Category Archives: Non-native

A downside of outdoor kayak storage.

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Most of the time, your kayak is not being paddled and lives in some sort of storage. For most of us this storage is outside. Being outside means that your kayak is accessible to wildlife. I have never heard of wildlife eating a kayak, but early skin-covered kayaks may have had the occasional animal gnawing on the kayak (do not store your kayak with snacks in the day hatch, that is asking for trouble). However, the potential for wildlife to use a kayak stored outside as shelter is high, especially if the kayak doesn’t get used much.

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Hornet nest (Vespa crabro) inside kayak cockpit. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 20 August 2025.

Doing a pre-paddle check of a seldom used Wilderness Systems Tchaika, I found hornet nests (the invasive: Vespa crabro) associated with the seat. That is a ‘heck no’ sort of thing. Luckily, the nests were in decline with only had a few occupied cells and maybe 4 adults guarding the nest.

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More hornet nests (Vespa crabro) inside kayak cockpit. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 20 August 2025.

Step 1 was to gently move the kayak from the rack to the water. Next I submerged the kayak. As the kayak filled with water, the hornets left the kayak peacefully. After dumping out the water, I was able to safely reach in and remove the nests without issue. My seat was wet from the process, but I have been wet before and it beats hornet stings.

As always be careful. Do your pretrip checks, wear your pfd, let a contact know your trip plan, be safe, and have fun!

Just a nice photo.

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I take 1,000’s of photos. Lately, they have all been with my old, cracked screen, Android smart phone. Most of these photos are documentation, I almost always take pictures of sunrises and sunsets. I take a lot of photos of kayaks, trash, plants, and insects. Occasionally, I take a picture I like. This is one of those photos. On one hand it is documentation photo of a non-native butterfly (Pieris rapae) on a non-native plant (Pyrus calleryana) at Dueling Creek Natural Area. On the other hand it is a nice photo that I actually took on purpose! The shot is backlit which gives a more ethereal feel to the butterfly and makes the pear flowers pop. I shot in a portrait mode to bring out the strong vertical line described by the flowers and managed to get the butterfly wing edge to describe an interesting diagonal and managed to get the butterfly’s head approximately where the rule of thirds predicts it will be most pleasing. All the thinking and pre shot planning, came at a cost – I only had one shot. Where as if I behaved normally I might of got 10 shots with one or two being useable.

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Pieris rapae on Pyrus calleryana flowers. Dueling Creek Natural Area, MD. 1 April 2025.

I thought it kind of cool to make a plan and actually execute it. Wild things do not always cooperate with our plans. And now, back to more of my normal bad photography.

Lovebirds in Phoenix, AZ

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Kelly had a speaking engagement at the Entomological Society of America conference in Phoenix. While we were in town, I thought I would try to find the rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) that have established a population in the Phoenix area.

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Photo cropped and screen shot from Audubon Magazine – Photo: Andreas Geh/Alamy

Day one: while Kelly was registering for the conference and uploading her talk,, Anacostia Riverpup and I walked to Hance Park which was about a mile from our hotel and was a location where the lovebirds had been seen recently according to eBird. The park was having a festival, it was super loud and busy. There may have been lovebirds there, but it was too chaotic. I was glad to see people using their park, even if it was at odds with what I wanted to accomplish. So after a nice walk, Ani and I ended up back at the hotel where we schemed and internetted to develop our day two plan.

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Rosy-faced lovebirds. Kiwanis Park, Tempe, AZ. 10 November 2024.

Day two: the internet suggested Kiwanis Park in Tempe as a good location and eBird confirmed this. Kiwanis Park was 9.5 miles from the hotel, so we piled into the car when Kelly left to give her talk and headed that way. In the 1980’s I had a Fischer’s lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) as a pet, so I had a decent search and sound image. Even though it was 8 am when we got to the park, there were two bands playing and a few hundred people to celebrate their triumph over opioid addiction – which is something worth celebrating! We found a spot to park and when we got out of the car I heard a familiar call and looked up to see a rosy-faced lovebird flying out of the park. On one hand I was glad to see it, on the other hand this was so unsatisfying. We began to walk around the park and saw several more lovebirds. They were in trees, flying about in flocks, and foraging on the ground in mixed flocks with great-tailed grackles, mourning doves, and Eurasian collared-doves. These birds were so adorably cute! I really enjoyed watching them.

