Summary Blog

     I was somewhat apprehensive about what to expect from starting a blog for the first

time. Blogging and responding to blogs are things that I had never done before. To be

honest, I was initially concerned about how well I could perform in this class.

      Through reading the blogs of other bloggers and the responses to their blogs, I have

become more comfortable in writing my own blogs. Learning to blog has been an exciting

experience for me. I’ve learned not to fear the unexpected and to just go for it.

      The advice I would give to others about starting a blog is that blogging is a rewarding

experience. There are endless subject matters in which to blog about. You can find

something that you feel passionate about and blog about it. Finding other like minded

bloggers in not only encouraging, but is a source of empowerment in bringing to light

important issues that affect this country and the entire world.

　

Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

      There is a beetle from Asia that is killing hardwood trees in Prince George‘s County Maryland. It is called the emerald ash borer and it came to this country over a decade ago by way of shipping crates from China. These beetles have killed over 30 million trees since their arrival in this country. “The beetles threaten not only to eradicate one of the most popular suburban shade trees in America, but also to harm water quality in rural streams, by removing trees that cool and filter waterways" (Pelton 1). 

 

Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

     Thousands of Chinese parasitic wasps have been released by the Maryland Department of agriculture in hopes of controlling the emerald ash borer. The parasitic wasps are known predators of the beetle. The idea of controlling invasive species is to find their natural predators in their native country to maintain control of them here.

 

Chinese Parasitic Wasp 

     But what concerns some biologists and environmentalists is that the use of biological controls can be ineffective and end up harming or eliminating native species. These controls sometimes results in predator species not attacking their intended targets and instead attacking other species. The concern in Maryland is that the Chinese parasitic wasps with eliminate the native jewel beetles instead of the emerald ash borer.

 

Jewel Beetle

     History shows us that predator species can be effective, but also tells us that these biological controls only succeeds 10% of the time. Therefore, great care must be taken when deciding what methods to use to control invasive species. The cure may be worst that the illness.

                                                             Cited Works

Pelton, Tom. Releasing Exotic Species to Fight Invasive Species: Gambling With Mother

     Nature? Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 26 July 2010. Web. 14 November 2012.