'Tis the season, y'all.

It's one thing to know *what* an #invasivespecies is, and it's another to know *how* to impact real change. This course will teach you the latter, and (we hope) will equate to measurable on-the-gound action to help battle the invasive species problem in the U.S. and abroad. Check it out!

Two new studies offer good news about Jorō spiders: Products labelled for spider control are safe and effective against them, and they are both unlikely to bite and generally harmless if they do. /by @drdavecoyle.bsky.social

Joro spiders want 3 things: to not be touched or held, to not be in your house, and to not bite you. Great new article by Gayoung Lee @gizmodo.com! gizmodo.com/theyre-huge-...

Entomologists have been saying this for a while, but new evidence published confirms: Joro spiders are not a major health risk. See original thread for link to research papers

Want to get rid of Joro spiders? This #bioinvasion can be managed using commonly available products. Sure, other things work, but please just stick to the labeled stuff (i.e., don't spray machine lubricant all over the place). New #openaccess study in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JEE provides info.

Will Joro spiders (a #bioinvasion in the SE US) bite you, and if they do will it hurt? Turns out they won't bite without a LOT of provocation, and their bites are akin to a mosquito bite - some redness, swelling, and largely gone in a day. Study is #openaccess in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JME.

Through a four-month fellowship in South Carolina, a scientist from the isle of Jersey learned from local experts, built professional collaborations, and gained in-depth experience that will advance invasive species response efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. entomologytoday.org/2025/10/03/b...

Super psyched to have a bunch of our ALB work come out in this special issue! #bioinvasions

Modelling biological processes can be hard, and even harder when scientists and land managers aren't on the same page. We need better communication between these groups, especially with #bioinvasions. Communication matters, y'all. @biolinvasions.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...

The boxtree moth was recently found in several new states (MD, VA, WV) and is likely to keep spreading. This #invasivespecies is a recent #bioinvasions that threatens boxwoods - a very common landscape plant. This OA paper in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JIPM gives a good summary of this pest.

Large chunks of people's favorite trees seemingly go leafless overnight this time of year, usually thanks to caterpillars. Our paper (w/ @kellyoten.bsky.social & #nobluesky Robert Jetton) in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JIPM highlights several species in the SE US: academic.oup.com/jipm/article...

I love this figure in our review of sawflies of eastern North America. Shout out to @flydrocarbon.bsky.social for leading the charge and the @catherinelinnen.bsky.social lab! Check out the paper in the @entsocamerica.bsky.social Journal of Integrated Pest Management: academic.oup.com/jipm/article...

The hot, humid, dog days of summer in the southeastern U.S. means the #invasivespecies kudzu is in out and in all it's glory. Not familiar with this weed? Wondering why we care about this #bioinvasion? Curious as to how to get rid of it? This video might just help... www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Kj...

How do you get rid of invasive Elaeagnus in a forested landscape? We found that you have to get herbicide to the stem or stump because the drooping growth pattern creates an umbrella, preventing good foliar coverage. A simple, yet useful study! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

TAKE OFF, EH. Emerald ash borer is on the move again (though truth be told, it's not all that surprising...).

If you haven't already checked out the I See Dead Plants podcast, you oughtta consider it. Especially if you want to learn about one of the most impactful native forest pests in the U.S., the southern pine beetle!

The Department of Government Efficiency showing what it means to be, well, not efficient.

Southern pine beetle y'all! The most impactful insect pest of pines in eastern North America. And if you haven't been listening to the I See Dead Plants podcast, well, you're missing out.

🚨 Only 1 week left! 🚨 Submit your abstracts and register by Feb 28th for the International Young Researchers Conference on Invasive Species! 🗓️ May 6-7, 2025 | 🌍 Online & Free 📢 Connect, share insights, and network with young researchers worldwide tackling invasive species! iyrcis.webs.uvigo.es

New work in the @entsocamerica.bsky.social's Journal of Economic Entomology examines an eruptive native herbivore, the baldcypress leafroller (Archips goyerana), in the southern U.S. (aren't baldcypress swamps cool?) and shows they're more common than we thought... academic.oup.com/jee/advance-...

I was fortunate enough to take part in the Kentucky Forest Health Conference earlier this month. Nearly 300 people gathered to learn all about #foresthealth and #bioinvasions issues in the state. It was great to hang out with old friends Ellen and Abe, too!

A few of my favorite slides from my #ISAT2025 talk where I spoke about using social media to help with #invasivespecies and #bioinvasions messaging. Also the first time I used the word "bunghole" in a professional presentation, so there's that. #iykyk

And here. We. Go. Day 1 of the Invasive Species Ambassador Training at the beautiful Lake Guntersville State Park. Our goal this week is to help #bioinvasions folks increase the impact of their program, expand their reach, and forge new relationships. After all, we're all in this together.