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Rosy-faced lovebirds – the bird on the left is a blue morph. Kiwanis Park, Tempe, AZ. 10 November 2024.

Rosy-faced lovebirds are native to arid woodlands and scrubland of southwestern Africa. They were first documented in Phoenix in the 1980s and nest in cavities in ornamental palm trees and native cacti. Their population is now estimated at more than 2,000 individuals. Their new Sonoran desert home is hotter and drier than their African homeland and the rosy-faced lovebirds appear to rely on human help in the form of water sources and air conditioning to survive the hottest part of the Arizona summer. This is suggested by the fact that these birds have not ventured far outside the city’s urban center. It is speculated that the rosy-faced lovebirds are a relatively benign addition to the urban ecosystem that appears to be here to stay. The American Birding Association added them to the official checklist in 2012, indicating that data shows the Phoenix population of rosy-faced lovebirds is self sustaining.

It will be interesting to see what adaptations (behavioral, metabolic, etc.) these birds make to their new environment and if they expand outside of the urban environment.

Kudzu bugs, but not on Kudzu

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The Megacopta cribraria (or kudzu bug) first North American record is from October 2009 in Georgia (Eger et al. 2010). These are the first members of the Plataspidae in’ll North America. I have run into these ‘
Czrlcb1 little invasive insects in GA, AL NC, TN, VA, MD, and DC, always associated with kudzu (Pueraria montana) and soybean (Glycine max). I saw a kudzu bug on the side of our NE DC home and thought it could be attracted to the black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) in our garden, but I was wrong. I did find a mess of adults on a white mulberry (Morus alba).

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Kudzu bugs (Megacopta cribraria) on white mulberry (Morus alba). NE DC. 31 July 2024.

I thought this was pretty exciting, finding kudzu bugs on a new host plant, but a little research showed that Morus alba was a known host plant for kudzu bugs (Poplin and Hodges. 2012). Morus alba is a plant from the same part of the world as kudzu bugs, so it is not too surprising that it can be used as a host plant. However, host plant is not the most precise term (Fothergill et al. 2013), so I have been watching the mulberry to see how the plant is used. I have only seen adults and not at night – it is pretty bizarre to think the kudzu bugs are commuting to the mulberry. I also think it is pretty crazy to think that there are many adult kudzu bugs on the plant, but I haven’t seen them hooking up. I do not know how to sex kudzu bugs – perhaps the mulberry is only used by one sex? As usual, there is always exciting stuff going on and more to learn.

References:

Eger Jr JE, Ames LM, Suited DR, Jenkins TM, Rider DA, Halbert SE. 2010. Occurrence of the Old World bug Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Hetroptera: Plataspidae) in Georgia: a serious home invader and potential legume pest. Insecta Mundi 0121: 1-11.

Fothergill K, Tindall KV, Cross CB. 2013. What is a host plant? Plants used by Languria mozardi Latreille 1807 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae): a review. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 89.1:43-59.

Poplin A, Hodges A. 2012. Bean Plastipid. Featured Creatures UF/IFAS. https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/field/bugs/bean_plataspid.htm

The joy of meeting another invasive mosquito species!

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While camped at Greenbelt National Park recently. I was sitting out enjoying the evening when I got to meet Aedes japonicus. At first glance I thought Aedes albopictus because of the black and white striped legs, but the thorax markings were more like Aedes aegypti except instead of silvery, the thorax markings were golden. I took a photo so I could learn more about this mosquito.

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Aedes japonicus. Greenbelt National Park, MD. 2 June 2024.

