindering the growth of other plants and killing them. Phragmites prefer areas of standing water, but their massive roots allow them to survive in relatively dry areas, invasive Phragmites can grow up to 5 metres tall! 

·  Out competes native plants

·  Grows and spreads rapidly, using up water resources for other plants

·  Provides extremely poor habitat and food for other species 

·  Can pose fire hazards due to dead standing stalks

·  Hinders recreational activities such as boating, swimming and angling 

How to Identify Invasive Phragmites:

Identifying invasive Phragmites can be difficult, as the native species of Phragmites is very close in appearance. Native Phragmites does not grow as densely, or tall and has much more sparse seed heads than the invasive species. 

·  Grows in dense stands (200 stems per square metre)

·  Can reach heights of 5 metres

·  Has stems that are tan/beige with blue-green leaves and dense seed heads 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/phragmites-fact-sheet

Photo and Info from dfo.gc.ca The Banded Mystery Snail is a mollusc, part of the larger class Gastropoda. This freshwater snail is said to have been illegally introduced to North America by the aquarium trade. It is between 3.5 cm and 4 cm in size, has a thin, spherical shell, with whorls that wind clockwise, separated by deep sutures (lines of contact between the turns) and a colour ranging from yellow to a greenish brown with darker spiral bands. 

It can be found in water less than 3m deep, often along the shoreline. Currenty it is in the bay behind Ketchison Island. 

The Banded Mystery Snail is frequently the dominant species of invertebrate at its level in the food chain. Research, both in the laboratory and in ponds, has shown that this species feeds on fish eggs, such as largemouth bass eggs. Known to be an intermediate host for trematodes, this invading snail is involved in the spread of these parasites to waterfowl. The infection causes the inability to fly and eventually leads to the death of the host in most circumstances so is of utmost concern. In bodies of water where Banded Mystery Snail are found in large concentrations, fishing activities could be affected if one considers the predation of snails on fish eggs.

Photo and Info From InvadingSpecies.com Spongy moth is an insect native to Europe and Asia that has been severely weakening trees across North America. Spongy moth caterpillars defoliate host trees, mostly hardwood species, such as: oak, birch, poplar, willow, maple and others. During outbreak years, nearly all broadleaf trees may be completely defoliated, caterpillars appear everywhere, and “frass” (caterpillar droppings) appear to rain from the trees. 

Four development stages: egg, caterpillar, pupa and moth. Caterpillars are 5-6 centimetres long with five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of bright red dots along their back.

Female moths are white with dark markings and cannot fly. Male moths are brown and can fly. Females are larger than males with a 5 cm wing span, males only span 2.5 centimetres.

Egg masses are about 4 cm long, tan colored, and can be found on tree trunks, furniture, buildings, etc. Egg masses can be easily controlled by removing and burning or soaking with soap and water mixture. A band of either burlap or other cloth product wrapped around the trunk will provide a place for caterpillars to hide during the heat of the day. Check these bands regularly and scrape caterpillars into a container of soapy water.

Keep your trees healthy and better able to ward off attacks. In urban areas, water trees during dry spells and protect their root zone. In natural areas, good forestry practices will ensure healthier trees that are better able to withstand stresses such as defoliation.

Zebra Mussels are a well-known invasive species in Ontario. They are a freshwater bivalve that is native to Eurasia and have entered Ontario through ocean ships. They can rapidly inhabit hard and soft surfaces like docks, boats, and beaches. Zebra mussels are a harmful invasive species due to their ability to alter the aquatic food web by removing important food sources like plankton. By doing this, lake water becomes clearer allowing more sunlight to penetrate and increase aquatic plant growth. 

