I Spy and Identify Invasives / Je vois, J’identifie les espèces envahissantes's Boletim

In February, the I Spy and Identify Invasives project made 3,923 observations of 820 species! 85 different people observed and reported native and invasive species across Canada and our network grew by 18 new individuals!

February’s reports included 483 observations of 114 different species of introduced and invasive species! The month’s totals included these three concerning invasive species sightings:

• A Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) spotted in British Columbia by @phytaficionado. Brown marmorated stink bugs are a serious threat to the agriculture and food industry and can cause mass fruit spoilage when orchard infestations occur.
• Another European green crab (Carcinus maenas) sighting in New Brunswick by @sebastienbenoit. Did you know these invasive crabs are present on both of Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic coastlines? This invasive crab species can reproduce and multiply very quickly and severely impact marine ecosystems.
• Several Mute swans (Cygnus olor) spotted in Ontario by @josbees. These invasive swans are aggressive and outcompete our native waterfowl for habitat and food.

A couple of species at risk were also reported in Canada in our project in February!

• A Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) was observed in Nova Scotia by @mkkennedy. This owl is currently assessed as threatened due to habitat loss and alteration.
• A Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) sighting in British Columbia by @jsaydam. These are currently assessed as special concern, with ocean habitat degradation being a contributing factor to their population decline.

Thank you for your iNaturalist observations and reports! Be sure to keep an eye out for and report Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolate), Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) in March!

The 'Spongy Moth' is the new common name for Lymantria dispar, renamed because it's former name ("gypsy" moth) is derogatory. The new name is inspired by the species’ sponge-like egg masses.
During your outdoor adventures, keep an eye out for these egg masses that can be deposited on trees, wood, outdoor furniture, or other surfaces. Once temperatures warm, you may also start to see Spongy Moth caterpillars feeding on tree leaves.
So far, this invasive species is considered established in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. It has also been detected and subsequently eradicated in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Your observations will help show the extent of Spongy Moth populations in areas where it is established and could also help with early detection if the species spreads to western Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador.