Chinese Privet poses a threat to southern U.S. floodplain forests and the wildlife that depend on them, particularly herpetofauna. Check out this recent publication led by ISC affiliate @gnriparian.bsky.social 🐸🦎 www.herpconbio.org/Volume_20/Is...

A recent PLOS ONE study, co-authored by ISC Affiliate Claudia Nuñez-Penichet, examines the potential distribution of a new mosquito species (Aedes vittatus) in North America 🦟 🔗 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

@invder.bsky.social has taught a course on biological invasions for the last 15 years, & he ends each semester with a unique potluck. Students prepare dishes using #invasivespecies as ingredients, featuring everything from kudzu & feral pigs to insects & wineberries 🐗🥬🦗

New research shows that introduced animals are reshaping how seeds move on islands. Non-native species now make up 44% of seed dispersers, while nearly a quarter of native fruit-eaters have disappeared. S/O to ISC affiliate Haldre Rogers for her key contributions to this work 🏝️ 🔗 shorturl.at/iBeLb

Fifth-grade students from Southwest Virginia learned about #invasivespecies and their far-ranging impacts at "Hokie for a Day". Thank you to the Center for Educational Networks and Impacts for hosting such an engaging event! 🐛🪳

Earlier this year, the ISC partnered with VT Libraries to create an #invasivespecies display (lnkd.in/e9JkZKDi). Now, the panels are hitting the road! They are currently featured at Pohick Regional Library in Fairfax County, Virginia. Want this display at your local library? Send us a DM!

Big congrats to VT grad student Zia Cryster on earning an ISC Travel Award to attend #NDiSTEM 2025! She shared research on the dietary drivers and ecological impacts of såli (Micronesian Starling) 🐍🐦 #invasisivespecies #SACNAS #browntreesnake

In our #PictureOfTheWeek, invasive carp exposed to an electric shock leap out of the Illinois River. Now, a new and contentious plan aims to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes: buff.ly/avmUipw

@invder.bsky.social has spent 15 years teaching a course on biological invasions, and he ends each semester with a very creative potluck. For the event, his students prepare dishes using #invasivespecies as ingredients - everything from kudzu and feral pigs to insects 🐗🥬🦗 shorturl.at/hX8Xq

Dr. Claudia Nunez-Penichet recently received a Travel Award from the Invasive Species Collaborative to attend #Entomology2025 in Portland, Oregon! Claudia presented her research in a talk entitled "Forecasting Invasion Hotspots in a Changing North America". 🪲🌲

The ISC hosted a webinar featuring the Northeast RISCC Management Network. The session, led by Dr. Jenica Allen (Director of the NE RISCC), was tailored for graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty exploring the intersection of invasive species and climate change. Thank you, Jenica!

Graduate students in Virginia Tech’s "Advanced Forest Ecology" course are turning 19th-century land survey records into modern data — mapping where American elms once thrived before Dutch elm disease (a devastating #invasive fungal pathogen) reshaped the landscape. 🔗 news.vt.edu/articles/202...

This week, our Director and several affiliates have been representing the ISC at the North American Invasive Species Management Association Annual Conference - one of the premier gatherings for #invasivespecies professionals across North America! @invder.bsky.social @gnriparian.bsky.social

Chloe Liu recently received a Travel Award from the Invasive Species Collaborative to attend #PestWorld2025 in Orlando, Florida! 🌴🐜 Chloe presented her research in a 10-minute talk exploring how viral infection could affect fire ant baiting efficacy. She also served as a conference intern!

