On June 2, 2008, the TIPPC became formally established in the State of Texas. Way to go Texas! For more information see here.

The National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) has developed an educational program for crop consultants, county extension educators, and for those who monitor the health of crops.  These programs provide training for "First Detectors" - people who are trained to have a heightened awareness to the potential for exotic pests or diseases.  Their training sessions and online training modules provide a good resource for people interested in acting as First Detectors.  You can find more information about the program at the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory or can jump directly to the NPDN Training Site for First Detectors. 

We are constantly looking for images to illustrate species of regulatory concern.  There are a few Federal Noxious Weeds that we have had a hard time finding images for.  There are also a number of species that we would like more images of.  If you have any images of the species listed below that you would like to share, please contact Joe LaForest.

ye gu (Aeginetia indica)
yerba de hierro (Alectra fluminensis)
onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus)
animated oat (Avena sterilis)
golden false beardgrass (Chrysopogon aciculatus)
bigfruit dodder (Cuscuta megalocarpa)
globe dodder (Cuscuta potosina globifera)
globe dodder (Cuscuta potosina)
African couchgrass (Digitaria abyssinica)
velvet fingergrass (Digitaria velutina)
three-cornered jack (Emex australis)
devil's thorn (Emex spinosa)
Brazilian satintail (Imperata brasiliensis)
murainagrass (Ischaemum rugosum)
Asian marshweed (Limnophila sessiliflora)
serrated tussock grass (Nassella trichotoma)
broomrape (Orobanche ramosa)
kodomillet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)
kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum)
African feathergrass (Pennisetum macrourum)
Kyasuma grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum unispiculum)
mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion setosum)
alapataco (Prosopis alpataco)
algarobilla (Prosopis argentina)
mesquite (Prosopis burkartii)
calden (Prosopis caldenia)
cusqui (Prosopis calingastana)
algarrobillo (Prosopis campestris)
mesquite (Prosopis castellanosii)
algarrobo patagonica (Prosopis denudans)
algarrobillo (Prosopis elata)
churqui (Prosopis ferox)
mesquite (Prosopis fiebrigii)
algarrobo paraguayo (Prosopis hassleri)
algarrobilla (Prosopis humilis)
barbe de tigre (Prosopis kuntzei)
palo de hierro (Prosopis palmeri)
tornillo (Prosopis reptans cinerascens)
mesquite (Prosopis rojasiana)
vinal (Prosopis ruscifolia)
albardon (Prosopis sericantha)
Argentine screwbean (Prosopis strombulifera)
lata (Prosopis torquata)
velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
shrubby blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
wild blackberry (Rubus moluccanus)
wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum)
lobed salvinia (Salvinia biloba)
Herzog salvinia (Salvinia herzogii)
South African ragwort (Senecio inaequidens)
Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis)
simplestem bur-reed (Sparganium erectum stoloniferum)
exotic bur-reed (Sparganium erectum)
denseflower witchweed (Striga densiflora)
cowpea witchweed (Striga gesnerioides)
purple witchweed (Striga hermonthica)
coatbuttons (Tridax procumbens)

Registration is now open for the Natural Areas Conference 2008. For more information click here.

The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is in search of images of invasive reptiles to be placed on their website for educational purposes.

To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following invasive reptiles.

• African redhead agama (Agama agama)
• South American ground lizard (Ameiva ameiva)
• common boa (Boa constrictor)
• white-lipped Calotes (Calotes mystaceus)
• rainbow Whiptail (Cnemidophorus lemniscatus)
• flat-tailed house gecko (Cosymbotus platyurus)
• Tokay Gekko (Gekko gecko)
• common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)
• tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)
• green iguana (Iguana iguana)
• Haitian curlytail lizard (Leiocephalus personatus scalaris)

If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and The EvergladesCISMA website.

