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Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Blog Posts

Berries on Burning Bush
Read article: Burning bush threatens migrating birds
Burning bush threatens migrating birds
Some years ago, it was shocking to learn that one of my favorite ornamental shrubs, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), is invasive.   It took a...
A spotted lanternfly on a red flower.
Read article: Spotted lanternfly spotted in Illinois
Spotted lanternfly spotted in Illinois
Invasive species are putting continual pressure on plants and animals in Illinois, which is only expected to intensify in the coming years.  This...
patch of small carpetgrass in bloom
Read article: Identifying and reporting Small Carpetgrass, an invasive grass in Illinois
Identifying and reporting Small Carpetgrass, an invasive grass in Illinois
While identifying plants at a prairie reconstruction last month, I came across a new grass that I’ve not seen before. Unfortunately, it is an...
A tree grows everywhere: Tree-of-heaven image of woodlands full of young trees end of summer
Read article: A tree grows everywhere: Tree-of-heaven
A tree grows everywhere: Tree-of-heaven
Two separate serendipitous events occurred recently that brought a plant back to the forefront of my attention. First, a few weeks ago a colleague...

News Releases

Row of blooming Callery pear trees
Six replacement trees for invasive Callery pear
URBANA, Ill. — Now considered an invasive species, Callery pear is a widely used ornamental flowering tree with negative effects on native ecosystems. The tree is still bought, sold, and planted because it has not yet made the...

Videos

New Invaders: Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly is the newest “unwanted” invasive pest in Illinois. Learn how to identify and report this invasive insect as well as how to manage it and prevent further spread.

Tricia Bethke from The Morton Arboretum explores why monitoring for spotted lanternflies in winter is...

Staff

Staff photo Shiba Kar

Shiba 'Shibu' Kar

Assistant Dean: Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Program Leader. Associate Director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant