In 1957, a South American moth was released in the Caribbean to control prickly pear; by 1989 it had reached Florida and was attacking native and endangered cacti

In 1957, a South American moth was released in the Caribbean to control prickly pear; by 1989 it had reached Florida and was attacking native and endangered cacti

According to scientists, the South American cactus moth primarily attacks Opuntia species, commonly known as prickly pear cactus. It can also occasionally affect Nopalea, Cylindropuntia and Consolea species. A pest once deliberately moved around the world to solve an agricultural problem has become a problem of its own. According to a report by the USDA’s … Read more

Baltimore kept an invasive pear as its official tree for 52 years; after Maryland banned its sale, six costumed native trees raced to reveal its replacement, the tulip poplar

Baltimore kept an invasive pear as its official tree for 52 years; after Maryland banned its sale, six costumed native trees raced to reveal its replacement, the tulip poplar

The six finalists were the tulip poplar, American sycamore, blackgum, bald cypress, bitternut hickory and overcup oak. (wbaltv photo) For 52 years, Baltimore had the Chanticleer pear, also known as the callery pear, as its official city tree. That changed last month after the city selected the tulip poplar as its new official tree, replacing … Read more