Two More Invasive Species to Watch for in Michigan

Posted on 10/2023 by Summer Roberts, WCCD Community Forester

What’s scarier than goblins or ghosts?  How about a small and extremely destructive beetle that targets pines?  Or a plant that clogs up the waterways and disrupts boating?  Michigan’s Watch List has been updated to include two new invasive spookies, we mean species: mountain pine beetle and water-primrose.  Although we wish the Watch List was a compilation of must see scary movies, it’s actually a list of invasive species (i.e. species that pose an immediate or potential threat to the economy, environment or human health) and have either never been found or have limited distribution in Michigan’s natural areas.  

Catching invasive species BEFORE they sneak up and infest is crucial, so prepare yourself and help fight back by:  

1. Knowing what to look for – see the links above to learn how to ID both
2. Decontaminating your boating equipment between sites to prevent the spread of water-primrose and other aquatic invasives
3. Buying firewood where you burn it - moving firewood can spread the mountain pine beetle and other forest related pests and pathogens
4. Reporting it if you see it, including photos and the location to MISIN

To learn more about these invasive species or others on the Watch List, visit www.michigan.gov/invasives.

In other invasive species news, sadly oak wilt was confirmed in Ann Arbor’s Bird Hills Nature Area.  The City is taking steps to prevent the spread of the disease which can spread above ground as well as belowground through root grafts.  Refresh your memory about oak wilt by reviewing this past WCCD article.

For those who missed the “Beware of Beech Leaf Disease!” event on Sunday 10/1, check out the highlight video on WCCD’s YouTube channel.  Thanks to Legacy Land Conservancy and the U-M SEAS graduate students for an informative hike!