Environmental

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Environmental
BIOLOGY
Introduced Species Biological Control
Department of Biology Georgia Southern University
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Environmental
BIOLOGY
Introduced Species
- A non-native species that has been introduced
to an environment, usually as a result of some
human activity.
Department of Biology Georgia Southern University
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Environmental
BIOLOGY
Modes of Introduction
Accidental

• Air Travel
• -Habitat Alteration
• -Ships Ballast
• -Escapes from Agriculture/Horticulture field

Intentional
-Agriculture / Economic -Ornamentation
(plants) -Pet Trade!!!!
Department of Biology Georgia Southern University
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Environmental
BIOLOGY
Biological Control
Use natural enemies to control an introduced
species. - Attempt to 1. Reduce Population
s 2. Eliminate (harder to do)
Must Be HIGHLY Regulated!!!!
Why?.............
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Australia - 1788
How did they get theyre jackets so bloody red?
Cochineal Insects, of course!
The British import a cactus, Opuntia sp., to
begin a dye Industry in Australia.
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The Cactus Stuck
The dye industry didnt !
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Jump ahead 1886
Note This used to be cattle-grazing land.
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Spread by 1920s
What do they do?.....
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They nuke it !
This healthy concoction contains arsenic.
BUT WAIT!! Theres more
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These things have seeds!!!

• Seeds that birds eat and disperse!
• Wed better put a stop to that, too, mate!

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LUCKILY

• Someone was using their head and sent biologists
  to N. and S. America to study the native habitat
  of Opuntia sp.
• Hopefully, a natural predator of this cactus
  would be found and could be introduced to help
  control Opuntia sp.

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1926
Cactoblastis cactorum!!!!
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The Larvae feed on Opuntia sp.!!!!!
(And ONLY Opuntia sp.)
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Today
Stamps!
A Cactoblastis Museum!!
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The End.?
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Next Lab

• Quiz 3
• Effects of Smog on Photosynthetic Activity