30 Weird Ways We Have Fought Invasive
Species
The eternal battle against invasive species! While humans have used various methods to combat these
unwanted visitors, some approaches have been... unconventional, to say the least. Here are some weird
ways we've fought invasive species:
Elephants to the rescue: In South Africa, elephants were introduced to combat the invasive
Australian pine tree. The elephants' love for munching on the trees' bark and leaves helped
control their spread.
Goats on the loose: In the United States, goats were used to clear invasive vegetation, such as
kudzu and blackberry bushes, in national parks and wildlife areas. Their appetite for these
plants helps maintain ecosystem balance.
Lionfish hunting with... drones?: In Florida, a company called Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission used drones equipped with nets to capture lionfish, an invasive
predator that's decimating native fish populations.
Herbivorous beetles: In Australia, scientists released a species of beetle (Trichosirocalus
horridus) to control the invasive prickly acacia plant. The beetles' larvae feed on the plant's
seeds, reducing its spread.
Invasive insect-eating insects: In Japan, a species of wasp (Vespula flaviceps) was introduced
to control the Japanese hornet, another invasive species that's threatening native bees.
Cacti as biological barriers: In the United States, cacti were used to create biological barriers
to prevent invasive species like nutria from entering wetlands and destroying vegetation.
Bacteria-fighting fungi: In New Zealand, a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum was introduced
to combat the invasive Argentine ant. The fungus infects the ants and kills them, helping to
reduce their population.
Invasive species as food: In some cases, humans have consumed invasive species as a way to
control their population. For example, in Japan, the Japanese whelk (Rapana venosa) is
Species
The eternal battle against invasive species! While humans have used various methods to combat these
unwanted visitors, some approaches have been... unconventional, to say the least. Here are some weird
ways we've fought invasive species:
Elephants to the rescue: In South Africa, elephants were introduced to combat the invasive
Australian pine tree. The elephants' love for munching on the trees' bark and leaves helped
control their spread.
Goats on the loose: In the United States, goats were used to clear invasive vegetation, such as
kudzu and blackberry bushes, in national parks and wildlife areas. Their appetite for these
plants helps maintain ecosystem balance.
Lionfish hunting with... drones?: In Florida, a company called Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission used drones equipped with nets to capture lionfish, an invasive
predator that's decimating native fish populations.
Herbivorous beetles: In Australia, scientists released a species of beetle (Trichosirocalus
horridus) to control the invasive prickly acacia plant. The beetles' larvae feed on the plant's
seeds, reducing its spread.
Invasive insect-eating insects: In Japan, a species of wasp (Vespula flaviceps) was introduced
to control the Japanese hornet, another invasive species that's threatening native bees.
Cacti as biological barriers: In the United States, cacti were used to create biological barriers
to prevent invasive species like nutria from entering wetlands and destroying vegetation.
Bacteria-fighting fungi: In New Zealand, a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum was introduced
to combat the invasive Argentine ant. The fungus infects the ants and kills them, helping to
reduce their population.
Invasive species as food: In some cases, humans have consumed invasive species as a way to
control their population. For example, in Japan, the Japanese whelk (Rapana venosa) is
