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Invasive Species

Air Potato

The air potato leaf beetle (Lilioceris cheni) is a natural enemy of the air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). This species was first found in Asia, and after extensive testing, this beetle was approved for release in the United States.

Chinese Tallow Tree

Chinese Tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) is a deciduous tree native to eastern Asia that is an invasive species in most of the southeastern U.S. By growing rapidly and reproducing quickly, Chinese tallow outcompetes other trees for light, disrupting local ecosystems and lowering levels of native plant biodiversity.

Giant Salvinia

Giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), is an invasive free-floating fern native to southeastern Brazil that has plagued waterways of tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Roseau Cane Die-Off

Outbreaks of a scale insect from Asia that feeds on the sap of Roseau cane, have been associated with widespread die-offs of the coastal plant in Plaquemines Parish in recent months.

Carp

The Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), native to Southeast Asia and China, and the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), native to Europe and Asia, are large minnow species.

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale

The crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS), Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, is a scale insect native to East Asia and feed mainly on crape myrtle (Lagerstroemiae sp.) and beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) trees.

Hydrilla

Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata, is an invasive aquatic weed native to Asia. Hydrilla was introduced in the 1950's as an aquarium plant. It was released in waterways of Miami, Florida and spread to Tampa, FL soon after.

Water Lettuce

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating aquatic plant native to South America and northern Africa that is currently found on every continent except for Antarctica. This plant is commonly found in lakes, ponds, bayous, and slow flowing rivers.

Coral Ardisia

Coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata) is an invasive evergreen shrub native to southeast China. It was introduced as an ornamental in the early 20th century. Coral ardisia was used as a landscape plant in Florida and has since spread to other states in the southeast including Louisiana and Texas[1].

Elephant Ear or Taro

Elephant Ear or Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is an emergent aquatic plant native from Southeast Asia. Taro is present throughout Southeastern United States where it invades wet areas. . Impact of the invasion of taro include alteration of riparian plant communities, decrease of recreational activities, and reduction of habitat for native wildlife.

Parrot Feather

Parrot feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum, is native to the Amazon Basin of South America and is considered an invasive aquatic weed in North America, Europe, Africa, Japan, and Australia. Thick mats of this plant can slow water flow, impede boat traffic, and severely impact the ecology of the infested body of water.

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free-floating perennial plant that is considered one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants. It was first introduced to the United States in 1884 for its beautiful flowers and is now found in over half of the U.S.

Duckweeds

Duckweeds are tiny free-floating aquatic plants and are the smallest angiosperms, although they are often mistaken for algae. They float on or just beneath the surface of still or slowly moving bodies of fresh water and wetlands.

Feral Swine

Feral swine populations continue to expand across Louisiana and much of the United States, causing substantial physical damage to agricultural lands. They exist in all 64 parishes of Louisiana, causing substantial economic loss from damage to agricultural and timber lands.

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The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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