The "World's Worst" Aquatic Weed Is Creeping Into the US
Considered one of the world's worst aquatic weeds, a northern hydrilla subspecies is invading new waterways in the US.
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Considered among the “world’s worst” aquatic weeds, a northern hydrilla subspecies (lithuanica) hinders recreational activities by forming dense canopies. If unchecked, it has the potential to displace native species, and host a bacterium that produces a neuro toxin implicated in bald eagle and waterfowl deaths. Unfortunately, new research shows it is invading new waterbodies in the Northeastern U.S. very quickly.
“The spread and establishment of yet another hydrilla subspecies in the United States is alarming,” says Jeremiah Foley, an assistant agricultural scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and lead author for the study. “Especially alarming is the negative impacts that this invasive aquatic weed can have on native aquatic and non-aquatic plant and animal species, and how quickly it’s spreading.”
Want more breaking news?
Subscribe to Technology Networks’ daily newsletter, delivering breaking science news straight to your inbox every day.
Subscribe for FREEUntil 2022, this subspecies had remained undocumented outside the Connecticut River. However, by the end of 2023, researchers had documented its presence in five additional Connecticut waterbodies and one in Massachusetts. With only one exception, the newly infested sites were discovered close to or at boat-launch ramps. Several newly infested waterbodies also serve as hosts for angling tournaments.
Thus, assessing angling tournament impacts on spreading invasive species like Hydrilla verticillata from one waterbody to another should be considered for future research, recommends Foley. “Management efforts should prioritize early detection and prevention strategies, such as increased monitoring at boat-launch ramps and enhanced education for boaters to mitigate the spread of this invasive species.”
Reference: Foley JR, Stebbins SE, Doherty R, Tippery NP, Bugbee GJ. Northern hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata ssp. lithuanica): discovery and establishment outside the Connecticut River. Invas Plant Sci Mana. 2024;17(1):55-59. doi: 10.1017/inp.2024.4
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
