In some places, the soil is not very healthy. It has something called Cadmium (Cd) in it. This is not good for plants. But, some plants are better at dealing with this than others. These are called invasive plants. They are not from around here. They come from other places and take over. Earthworms live in the soil. They are like tiny farmers. They help plants grow....
Snakegrass, also known as Equisetum hyemale, is a plant that has become a big problem in South Africa. It is an invasive alien species, which means it is not from here but has found a way to thrive and spread quickly. This plant is aggressive and can take over other plants' space, making it hard for native plants to survive. To fight back, scientists have come up wi...
There is a sneaky plant disease called Phytophthora ramorum. It is a big problem in nurseries. It can hide in the soil. It waits in the dirt. It can stay there for a long time. It can hide in old, infected leaves that are buried. To understand how this disease spreads, scientists did some experiments. They checked how soil temperature and moisture affect the disease...
In South Korea, a new player has entered the scene of the invasive hornet, Vespa velutina. This hornet, first spotted in 2003, has been causing trouble for beekeepers, ecosystems, and even human health. Until 2020, no one had found any parasites or parasitoids on these hornets. Then, in Andong City, researchers discovered something surprising: strepsipteran parasites...
Ants are a worldwide disruptor. Longlegged ants are making Taiwan's forests crumble. Scientists feel new hope, with a new type of weapon against them. The problem? Basically, this ant is going on a killing spree, leaving many native species dead. They are like bullies of the forests and beaches. Taiwan's land crabs are on the defensive....
Laboratory scientists have been studying a wild character in the European countryside. This tiny rascal is the Lewis spider mite, and there is no candy cane to deal with in the end. They do not have a monster of a bad reputation to live up to. It is not the bad guy scientists thought they may have. LSM, the one with a two-year journey, was found in three places. ...
Scientists have been trying to figure out what makes some alien plants become invasive, often comparing successful invaders with other groups. But, not much attention has been given to how these traits vary among invaders. Here, researchers took a fresh approach. They studied both the differences in traits between invasive and non-invasive plants and the variety of t...
In late November 2024, scientists made an exciting yet concerning discovery near Keelung Port, northern Taiwan. Two adult specimens of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were found at a depth of roughly 20 meters. This is the first time this Mediterranean fish has been spotted in the northwestern Pacific, marking a significant expansion from its usual habitat. The fi...
Meet the harlequin ladybird, a global pest controller with a hidden talent. This beetle, originally from East Asia, has become an invasive species in Europe and North America. Scientists found that when harlequin ladybirds eat the eggs of seven-spotted ladybirds, they stay healthy. But the seven-spotted ladybirds can't do the same unless they're given penicillin. Why...
"Ever heard of the 'murder hornet'? This giant insect, known for its killer sting and ability to destroy a whole honey bee hive in hours, has been wiped out in the US. That's right, after first showing up in Washington state in 2019, scientists and locals have worked together to eradicate this invasive species. Scientists captured one of these hornets and tracked it...