The National Plant Diagnostic Network Training and Education Committee will be creating presentation materials that may be used to educate First Detectors such as master gardeners, garden clubs and homeowners about certain pests. Many of these species are exotic or newly introduced.

To help this effort, we are putting out a call for images on the following weed species.

• Asiatic Sand Sedge (Carex kobomugi)
• Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
• Black Swallowwort (Cynanchum nigrum)
• Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa)
• Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
• Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
• Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
• Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
• Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
• Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
• Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
• Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum)
• Kudzu (Pueraria montana)
• Mile-a-minute (Polygonium perfoliatum)
• Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
• Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
• Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
• Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) (Tamarix ramosissima)
• Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
• Water Chestnut (Trapa natans)
• Winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus)

If you have some images of these species that you think would be useful, please let me know. We'll add the images to the Bugwood Image Database and forward copies to the individuals working on particular species presentations.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Plant Industry Division is implementing a
policy change that will prohibit the propagation, nursery cultivation, sale and distribution of cogongrass, (lmperata
cylindrica) (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, along with all cultivars including 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass. This
action is needed to prevent further introduction and secondary spread of cogongrass into and within NOJih Carolina.
Cogongrass has been detected and is a major concern in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It was recently detected and confirmed in Tennessee. Additionally, this
policy change for North Carolina is needed to ensure this state's regulatory actions are harmonized with those of
surrounding states.

The following actions will be taken to implement this new policy.

I. Effective immediately, the NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will deny permits for the interstate
movement of Cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred to as
'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass.
2. NCDA&CS, Plant Industry Division will enforce regulatory restrictions on all nursery propagation, nursery
cultivation and sale/distribution of cogongrass, including cultivars referred to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese
blood grass after October 31,2008.
3. Existing inventories of cogongrass-Imperata cylindrica (Linnaeus) Raeuschel, including cultivars referred
to as 'Red Baron' or Japanese blood grass, must be sold or removed from nurseries or nursery dealers by
October 31, 2008. Any remaining plant material will be subject to stop-sale and will be destroyed or must
be shipped in compliance with USDA, APHIS, PPQ regulations. The application and instructions for a
PPQ Form 526-Applicationfor Permit to Move Live Pests or Noxious Weeds may be found at the USDA,
APHIS, PPQ web site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ppg epermits.shtml and must be completed by
the nursery/nursery dealer operation in the receiving state.
4. Failure to comply may result in revocation or suspension of the NCDA&CS' Nursery Certificate or
Nursery Dealer Certificate.

Should you have questions or need additional information regarding this policy change, please feel free to contact
your local NCDA&CS Plant Pest Specialist or Rick Iverson, Weed Specialist, NCDA&CS.

Effective immediately, Plant Protection and Quarantine is issuing a Federal Import Quarantine Order (see below) restricting the importation of Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (maidenhair creeper).  The restrictions apply to any parts capable of propagation, including spores and leaves (fronds) of these climbing fern species.

FEDERAL IMPORT QUARANTINE ORDER:

Lygodium microphyllum and Lygodium flexuosum

 May 30, 2008

The purpose and goal of this Federal Order is to prevent the entry from all foreign countries into the United States of two harmful noxious weeds, Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (maidenhair creeper).  This Federal Order is issued pursuant to Section 412(a) of the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 7712(a), which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation or entry of any plant, plant part, noxious weed or article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the entry of a plant pest or noxious weed into the United States.

This action is necessary because the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has determined that these climbing fern species are harmful noxious weeds that pose a serious environmental and economic threat to the United States.  Recently, APHIS learned of commercial interest in importing Lygodium microphyllum as cut flower greenery.  Fertile Lygodium leaves contain reproductive structures filled with spores that may be windblown, spreading the plant into uninfested areas.  Additionally, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has requested that APHIS regulate Lygodium microphyllum to support Florida control efforts and Lygodium flexuosum, to prevent its introduction.

Within the United States, Old World climbing fern is only known to occur in the State of Florida where it is currently regulated and controlled.

