Lyme disease, Japanese barberry and flame throwers

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Two Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station researchers have been spending a lot of time among the barberry.  One frequently cited study of theirs links the prevalence of Lyme-disease carrying ticks with Japanese barberry infestations.  Another study discusses control techniques including herbicides and propane torches.

Williams, S.C. et al. 2009. Managing Japanese barberry (Ranunculales: Berberidaceae) infestations reduces blacklegged tick (Acari: Ixodidae) abundance and infection prevalence with Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae).  Environmental Entomology 38(4): 977-984.

Ward, J. S. et al. 2009. Controlling Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC) in southern New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 257(2):561-566.

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Posted in Berberis thunbergii, New England | 1 Comment

New uses for Japanese honeysuckle

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

There is always controversy about finding uses for invasive plants because you don’t necessarily want to turn them into a commodity in their non-native range, but here are two uses for Japanese honeysuckle that I recently learned about:

1. Using extract of honeysuckle as a UV blocking coating on wool clothing.  Researchers in China found that an extract of Lonicera japonica may be effective as a UV block on clothing.  It is used traditionally in China as a medicine to treat colds and fevers and an ingredient made from honeysuckle is used in cosmetics to keep skin looking younger and as a food preservative.

Sun, S. and R. Tang. 2011. Adsorption and UV protection properties of the extract from honeysuckle onto wool.  Industrial and Chemical Engineering Research 50(8):4217-4224. DOI: 10.1021/ie101505q

2. Making an infusion of honeysuckle flowers in vodka.  What a great way to stop seed production!  Here is one recipe: http://diggineats.blogspot.com/2011/05/infusion.html

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Texas Invasive Species Citizen Science initiative

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

A partnership of organizations in Texas has put together a citizen scientist program for reporting invasive species across the state.  The web site has online training tools and a handbook as well as a section on information for individual species, including many invasive plant species.  The informational pages include native-look alikes and control techniques.  http://www.texasinvasives.org/i101/

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Posted in Online Information, State/Region, Texas | Comments Off on Texas Invasive Species Citizen Science initiative