Invasive species can have devastating impact in Texas, forest service says

The Lone Star State has a lot of invasive species that can bring devastating impacts to Texas ecosystems

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Lone Star State has a lot of invasive species that can bring devastating impacts to Texas ecosystems. These invasives have the potential to wipe out entire species of native Texas trees.

“Invasive species produce a measurable impact,” Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Health Coordinator Demian Gomez said in a press release. “If left unchecked, invasives can threaten native species, biodiversity, ecosystem services, water resources, agricultural and forest production, economies and property values.”

During National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Texas A&M Forest Service said it is trying to highlight and reduce the impact of those invasive species.

"Most often, invasive species have been introduced into an ecosystem through human activity," the release said.

Here's a breakdown of some of those invasive species, according to the forest service.

Emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer (EAB) "is a destructive, invasive borer beetle native to Asia," the release said. It was discovered in Michigan in 2002 and first detected in Texas in 2016, according to Texas A&M.

The species has been confirmed in Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Marion, Morris, Parker, Rusk, Tarrant, Titus and Wise Counties, the release said.

Oak wilt

Oak wilt is "one of the deadliest tree diseases" in the U.S., according to Texas A&M. It was first detected in 1961 in Texas and "has killed millions of trees across 76 counties."

The spores from the oak wilt fungus can be transferred by native sap beetles in late and early spring, which can infect new trees. Furthermore, the pathogen can impact live oaks in Central Texas, the release said.

Brazilian peppertree

Brazilian peppertree was first found in Texas back in the 1950s, which can kill native vegetation, the release said. It can also cause allergic reactions for some people.

Texas A&M said it continues to work with the Texas Gulf Region Cooperative Weed Management Area, which is located in Port Aransas. Both agencies address this species in the region via "eradication and education," the release said.

Laurel wilt and the red bay ambrosia beetle

Texas A&M said the redbay ambrosia beetle is responsible for spreading laurel wilt, and it has "killed more than half a billion trees." This impacts the sassafras and avocado industry in the southeastern U.S., the release said.

The agency said it continues working with the public, as well as private partners to "study the spread and distribution" of the species.

To learn more about invasive species in Texas, you can visit the Texas A&M Forest Service website.