Itsy bitsy spiders, anyone? These #invasivespecies Joro spiders are one of the #bioinvasions we study.

A rare snow in Coastal SC was one of the highlights of the South Carolina Vegetation Management Association meeting. Was great to catch up with all the plant management folks AND s see Clemson Extension’s own TJ Savereno get recognized for his years of plant ecology work.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS YELLOW LEGGED HORNET NEST!! Unfortunately, this is the most recent #invasivespecies & #bioinvasions in our state: www.clemson.edu/public/regul...

Many of us #foresthealth professionals work very closely with the USDA Forest Service, and kudos to them for putting together this great video to highlight what they do. Healthy forests are no accident, folks - it takes a lot of behind the scenes work. f.io/8E1uBZDu

🚨My favorite paper is finally out!! 🚨 If you're interested in plant invasions, soil legacy effects, beautiful fynbos and restoration, stick around for this thread 🧵

New #bioinvasions faculty job just dropped: Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist with Auburn University in Invasive Plant Management! Come work in the southeastern U.S. - we've got PLENTY of invasive plants for you to choose from... www.auemployment.com/postings/50457

But it will be done and off your desk, so if that motivates you, do it! Submit that paper. Or maybe this is the only time you have to finish and submit it, and if that's the case, do it! Submit that paper. But also yeah, don't expect anyone to do anything with it before January. #academicsky

Often the environmental impacts of #bioinvasions are seen as a nice to know, not a need to know, thing..but we need to know these impacts to have a clear picture of what #invasivespecies are doing. E.g., we saw lower insect richness and diversity in non-native wood: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Making #foresthealth science happen! Stemming from conversations at this year's SFHWC (www.sfiwc.org) meeting, John Nowak, Jim Meeker (USFS FHP) and I met with Melissa Griffin (SC DNR) today to figure out how to measure the impacts of #weather on southern pine beetle outbreaks. Stay tuned!

Throwback to warmer days - this red-spotted purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) is what my boys call "one of the poop butterflies" because we often see them sampling the local dog feces in the backyard like it's their own personal buffet. Speaking of poop, the caterpillars look like bird droppings.

Statistics (for most) is hard, and I think this message still rings true - it takes a village to train a fully functional, statistically literate researcher. Yes - there's a time and place for tough love. But there's also a time and place for teaching. d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/39929982/Sta...

Without knowing where this is, I'd bet that most of the species you see are invasive, or at the very least, non-native (and yes, I'm sure there are some native species there). But why, Dave, do you rain on this parade? Because 25+ years' of experience, that's why. Happy to be proven wrong though.

The USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species is, imho, the premier conference for #bioinvasions in forest ecosystems. Check out the draft program for the 33rd meeting taking place February 25-28, 2025 in Annapolis MD. research.fs.usda.gov/nrs/news/eve...

People get worried about the spiky crest on the thorax but it’s that sharp break used to skewers prey that’ll get you if you try to pet this bug!

Wheel bug! These suckers can be over an inch (2.54 cm) long. Look but be careful - they’ve got a big piercing/sucking mouthpart that can puncture skin.

They don't call 'em flatheaded borers for nothin'... Larvae of metallic woodboring beetles (Buprestidae) typically live in stressed/dying/dead wood - with the exception of the emerald ash borer, one of the worst forest #bioinvasions we've seen in this generation. This isn't one of those, though.

Massive thanks to @truebug.bsky.social for having me out last week at @unlincoln.bsky.social. I got to visit with Doctor of Plant Health (dph.unl.edu) students and catch up with old friends. Jody Green and I have been in Extension circles for YEARS, and Andy Little and I were at UGA together.

Some top-notch advice here on how to nominate reviewers for your manuscript.

Our newest work in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's Environmental Entomology shows that you - YES YOU - can help us in the fight against #bioinvasions.

We have now a hashtag! #BioInvasions Please repost so more people know about this, and we create a great Feed on Biological invasions And for forget to add #BioInvasions when you post about invasions!

Don't look now but NEBRASKA HERE I COME! Excited to hang out with the Doctor of Plant Health folks @unlincoln.bsky.social next week talking about #invasivespecies.

Starter Packs are great, but they favor well established individuals (understandably so). To help prop up new voices, here is a set of early career ecologists (self defined) who are, or would like to become, active on BlueSky Please reply if you would like to be included! go.bsky.app/Di74bDy

Post a picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.

Post a picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.

In news that likely shocks no one, the #invasivespecies spotted lanternfly has now been detected in Georgia (in metro Atlanta). Here's the press release for your perusal.