Introduced Beetle Signage

Sign about introducing a non-native beetle to control a non-native plant. May 8, 2018.

This sort of stuff always works well and has no negative effects. Just ask Rhinella marina.

@Yi Qi Or Euglandina rosea..!

My thoughts exactly....

~Thylo

Like we didn't have enough invasive species here in North America already...

It actually surprised me that the zoo is allowed to do this.

~Thylo

Well this zoo is run by an American high school, and as an America high schooler I can attest to the fact that they often make illogical decisions.

@ThylacineAlive Are they? I thought there were laws restricting trade of potential invasives, especially insects. Having worked at a butterfly house before, I know FDA is very strict on that sort of thing... If they found any sort of hole in the building to the outside they would shut it down instantly according to regulations is my understanding. Any eggs/caterpillars we found had to be killed...

This isn't some dodgy initiative of the zoo. The beetle is host-specific to Purple Loosestrife, it was tested on a large number of native American plant species before release, and they have been released throughout North America since 1992.

@Chlidonias This makes more sense then, thanks for the additional information. If only the zoo made a note of that on the signage.

~Thylo