Aedes japonicus was first found in North America in Pennsylvania in 1998. Being a cold-tolerant mosquito, it has found North America very much to its liking. Aedes japonicus prefers to feed on mammals and humans are just fine. With regard to larval habitat Aedes japonicus is a container breeder just like other Aedes species. Aedes japonicus adapts a wider range of habitats than Aedes albopictus, which could make its future range expansion easier. While the adults in Greenbelt National Park were laid back feeders, they were persistent – and nobody really likes getting bit by mosquitoes.

In the Asian home range these mosquitoes are not considered a huge threat to human health. Laboratory studies here have shown this mosquito to be a competent vector for the suite of arborviruses present in North America – time will tell if Aedes japonicus performance as a disease vector is as good in field as it is under laboratory conditions.

I can’t say I am thrilled every time I am bit by a new invasive species of mosquito. I do think it is interesting how well these species do in our urban habitats, or even a National Park. In our neighborhood we are predominantly bit by Aedes albopictus with Aedes aegypti next in bite frequency. I do wonder what mosquitoes would be biting me if the invasive, non-native Aedes where not present. I will be on the look out now for Aedes japonicus at the next neighborhood cookout.

Lawn herbicides in DC: aesthetics over beauty.

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The DC Metro area is has many organic grocery stores. Vegan/organic options exist on most restaurant menus. Given these bits of information, one would assume that DC area residents are very concerned about pesticides. However, this does not extend to their lawn care practices. Every year since moving to DC, even though we do not use herbicides on our property, our garden receives herbicide applications from our neighbors via drift and/or volatilization. This year the last week of April was hot and auxin-mimic herbicides were applied by commercial lawn services/pesticide applicators on several properties in the neighborhood. Sure enough trees in the neighborhood were showing signs of auxin-mimic (2,4-D, dicamba) damage.

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Herbicide damage on redbud. NE DC. 2 May 2024.

This has happened every year we have lived here. Some of our neighbors actually did not know that the lawn care company was spraying their property with pesticides. The very same pesticide active ingredients that people are concerned about being used by farmers are being used by homeowners and lawn companies on residential lawns. Another big use here in the DMV is on parks. Parks are nice places. I have walked the pup to local parks and turned around because it was obvious that pesticides had been applied recently (smell, stains, wet foliage on a dry day, etc.). Pesticide applications are not always signed, but if the turf you are about to use has minimal clover and other low weeds, you can assume that it sees pesticides fairly often.

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Herbicide damage on mulberry. NE DC. 2 May 2024.

It is easy to blame farmers for pesticide problems, according to the US Department of Agriculture, there were 895 million acres of farmland in the US in 2021. The amount of turf (lawns, parks, etc.) in the US is difficult to estimate, but is likely 50 million acres. It is also difficult to estimate pesticide use on lawns, I ran into studies that found 2 to 10 times more pesticides were used on turf compared to agricultural fields. Here in DC, we do not have farms. Our DC pesticide issues are entirely turf.

It is interesting to me that the very people who are buying organic foods, are poisoning themselves, their neighborhood, and greater environment with their lawn care routines.

It is also apparent that by eschewing the values of of biodiversity, biological integrity, and nativity to the gain the aesthetics of a chemically-maintained monoculture suitable for a European Lord. You sacrifice the true beauty of creation for a devil’s bargain of an ugly beauty.

Yet another form of kayak activism

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There are so many reason to despair: climate change, litter, habitat loss, invasive species, etc. I have always been a fan of what can I do to help out? That is why I try to have a big garden, plant native plants, and use my kayak for purposes of good.

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Carp (Cyprinus carpio) removed. Mid-Snake River, ID. 5 April 2005

The Mid-Snake River is the economic life blood of the surrounding Idaho high desert. The Snake River is irrigation for the surrounding agricultural lands, hydro-electric power, tourism, and even a convenient place to outflow sewage systems. It is a pretty river, but all of the uses make it impaired. The Snake River has numerous introduced and invasive fish species. I chose to make my kayak a vessel for removing common carp (Cyprinus carpio). There are many studies that show that the presence of carp is detrimental to native species. Learning how to flyfish for carp took a bit: they require a very precise presentation and spook easily. When I hooked my first carp on my kayak, I was not prepared for being towed up and down the river in my kayak. Because the goal was removal, this was catch and kill. The fish would then be turned into fertilizer for my garden.