The ISC's quarterly newsletter is out! Each edition shares important announcements, opportunities, events, and the latest research from Virginia Tech 🍂 Fall newsletter ➡️ lnkd.in/ecqfC62U Subscribe today ➡️ lnkd.in/eC7i-_e8

The ISC recently hosted its fall gathering, bringing together researchers, students, & partners for an afternoon of connection and celebration. We recognized outgoing Steering Committee members, graduate grant recipients, & travel grant awardees. Attendees also enjoyed invasive species trivia! 🧠🏅

Excellent write up by @geosociety.bsky.social describing grant funded research by former post-doc Claudia Nunez-Penichet now @vt-invasivespecies.bsky.social on impending #marine #extinction threat www.geosociety.org/GSA/News/pr/... @kubiology.bsky.social @researchatku.bsky.social @kunhm.bsky.social

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Cooper for his most recent publication! This paper presents a novel framework that integrates genomic data into demographic models to improve the management of #invasive hybrid species, using California tiger salamanders as a case study 🦎 shorturl.at/xAgmE

Several collaborators, including an ISC affiliate, published a BRIDGES cluster in Freshwater Science examining how forest insect pest outbreaks (FIPO) affect riparian–stream links and stream ecology in temperate forests. www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/fws/2025...

@invder.bsky.social was recently featured on "With Good Reason" to talk about edible #invasivespecies. Take a listen below! 🐟🌿🍽️ withgoodreasonradio.org/episode/appa...

The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council (MAIPC) has opened registration for its upcoming conference. The 2-day event will take place October 20–21 at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia! More info + registration ➡️ invasivesfree.org/maipc-confer...

A recent study published in PNAS (co-authored by ISC Affiliate, Dr. Haldre Rogers) offers the first global analysis of how species introductions and extinctions are transforming plant–animal interactions on 120 oceanic islands 🐦🌱 Full article here ➡️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Dr. Stacy Endriss recently presented at Virginia Tech's weekly Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior (EEB) Seminar Series. Stacy is an Assistant Professor of #InvasiveSpecies Research and Extension and studies non-native plants, as well as insect interactions with such plants 🌿🌱

This collaborative research explores Indigenous perspectives on Bimiizii (sea lamprey), an invasive species introduced to the Great Lakes in the mid-1800s. This project will also emphasize relational understandings often absent in mainstream invasion ecology. Way to go, Beth and team!

🍂 #HokieHike 2025 is here! Hike anywhere, anytime from Oct. 1 to Nov. 17, & join Hokies worldwide for an adventure! 🔗 aimsbbis.vt.edu/hike25 While you're out on the trails, remember: even the smallest seed can cause big problems. Learn how you can reduce the spread @ #PlayCleanGo (playcleango.org)

Harrison Miles, a Ph.D. student in forest resources and environmental conservation, is studying the effects of using a native fungus on the spotted lanternfly's (SLF) preferred host, the tree-of-heaven. This fungus has the potential to help suppress SLF populations! www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNm_...

Recent pics from Dr. Bryan Brown's promotion seminar on "Biodiversity in River Networks". Dr. Brown has been an integral part of the ISC since its humble beginnings in 2016 and currently serves on the Steering Committee! He is also our go-to invasive crayfish person! 🦞

📢 Virginia Tech is hiring! 📢 Please reshare and promote! We are seeking an economist for a research & teaching position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level in applied economics with a focus on #invasive species. For more info & to apply ➡️ careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us...

🦞 Invasive crayfish aren’t just competitors - they erase native symbionts. Check out the newest research by ISC affiliate Dr. Bryan Brown 🦞 Biological Invasions (open-access): link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Went hiking in Aoraki (Mt Cook) National Park - I’m pointing to the highest point in NZ. I have no words. @vt-invasivespecies.bsky.social representing in New Zealand!

Virginia Tech entomologist, Doug Pfeiffer, tells PBS NewsHour that invasive spotted lanternflies are here to stay, no matter how many of them you squish. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

A big shout-out to the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA)! Thanks to their leadership and advocacy, Loudoun County, VA is rolling out a new $2 million program to help property owners remove invasive plants and replace them with native species 👏🌿 www.loudounnow.com/news/loudoun...

Congratulations to Dr. Esra Buyuktahtakin Toy for receiving a new grant from the VA Dept. of Forestry on "AI-Driven Decision Optimization for the Effective Management of Wavyleaf Grass Invasions in Virginia". Learn more about wavyleaf grass in Virginia here ➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-dA...

Several weeks ago, ISC students enrolled in the @globalchangevt.bsky.social IGC program participated in Blacksburg's annual Steppin' Out event. Their booth highlighted how people and communities are tackling global environmental challenges like #invasive species, climate change, and pollution.

