Invasive Species Survey Set

Invasive species are organisms found outside their native range. When these foreign species are introduced into new ecosystems the results can be dramatic as they displace native species and cause problems that the native system cannot adapt to.

This set of 12 displays features 16 species that are causing problems in North America and around the world. Typically featured as U.S. invaders are: dead-man’s fingers algae, water lettuce, blue periwinkle vine, English ivy, kudzu, Bradford pear, Chinese tallow tree, salt cedar, common periwinkle snail, zebra mussel, and four insects - Japanese beetle, Kudzu bug, red imported fire ant, and German cockroach. The last display features two species that have been exported from the U.S. and are now considered to be invasive species in other nations - red-eared slider turtle and Colorado potato beetle. Each of the displays is fully labeled with common names, scientific names, country of origin, approximate dates of introduction, and the problems each species is causing. Exact species included may vary occasionally with availability.