Two more invasives to look for in Michigan

  • The tiny, invasive mountain pine beetle, seen here on a pitch tube, could be a threat to Michigan’s forests if it arrives. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM M. CIESLA FOREST HEALTH MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL BUGWOOD.ORG.
    The tiny, invasive mountain pine beetle, seen here on a pitch tube, could be a threat to Michigan’s forests if it arrives. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM M. CIESLA FOREST HEALTH MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL BUGWOOD.ORG.
  • A five-petaled yellow flower and pointed leaves are characteristics of the invasive aquatic waterprimrose species. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAVES LOVELL, ALABAMA DEPT. OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, BUGWOOD.ORG
    A five-petaled yellow flower and pointed leaves are characteristics of the invasive aquatic waterprimrose species. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAVES LOVELL, ALABAMA DEPT. OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, BUGWOOD.ORG

    LANSING

    Michigan’s invasive species watch list was recently updated to include two new species and remove another. Mountain pine beetle, a deadly threat to pine trees, and water-primrose, a fast-spreading aquatic plant, have been added to the watch list due to threats they pose to native ecosystems and industry.

    European frog-bit, originally listed in 2011, has been moved off the list of species of …