Maidenhair creeper is not known to occur in the United States.  These climbing ferns spread prolifically, climbing and scrambling over vegetation, creating a fire hazard, smothering native plant communities and causing other harmful environmental and economic impacts.

 In order to prevent the entry of Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw., the APHIS Administrator has determined that it is necessary to no longer allow the importation of plant material capable of propagation, including nursery stock, spores, and leaves (fronds) of these climbing fern species, unless authorized by a PPQ permit for specified research in containment.  Due to the seriousness of the potential for the spread of these very harmful noxious weeds, this Federal Order is effective immediately upon issuance.

Prohibited Plant Species:

Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Old World climbing fern) and Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. (maidenhair creeper).

I applaud the efforts of Iowa City and Johnson County. What an inventive (and fun) way to try and control a nasty invasive! See below...

Last May, the City of Iowa City and Johnson County thought of a new way to fight the Plant from Hell (AKA Garlic Mustard): A garlic mustard challenge was organized and groups of volunteers, young and old, attacked predetermined sites with a vengeance. Almost a ton of GM was pulled.

The event is being organized again this year, with a new twist: other cities or locations are being challenged to BEAT THE JOHNSON COUNTY RECORD!  It's a competition, a challenge, to see who can pull the most.

People throughout the state are invited to organize crews and join in. This is a win-win event: you decrease GM and at the same time educate others about the nasty plant and how it should be fought.

Please see the attached Press Release, and the Sample Challenge Letter inserted below. Do consider joining in and thanks, Connie Mutel

Dear _____,
 
In the spring of 2007, Iowa City and Johnson County area residents rallied together to establish a record for the Most Garlic Mustard Plants Ever Pulled. The event was sponsored by Iowa City's Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works Departments, with support from many Johnson County environmental organizations such as Friends of Hickory Hill Park, Johnson County Heritage Trust, Johnson County Conservation Board, Project Green, Environmental Advocates, and the Backyard Abundance Campaign. The goal was not only to control the spread of these noxious weeds but also to expand public awareness about the problem.  As you know, garlic mustard is a non-native plant species that has no local natural controls, partially because none of Iowa's native insects or wildlife rely on it as a food source. The plant has spread at an alarming rate the past two decades, and is now degrading local woodlands by crowding out native plants such as wildflowers, ferns, and tree seedlings, which in turn reduces the food supply for woodland animals. To control the spread, the weeds must be pulled or cut between March and June, before they go to seed and repopulate.

Last May, Johnson Country residents pulled a total of 1,900 pounds (almost a ton) of invasive garlic mustard plants from the Johnson County area. We concentrated on public areas such as City and County parks, but also encouraged private property owners to permit pulling on their property. We hope to build on that success this year!

The City of Iowa City would like to extend a challenge to _______ in hopes of stimulating growth of the program and continuing regional efforts to eradicate this noxious weed. The second annual Johnson County/Iowa City Great Garlic Mustard Challenge is scheduled for April 19th and 26th. We hope to beat last year's record and encourage other communities to participate! We will be weighing the garlic mustard pulled at our April events and will also include any garlic mustard plants pulled throughout the month of April. We also encourage our challengers to make the weed pulling a month-long event.

If you think your community might be interested in such a challenge, we would be happy to share any of our promotional materials, brochures, experiences,
etc. to assist you in the process. We learned a lot last year and intend to make this year's project even better!

Thank you for considering participation in this exciting event. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Marcia Klingaman with Neighborhood Services at 319/356-5237 or e-mail marcia-klingaman@ iowa-city. org.

Sincerely, 
The Great Garlic Mustard Challenge Planning Committee
 

We just received a large set of images from Ohio State University. These images cover a wide variety of weed species found in the mid-west. There are over 3000 pictures in this collection, while not all of these images are currently available, they will be in the weeks to come. These images are available at The Ohio State Weed Lab archive.