·  Alter food webs impacting aquatic species, like fish and aquatic birds

·  Increase aquatic plant growth, increase of toxic algae blooms 

·  Dangerous to human health due to their sharp edges which can cut swimmers 

How to Identify Zebra Mussels:

·  2-2.5 cm in length, can grow up to 4 cm

·  Sits flat on its underside

·  Triangle shaped

·  Zig-zag pattern, black/brown with white in colour 

·  Colour patterns can vary

http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/invertebrates/zebra-quagga-mussels/

Eurasian water-milfoil is a fast growing perennial that typically grows in shallow water but can grow in water up to 10 metres deep. This plant forms dense mats that can quickly spread by interbreeding with native milfoil plants. Water currents, boats and anglers can easily spread this plant to new areas without even realizing, since very small fragments of Eurasian water-milfoil can root and develop new plants. When the dense mats of Eurasian water-milfoil start to die off in the fall, the decaying plant can reduce the available oxygen levels in the water which primarily impacts fish species. 

·  Forms dense, quickly spreading mats that out compete with native species

·  Decaying plant uses large amounts of oxygen in the water, killing off fish 

·  Hinders recreational activities such as swimming, boating and angling 

How to Identify Eurasian water-milfoil: 

·  Grows under the waters surface

·  Has feather-like leaves than circle the main stem in groups of 4 or 5

·  Leaves have 12 or more thread-like segments

·  Small reddish flowers bloom above the surface of the water in late July, early August about 5-20 cm tall

Eurasian water-milfoil looks very similar to the native plant Northern water-milfoil, the main difference being Northern water-milfoil only has 11 or fewer thread-like segments on each leaf. 

https://docs.ontario.ca/documents/3218/stdprod-104400.pdf

photo: Department of Environmental Conservation Info from Invasive Species Centre

Starry Stoneworts (SSW) are a type of plant-like algae called macroalgae that live in freshwater. They can reach heights of up to 10 metres in the water column, and create dense mats called “pillows” that can become so thick that they replace native macroalgae, and displace aquatic plants and animals. Starry Stonewort can reproduce from small fragments broken from the main body, making recreational activities a key factor in spreading the species. Boat motors will cut SSW into fragments, which become rooted and grow. Improper cleaning of boats and trailers could take these fragments to new locations. Starry Stonewort can also be spread within the same waterbody through currents, waves, and recreational activities

Photo: Robert Videki Info: Hydrilla grows underwater with rooted stems and reaches up to 7.5 m high, with rows of three to eight tiny (1-2 cm) green leaves arranged in circles around the stem. Hydrilla leaves have serrated edges and prickly hairs on the underside. This invasive aquatic plant can dramatically degrade water quality, causing a decrease in native species by blocking sunlight, decreasing oxygen levels, raising pH levels, and increasing water temperature. It also makes swimming, boating, and fishing very difficult and decreases water flow, which can create mosquito breeding grounds and clog irrigation pump filters. Note: Hydrilla resembles native Canadian Waterweed. 

Photo: Frontenac Arch Biosphere Info: Invasive Species Centre

Water soldier is a submerged, perennial aquatic plant that has long, thin, serrated leaves that grow in a rosette formation. When present, flowers rise above the plant and have three white/green sepals and three white petals. The dense mats that form crowd out other vegetation and alter water chemistry, causing decreased biodiversity of native aquatic species. Water soldier can be submerged up to 5 m but floats to the surface in summer. This poses a threat to summer recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. Boat motors can break up plants allowing them to spread and invade new areas.

Similar to Giant hogweed, and a member of the carrot family, Wild parsnip grows in dense stands and can establish well in disturbed environments such as waste dumps, abandoned areas, open fields and meadows. Wild parsnip outcompetes native plants and reduces biodiversity. Wild parsnip sap can also cause serve burns when exposed to the sunlight. In the event of direct exposure to Wild parsnip, wash the affected area with soap and water. Keep the affected area out of sunlight, if dermatitis occurs, see a doctor. If Wild parsnip is exposed to your eyes immediately flush the eyes and see a doctor. 

For smaller infestations of Wild parsnip on your property (fewer than 100 plants), removal on your own may be possible with protective clothing and proper disposal of plants. For more information on the removal of Wild parsnip see the following link: https://docs.ontario.ca/documents/3249/stdprod-109232.pdf

How to identify Wild parsnip:

Like Giant hogweed, Wild parsnip grows in a low rosette for the first year. In the second year it grows upwards on a tall stalk and flowers, then dies off. 

