1. Invasive Species

2. 10) Kudzu
known as the "mile-a- minute vine" and "the vine that ate the South,"
native to Japan,
In 1930’s and 1940’s used to fight soil erosion in South, spreading across the U.S. at a rate as fast as 150,000 acres annually, individual vines can grow upwards of a foot per day

3. 9) The Black Rat
one of the first invasive species distributed by humans.
Originated in Asia, believed to have reached Europe by the first century A.D.
spread worldwide, hitching rides on European ships. Since then, the black rat has thrived in just about every region of the world
Caused dramatic population declines and even extinction of countless bird, reptile, and other small vertebrate species the world over.

4. 8) The Asian Tiger Mosquito
distinctive black and white stripe pattern, native to Southeast Asia, quickly become one of the planet's most widely-distributed animal species, spreading to at least 28 countries in the last two decades alone.
spread through the international tire trade, as tires stored outside tend to retain rainwater, and provide the ideal breeding and living conditions for the mosquito.
distinct health threat,
carries viruses like Dengue and West Nile, close contact with humans, known to feed 24 hours a day
8) The Asian Tiger Mosquito

5. 7) The Cotton Whitefly Adult whiteflies measure a millimeter long
are known to feast (in staggering numbers) on 900 different kinds of plants worldwide, and are capable of transmitting upwards of 100 different plant viruses.
originated in India, you'll find them thriving on every single continent but Antarctica
Billions in agricultural loss

6. 6) The Snakehead Fish
nightmarish animal. National Geographic nicknamed it"Fishzilla,"
they have sharp, shark-like teeth; an appetite for blood; can grow to over three feet in length; can lay up to 75,000 eggs a year; and can even breathe and migrate on land, searching for other bodies of water for up to four days at a time through the use of a primitive breathing organ.
native to East Asian, snakehead have decimated native food chains in the US ranging from Maine to California.

7. 5) The Asian Longhorned Beetle
most destructive period of its life in a larval stage, tunnels and feeds on the under bark of trees. In large numbers, can eventually kill the tree.
To prevent new infestations, officials often resort to cutting down and burning infested trees.
native to countries in Asia like Japan, infestations first detected in New York around 1996, but quickly spread to the majority of the East coast, where they are estimated to threaten 30-35% of trees on the Atlantic coast's urban areas.
also found in California, Ontario, and parts of Europe.
The economic toll estimated to be tens to hundreds of billions of dollars
5) The Asian Longhorned Beetle

8. 4) The Burmese Python
native wildlife offers little-to-no competition for resources. The huge snakes — which can grow to upwards of 20 feet in length — native Southern Asia,
Their accidental introduction in Florida,
Everglades National Park estimated 30,000 Burmese Pythons –
feast on a variety of endangered birds and alligators (yes, alligators).

9. introduced into Australia as form of biological pest control
introduced into Australia as form of biological pest control. become an enormous pest problem themselves.
The cane toad is often cited as the perfect example of an introduced species gone horribly wrong.
They also secrete toxins capable of killing just about any animal they come in contact with (humans have died after ingesting their eggs),
lacks natural predator
3) The Cane Toad

10. 2) The European/Common Rabbit
native to southern Europe and north Africa, but the tendency for rabbits to... overproduce... Has resulted in expansion on just about every continent but Antarctica and Asia.
The most famous case of population explosion probably occurred in Australia, where, in 1859, an Englishman introduced just 24 grey rabbits to his plot of land to hunt
Within ten years, two million could be shot or trapped annually without having a noticeable impact on the population.
exponential population growth, had contributed to serious erosion of soils across the continent by overgrazing and burrowing, and are believed to be the most significant known factor for species loss in Australia's history.
2) The European/Common Rabbit

11. The Nile perch was introduced to Lake Victoria in East Africa in the 1950s, for trophy hunting.
the population exploded in the late 1980's, leading to the extinction or near extinction of several hundred native species.
gigantic fish — which can grow up to 2 meters in length and weigh in at over 200 kg —
voracious appetite for key ecosystem-supporting members like fish, crustaceans, insects, and zooplankton.
The introduction of this species to Lake Victoria is one of the most cited examples of the negative effects alien species can have on ecosystems.
1) The Nile Perch

12. Brown marmorated stink bug
native to China, Japan
accidentally introduced into US, 1998
Now in 41 states
serious damage to crops – many fruits & veggies:
Over-winter in homes: can be tens of thousands in attic
Vacuum or sweep up if in home
Really do stink if scared or squashed
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