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A view of the habitat. Mid-Snake River, ID. 10 April 2005

I pulled so many carp out of the Snake River. I took other people out to learn how to fish the species productively. Just like plastic bottles that are my current kayaking practice, I found that the carp seemed endless. However, endless isn’t hopeless. As long as we are willing and able. Choose something and do it with the goal of making the world a better place – and don’t be surprised if you succeed!

Invasive honeysuckle: Lonicera mackii

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Dueling Creek Natural Area is a wonderful place. A little oasis of trees, plants, and even a little tidal creek within the urban blight of the DC Metro Area. It is a great place to escape from cars, pavement, and the general city crush. However, this is not a nature preserve, this is an area that has been let go.   Invasive plants rule this landscape and spring is a wonderful time to explore the non-native plants.

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Lonicera mackii. Dueling Creek Natural Area, MD. 1 May 2024.

It starts with the early blooms of garlic mustard and the buttercup Ficaria verna. In places where English ivy and periwinkle do not cover the ground the carpet of yellow blooms of Ficaria are the promise of spring, but not a North American spring. Next up is the bloom of Pyrus calleryana (Bradford or callery pear). Because these pears are the dominant tree the woods are glistening white in the sunshine, the petals fall like warm snow in the breeze, and the entire area reeks of the semen-smelling floral abundance. As the pears wind down, the honeysuckles (Lonicera mackii and Lonicera japonica) begin their bloom. The most common shrub is Lonicera mackii and the entire area smells sweet and the ground is covered with spent flowers.

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Anacostia Riverpup on trails carpeted with fallen flowers of Lonicera mackii. Dueling Creek Natural Area, MD. 3 May 2024.

Of course, this isn’t good for native plants and the animals that depend upon them. Soils change in response to the botanical perturbation. The term “invasional meltdown” is used to describe a situation in which non-native species facilitate the establishment of other non-native species and exacerbate the impacts that the non-native species have on native species. Toward that concept, this year I was very excited to see a young fringetree in bloom in the woods, but when I got close it wasn’t Chionanthus virginica. It was Chionanthus retusus from Asia. It is still a beautiful plant, but may be harbinger of further change in this ‘ecosystem nouveau’.

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Chionanthus retusus. Dueling Creek Natural Area, MD. 3 May 2024.

Sometimes other people (or businesses) choose rats for you.

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Very poor garbage management. 7-11 2850 Bladensburg Road NE, DC. 30 January 2024.

It is no secret that DC has a rat problem. The reasons for this are many, but as with most animals the answer is habitat. If you provide suitable food, space, and shelter; you can have a population of whatever species you desire. Rats are perfectly happy living among people and in buildings, so urban habitats are fine for them. Dog poo works as a rat diet, so food scraps from 7-11 should work just fine. Rats are very fecund animals, and when you provide them with a nice habitat (like our local 7-11 has done), you increase the neighborhood rat population. Biologists call this a population source. As in the poor trash management of 7-11 can be a source of rat problems for an entire neighborhood.

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Rodenticide bait station. 7-11 2850 Bladensburg Road NE, DC. 1 February 2024.

I took the first photo after noting the 7-11 trash heap a week or so earlier. A couple days later I happened to be walking past and saw that 7-11 is using rodenticide baits. It seems like a jerk move to create a wonderful rat habitat and then also keep poisons nearby. It is like they are trying to maximize rodent suffering. If they actually cared about not having rats, clearing the trash pile would do much more than rodenticide bait stations. Rodenticide bait stations are almost as ubiquitous as rats in DC – if they worked DC would be a rat free zone.

Yes, it is a free country. However, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want, especially when your choices have consequences for other people. I hope we can encourage 7-11 to be a better neighbor.