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New invasive species found in Oneida Lake, NY Posted by David Figura/The Post-Standard Researchers at Cornell University Biological Field Station at Shackelton Point Friday announced the presence of a new, invasive species in Oneida Lake. They said more than a dozen Hemimysis anomala , a small mysid shrimp, also known as "bloody red shrimp," were identified by workers Thursday in the stomach of a white perch. On average these shrimp, which were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 2006, are about the size of a fingernail. It is not known what impact, if any, they will have on Oneida Lake's fishery or food chain. There's currently an ongoing study of their presence in the Great Lakes, but no conclusions have been drawn yet, said Lars Rustam, director of the field station in Bridgeport. "To my knowledge, this the first time this species has been identified in an inland lake in this country outside of the Great Lakes," he said. For more, see Saturday's Po...

Updated August 13 -------------------------------------------------------- Mile-a-Minute vine spotted in Norwalk, CT By ROBERT KOCH, Hour Staff Writer An invasive species of plant has invaded Norwalk, and officials are warning residents to take action. While the Mile-a-minute vine might recall images of ivy-covered buildings, it's hardly an innocuous plant species. "The plant is called the Mile-a-minute vine--or devil's tearthumb--because it prolifically grows up to six inches in a single day, overwhelming other species by blocking the sunlight and by the sheer weight of the weed's leaves and stems," said Marvin Moss, Norwalk Tree Alliance spokesman. "Christmas tree farms are vulnerable. So are seedlings planted for forestry regeneration and even nurseries and farmland." The tree-killing vine has been located on Sheffield Island, on private property on Blue Mountain Road, and in the easement for the power lines of the Connecticut Light & Power Co. su...

Updated 8/5/09 -------------------------------------------------------- Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Conference - August 11 & 12 Please note that the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Conference will be held on August 11 and 12 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. To find out more, visit the Calendar of Upcoming Invasive Species Events page on NYIS.INFO. --------------------------------------------------------- NJ fingers mitten crab, fellow invaders CourierPostOnline.com Authorities have issued an all-points bulletin for a murky figure, but they're not seeking a criminal. Instead, be on the lookout for . . . well, let's quote the recent alert: "Public asked to report invasive mitten crabs." Mitten crabs? Ouch. That gives new meaning to "one for the thumb." In fact, Chinese mitten crabs -- although native to Asia -- have surfaced recently in New Jersey waters, including the Delaware and Barnegat bays, state officials announced Friday. And they'...