Students
Student Information
Harry Scott Smith Scholarship Fund
If biological control is to continue in Southern California we need to continue recruiting and training high quality students. To do this, we need to be able to provide substantial financial support, and the Harry S. Smith Scholarship is one way to attract excellent students to UC Riverside. Support the Scholarship (PDF)
UCR Student Graduate Programs
UCR and CISR are committed to continuing education in invasive species. The Department of Entomology and the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology are just two programs that help train and develop new students to combat the invasive species of tomorrow.
Department of Entomology Graduate Program
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
FAQ for the Entomology Graduate Program
Researchers Associated with CISR
CISR is comprised of top University of California professors and researchers, all are the leading experts in their fields. They provide excellent insight into the invasive species on this site and in their own research labs. They blaze the trail in cutting edge research on Invasive Species. Read More...
Related Websites
UC Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pest damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties.
USDA Invasive Species Information Center
The National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC) was established in 2005 at the National Agricultural Library to meet the information needs of users such as the National Invasive Species Council. The Web site serves as a reference gateway to information, organizations, and services about invasive species.
USGS Invasive Species Program
Working collaboratively with partner agencies and organizations, USGS provides the tools, technology, and information supporting efforts to prevent, contain, control, and manage invasive species nationwide.
Invasive.org
The overall objective of Invasive.org is to provide an accessible and easy to use archive of high quality images related to invasive and exotic species, with particular emphasis on educational applications.
Invasive Species of California
With six new invasive species establishing themselves in California each year, it is vital for CISR and other organizations to study these invasive species to prevent further damage. Here you can find an overview of some of the invasive species currently undergoing research. Click here for more invasive species...
The Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter
Due to heavy feeding on ornamental trees, this pest produces copious amounts of watery excreta that rains down on anything, or anyone below.
Avocado Thrips
Larvae of the Avocado Thrips damages leaves, scar young fruit and even transform the skin to a brown mummified surface.
Quagga Mussels
Quagga and zebra mussels clog water intake structures (pipes and screens), which increases maintenance costs for water treatment and power plants.
The Goldspotted Oak Borer
Goldspotted Oak Borer larvae kill patches and strips of phloem and cambium, resulting in limb and branch die back and, eventually, tree death.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive biter that feeds primarily during the day and has a broad host range including: man.
Diaprepes Root Weevil
Adult beetles will feed on leaves causing a characteristic notching pattern. Larval feeding will eventually girdle the crown area of the root system, killing the plant.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly or Medfly
Several females may attack a single fruit, producing up to 100 maggots underneath the skin of the fruit. The maggots then tunnel into the fruit.
Light Brown Apple Moth
LBAM larvae feed on leaves and buds reducing photosynthetic rate, deforming growth patterns, which leads to general plant weakness and disfigurement.
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