The Center for Invasive Species Research
CISR: Leading the Fight Against Invasive Species in California
Every 60 days, California gains a new and potentially damaging invasive species.
This rate of invasion results, on average, in six new species establishing in California each year. Economic loses to California from invasive species are estimated at $3 billion per year. The unique climate and geography of California provides diverse ecosytems which are perfect for the establishment of a diverse variety of new pests. CISR's researchers lead the way to determine how pests enter California, where invading populations came from and why these pests are successful in establishing California as their home. Learn more about the CISR program
Red Alert!
Laurel Wilt and Redbay Ambrosia Beetle
First found in Georgia, these non-native pest threaten to spread throughout the US to all members of the Lauraceae family. The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is not the true problem, but the fungus it carries: Laurel Wilt. As the fungus grows, it destroys the food and water conduction system, eventually killing the tree. Damage to infested trees are identifiable by the emergence of saw dust tooth picks that radiate from the trunks and branches caused by the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and Laural Wilt...
Spotlight: Red Palm Weevil
The Red Palm Weevil is widely considered the most devastating insect to attack palms has been found in Laguna Beach, Orange County California. The weevil was originally found by a landscape specialist in late August 2010 infesting a Canary Islands palm in a residential area. Subsequent investigation by plant health regulatory officials confirmed the presence of weevils at the original detection site.
Read more about the Red Palm Weevil
New Invasive Species on CISR
Brown Widow Spider
The Brown Widow Spider does have an hourglass but it is typically an orange shade rather than the vivid red of a black widow. The brown widow looks...
Red Bugs
Red Bugs feed on urban vacant lots and weedy fields. Most commonly, they feed upon developing or mature seeds and seed pods.....
The Goldspotted Oak Borer
The Goldspotted Oak Borer was first detected in 2004 in San Diego Co., by the CDFA during a survey for exotic woodborers...
Spotted Wing Drosophila
This fly causes economic damage in berry crops, fresh cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and perhaps grapes...
Can Exotic Species Evolve and Become Invasive in their New Home?
Have you ever wondered why only a small fraction of introduced species of plants and animals become invasive while others remain well behaved in their new home? This is a puzzling question for invasion biologists and regulators developing plans to manage invasive species. Dr. Norman Ellstrand , a Professor of Genetics in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside has studied this issue. In a new contribution to the CISR website, Norm provides two different ideas for us to think about: (1) some species are “born bad” and they have a natural ability to invade and become pests quickly, while (2) other introduced species that were initially well behaved in their new home for a very long time, perhaps a 100 years or more, under go slow genetic changes as they adapt to their new environment and they evolve to become invasive! You can read about more of these really interesting ideas
FAQ's about Invasive Species
What are invasive species?
Invasive species, alien species, exotic pests, bio-pollution, non-indigenous species, or invasive alien species, are common names that categorize non-native animals, microbes, diseases, or plants that are pests. These pests are not native in areas in which they cause problems and they are considered "invasive" because they invade new areas and the resulting invasion causes economic or environmental problems. Read more invasive species FAQ's
Where do invasive species come from?
Invasive species are often native to a country or area different to that in which they have invaded and are now causing problems. On average, California acquires around six invasive species per year, this is a rate of one new species every 60 days. Hawaii and Florida acquire new species at a round of around 15 per year. Read more invasive species FAQ'sWhy are invasive species a problem?
Invasive species cause a wide diversity of economic and environmental problems which almost always arise from uncontrolled population growth and spread in the area which has been invaded. Economic problems arise from the costs required to control invasive species, to reduce their rate of spread, or the need to inspect agricultural products that are being exported that may accidentally move the invasive pest to a new area. Read more invasive species FAQ's