Since 2002, Stroubles Creek has been designated as "impaired" by the U.S. EPA. Researchers in Sally Entrekin's Aquatic Entomology lab at VT study aquatic invertebrates in Stroubles to better understand stream health in response to restoration efforts 🐌🐟🌿 news.vt.edu/content/news...

At this year’s Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Field Day, Fang-Ling Chloe Liu represented the ISC by sharing innovative research on using native ants as biosurveillance tools to detect spotted lanternfly infestations. #invasivespecies #spottedlanternfly #VNLA

Our partners at the Virginia Department of Forestry are hiring an Invasive Species Specialist! This position will support the VDOF's invasive species initiatives in central and western Virginia. To learn more and apply visit ➡️ www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/invasiv...

UPDATE 📢 The invasive box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) has been confirmed in Virginia. Its current known distribution is in Clarke and Loudoun counties. Be sure to report any findings here! ➡️ lnkd.in/ehm3bdqH 🌱 Box Tree Moth ID - lnkd.in/equ7JWfm

🌎 Visit Ripples of Change at Steppin’ Out (Aug 1–2), Booth D23/D23A (Zone B) on Draper Rd! Created by IGC Fellows, this immersive art-science exhibit showcases real action on global change 🌱🎨 🔗 blacksburgsteppinout.com #GCCatVT #SteppinOut2025

Congratulations to Jordan Thompson for successfully defending her Master's thesis! Over the last two years, Jordan has studied the impacts of #invasive jumping worms. The ISC wishes her continued success as she embarks on the next stage of her career!👏📚

A new study led by #VirginiaTech researchers found that volunteer dog-handler teams — made up of everyday people and their pets — can effectively detect spotted lanternfly egg masses, an #invasive insect that's damaging farms and forests in the U.S. 🐕🐶🐩 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3A_...

The ISC had a great time at the annual College of Science Summer Camp! High school students rotated through several stations to learn about #invasivespecies ✅ Invasive ants, crayfish, & plants ✅ Ecosystem impacts in different systems ✅ And more! Until next year!

Congratulations to Grace! A current ISC affiliate and former ISC graduate student representative on the Steering Committee. A well-deserved fellowship awardee! 🎇

The #invasive Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) has been confirmed in Hedgesville, WV - just 25 miles from Frederick County, Virginia. This pest feeds on boxwood, an important plant in landscaping and nursery industries. 📸 Report suspicious caterpillars/moths to your local #Extension office

🐜 Ants vs. Spotted Lanternfly? @vt-invasivespecies.bsky.social affiliate Dr. Scotty Yang is developing antDNA—a method using ants to detect invasive lanternflies before they’re seen. Published in Pest Management Science + NeoBiota. #GCCatVT #InvasiveSpecies

📢 The ISC is thrilled to announce the 2025-2026 Steering Committee! 📢 This dynamic group of individuals brings a wealth of expertise and passion for advancing invasive species research, education, and collaboration at Virginia Tech and beyond. More info ➡️ invasivespeciesvt.org/people/steer...

Environmental #restoration efforts after harmful events such as wildfires requires massive volumes of #NativeSeeds, but U.S. native seed suppliers have struggled to meet demand. Learn more from our #BasedOnScience page:

It's here, it's here! The ISC's quarterly newsletter has just been released ➡️ lnkd.in/ekzG-89B Not on our mailing list? Sign up here @ lnkd.in/eC7i-_e8

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is hiring! Duties include #invasivespecies management, biological resource monitoring, trail maintenance, and more 🪓🌿 The posting closes on 7/14 @ midnight. For more information and to apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/yh9druvf

The Town of Blacksburg Parks & Recreation is hosting a native planting day on Saturday, 7/12 🌻🌼🌱 📅 Saturday, July 12th from 9:00 a.m. to noon 📍 Lower Heritage Park Parking Lot | 2701 Meadowbrook Drive ❓ Contact Dylan Vines at [email protected] Register here ➡️ calendly.com/lweg/meadow?...