7 Maverick wild organisms on the run

  7 Maverick wild organisms on the run

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. — Albert Einstein

Dr Abe V Rotor

Golden Kuhol (Pomacea caniculata), introduced

originally as source of food. AVR photo

• Golden kuhol or golden snail, imported in the seventies to support the government’s food production program, has turned into a maverick, now the number one pest of rice. More than half of our total riceland (3.5 million hectares) is attacked by this mollusk every planting season.

• The janitor fish, loved for its ability to clean the aquarium, for which it got its name, is now a pest in Laguna Bay, competing with the edible fish species, such as tilapia and carp.

"Africanised" honey bees (Apis mellifera)

The deadly African bees continue to invade and hybridize with domestic bees in the US as well as in other places, transmitting in their genes their aggressiveness and venom. Africanised bees are notorious in the Americas for their aggressive behaviour, but these fierce little pollinators may be the answer to declining honeybee numbers. Their demeanour has earned them the terrifying nickname of 'killer bees', but relatively few deaths are caused in proportion to the number of colonies. Killer bees: a deadly swarm | Natural History Museum. Natural History Museum

Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica), introduced by Japanese soldiers during WWII, believed as agent of biological warfare. Today it is a pest of a host of field and garden crops. AVR Photo

 The Harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) is a significant pest of vegetable crops, particularly those in the Brassicaceae family like cabbage, broccoli, and radish. They damage plants by piercing them with their mouthparts to suck out plant juices, leading to wilting, yellowing, and potential death.

Gambusia fish (Gambusia affinis), also known as mosquitofish, are considered pests in many regions due to their negative impact on native aquatic ecosystems. While initially introduced to control mosquitoes, they often prove ineffective and can harm native fish and other aquatic life by preying on their eggs and larvae, competing for resources, and even attacking adult fish.

Kudzu, an invasive vine, causes significant ecological and economic problems. It outcompetes native plants for resources, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Kudzu also alters soil chemistry, increases erosion, and can contribute to air pollution by increasing ozone levels. Furthermore, it damages infrastructure, smothers crops, and negatively impacts recreational activities. The scientific name for Kudzu is Pueraria montana, with some sources also including Pueraria montana var. lobata. Other related species, like Pueraria phaseoloides, are sometimes referred to as "tropical kudzu", but the original kudzu is primarily identified as P. montana.

Acknowledgement with gratitude: AI Overview, Internet photos