A invasive species is a non-native species that causes harm to the environment they have settled in. All invasive species are non native but not all non native species are invasive. For example, Gypsy Moths are invasive species, but also non native. Invasive species are one of the biggest problems in the world. See more examples below or on the water issues page.
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Purple LoosestrifeThe Purple Loosestrife is one of the many invasive species in Michigan. It covers 2% of Michigan along with infestation in almost every other state. It takes water and spreads at a very fast rate with up up to 2.7 million seeds annually. The reason that it is an invasive species is that it kills other native plants, destroying food for many animals. It was first brought to the east coast of North America in the 1800s. It is native to Europe and Asia. It’s seeds flowed through drains to many states and eventually sold as an ornamental plant.
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Sea LampreyIn the Great Lakes, the sea lamprey attacks native species of plants and animals by sticking onto them with their leech-like mouth. It was brought into the Great Lakes by the boats coming from the ocean that forgot to empty their balasts before coming into the Great Lakes.
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Glassy-Winged SharpshooterThe Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter is a beetle that is native to the southeastern United States. It has invaded California sense at least 1990 when it was probably introduced by nursery stock from the southeastern U.S. according to NISIC. The harm that this beetle caused was a disease called Vector of Pierce's disease, that damaged California's grape vines.
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