·  Grows up to 1.5 metres tall

·  The single green stem is 2-5 cm thick and smooth with few hairs

·  Compound leaves arranged in pairs, sharply toothed leaflets that are shaped like a mitten

·  Yellowish-green flowers form umbrella-shaped clusters 10 to 20 cm across

photo credit David Cappaert Info from InvasiveSpeciesCentre.ca and 

InvadingSpecies.ca Garlic mustard is an edible herb native to Europe. Since its introduction, garlic mustard has spread throughout Ontario, parts of Quebec, and established populations in western and Atlantic Canada. Garlic mustard is one of Ontario’s most aggressive forest invaders, and threatens biodiversity. Garlic mustard grows in a wide range of habitats and spread quickly along roadsides, trails, and fence lines. Seeds fall close to the parent plants and are rarely dispersed by wind or water. The main pathway for seed spread over long distances is through humans and pets. 

Garlic mustard has two distinct life stages over its first two years. In the first year, it grows only a cluster of leaves shaped like a rosette, while a strong root system develops. Plants that survive the winter produce flowers and hundreds of seeds in their second year. Dense stands produce more than 60,000 seeds per square metre. Stands of garlic mustard can double in size every four years. Within 5-7 years, garlic mustard can enter, establish itself, and become the dominant plant in the forest understory. This is achieved by dispersing chemicals within the soil that prevent the growth of other plants and grasses.

Garlic mustard seeds are easily spread by people and animals. They can remain in the soil for up to 30 years and still be able to sprout. 

Once established, it can displace native wildflowers like trilliums (Trillium sp) and trout lily (Erythronium americanum). It hinders other plants by interfering with the growth of fungi that bring nutrients to the roots of the plants. It threatens several of Ontario’s species at risk, including American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), drooping trillium (Trillium flexipes), false rue-anemone (Enemion biternatum), hoary mountain mint (Pycnanthemum incanum), white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides) and wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum).Garlic mustard does not provide a valuable food source for native wildlife.

Giant hogweed is a perennial plant from the carrot family that was introduced to southern and central Ontario as a garden ornamental from southwest Asia. In ideal conditions, this plant can grow up to 5.5 metres tall in roadside, ditches, and streams. This plant poses serious human health risks as the toxins it produces can cause dermatitis and can result in severe burns if the sap is on the skin and exposed to sunlight. Symptoms typically occur within 48 hours and result in blisters, burns and purple scarring that can last for years. In the event of direct exposure to Giant hogweed, wash the affected area with soap and water. Keep the affected area out of sunlight, if dermatitis occurs, see a doctor. If Giant hogweed is exposed to your eyes immediately flush the eyes and see a doctor. 

Giant hogweed is a dangerous plant. It is important to seek professional help for management and removal if you locate Giant hogweed on your property. Please see the following link for more information: https://docs.ontario.ca/documents/3244/giant-hogweed-fact-sheet.pdf

How to Identify Giant hogweed:

·  First year the plant produces a rosette up to one metre tall

·  2-5 years the plant produces flowers and begins to grow upwards

·  Large hollow stem, large lobed leaves

·  Stem covered in reddish-purple flecks and stiff hairs filled with sap

·  Flowers once in its lifetime, produces up to 120,000 winged seeds

·  Seeds can travel 10 metres by wind, and float in streams for 3 days

Giant hogweed looks similar to both non-native Queen Anne’s lace and native Cow parsnip. 

photo credit David Cappaert Info from NRC & EDDMapS: The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle native to East Asia, including China and the Russian Far East. Most species of North American ash trees are very vulnerable to this beetle, which has killed millions of trees in Canada in forested and urban areas.

 The adult borer is a dark metallic green, ½ inch long.  The larvae are a cream flat tapeworm-like with bell shaped segments up to 1 inch in length.
Damage: crown decline; wood pecker activity including bark chips at base of tree, D-shaped exit holes in bark, serpentine shaped galleries under bark from phloem larvae feeding and epicormic sprouting at base of tree.
No North American natural predators, such as woodpeckers, other insects or parasites have been able to slow the spread of the emerald ash borer or keep trees from being killed by it.

Up to 99% of all ash trees are killed within 8-10 years once the beetle arrives in an area. Adults can fly and spread locally.

The moving of infested material causes long distance spread as does adult beetles hitchhiking on vehicles.

In forest habitats, losing the majority of ash trees can affect tree species composition, natural forest succession, and nutrient cycling. Habitats also become more vulnerable to invasion by exotic plants. After an infestation remaining beetles can kill new growth, jeopardizing forest recovery.Municipal governments are responsible for removing dead ash trees on urban land. Ash trees that are affected should be chemically treated or removed and replaced, which can be a significant economic burden.

Photo and info: Invasive Species Centre 

Beech bark disease (BBD) occurs as the result of an insect-fungus complex where an invasive beech scale insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga) feeds on the bark of the tree, creating cracks that allow a native canker fungi (Nectria) to enter. Between 50-85% of infected beech trees will die within 10 years of infestation. The scale is a yellow, soft-bodied insect that is approximately 0.5-1.0 mm long as an adult. Females are legless and wingless and use 2.0 mm stylets to attach themselves to the trees. During the nymph stage, the insects secrete a white woolly wax to cover their bodies. This can make the tree look like it’s covered in wool (Global Invasive Species Database, 2011). The scale will feed on the beech bark, creating punctures that, in turn, produce cracks on the surface of the bark. The fungus then has the ability to enter through the cracks and infect the tree. The fungus will cause small cankers that appear on the bark surface, from which small, orange-red fruiting bodies are produced in late summer and fall (OMNF, 2014).

Photo and info: Agriculture.canada

Needlecast is a fungal disease affecting spruce trees. The disease begins in the lower portion of the tree with infected needles being shed, causing branches to look sparse. Spore dispersal from infected needles occurs during wet weather in spring, spreading by rain from needles infected the previous season to newly emerging needles. Under suitable conditions, the disease gradually progresses up the tree continuing to cause loss of needles, leading to eventual decline of trees. Infected inner (2nd year) needles turn yellow, then purplish-brown by end of summer, with black fruiting bodies appearing in lines as they emerge from needles' stomatal pores. Most infected needles will be shed by fall, although some may remain attached, acting as an infection source the following spring. Repeated infections will cause trees to begin having a sparse looking interior and after 3-4 years of severe infection, branches may begin to die.

Oak Wilt has been confirmed in Canada in June of 2023. Click the photo for more information on Oak Wilt. 

Photo cred: Invasive Species Center

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is still a threat to our hemlock forests. We ask everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of infestations and report them (see below). 

Photo Cred: Invasive Species Centre

from InvasiveSpeciesCentre.ca Spotted lanternfly (SLF; Lycorma delicatula) is planthopper native to Southeastern Asia that has become an invasive insect pest in the United States. Its first known North American establishment was in Berks County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in September 2014, but it is likely this species was first introduced in 2012. SLF has yet to be detected in Canada. 

The adult insect feeds primarily on the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), although nymphs are known to feed on a wide range of native hardwood and fruit trees. Grapevines are a preferred host of SLF, which feed in large swarms. Currently, intense management efforts are underway in parts of the U.S. with a focus on public awareness, detection surveys, and eradication. If this species spreads to Canada, it could be a formidable threat to various industries and the economy, in particular the horticulture, tender fruit and grape product industries. 

If you live in, or have travelled though an area where Spotted Lanternfly is present please take precautions to check your vehicle and any items that sat for a period of time outdoors (such as camping equipment) for egg masses, nymphs or adults before returning. You can even run your vehicle through a high-pressure car wash. 

from InvasiveSpeciescentre.ca photo credit GUO Han Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is a parasitic plant that can cause significant damage to agricultural crops, vegetables, ornamentals and woody plants. 

CFIA researchers need your help to collect samples to create “DNA barcodes” for all dodder species found in Canada. This will help the CFIA better detect and manage this pest. f you see these plants, join the Cuscuta DNA barcoding project in iNaturalist and report your observations here.