ALIEN PLANT SPECIES THAT INVADED ABOUT 50 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.

There are many alien species in our county and most of the people are not aware that alien invasive species are poison to natural species. Lantana camara is a shrub found in the bush and is native at central and south part of America (1). Lantana camara preferred to grow in fertile soils, where there is enough water and it can survive drought season.

The height of Lantana camara is 1.8 metres tall. Lantana camara has opposite leaves that are 5 to 12 centimetres long and the wide ranges from 3 to 5 centimetres. The leaves of Lantana camara also have rounded teeth. The leaves of Lantana camara have sweet smelling and hairs. The stem and leaves of Lantana camara are covered by hairs (2).

The fruits of Lantana camara are greenish-blue to black in colour and they are fresh Lantana camara has vigour (poison) that kills Herbivores animals (rabbits, cattle, and sheep) feed on its leaves. The vigour can also cause the sores at the eyes, mouth, and noise to the herbivores animals that feed on its leaves (3).

The research i about the alien invasive species is done and the results indicated thatSouth Africa is evaded by over 9000 species (4). The researchers also found that 198 of alien species are invaders species and they cause an ecological threat to native species (1). According to the Eden wildy, about 576 million meters square (m²) alien species invade and replace the native plants in KwaZulu-Natal per year (4). This is too bad because the area will end up dominated by alien species.

Lantana camara is regarded as a major problem that is not easy to be controlled. Agricultural and natural lands are the areas that are invaded by Lantana camara. Lantana camara is also a poison crop (coffee and bananas) and human birds and animals contributed on speding the weeds accidentaly. Some people planted Lantana camara at their fence rows not knowing that they plant a toxic plants. Lantana can cause the death to the navitive species and people must stay away from them.

Many solutions can be done to control or reduce spreading of alien invasive species in our home and country as a whole. The programme of working for water must organise an environmental awareness campaign to communities. It will help the people who do not about alien invasive species. Let the community know the danger of the alien invasive species. Landowners must check their land every time. People must carefully clean their cloths after visiting the bush. Medias ( radios, television, and newspapers) can be used to teach people about alien invader plants. Hands can be use to pull the invasive alien species. One can cut down the stem of alien species and apply or spray herbicides on the stem to kill invasive alien species. Tools such as pick can be used to uproot the large plants.

References:

1. Eden Wildy. Lantana camara. Alien Invaded Plants.[ Online]. 2006 April 23. [Cited 2007 January 22]. Accessed on:
http://www.geocities.com/wessaaliens/species/lantana.htm

2. Anonymous. Lantana camara. Floridata. [ Online]. 2006. [cited 2006 January 23]. Accessed on:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/lant_c.cfm

3. Anonymous. African Invaded:Lantana camara. The Global Invasive Species Progamme. [ Online]. 2003. [ Cited 2007 January 22]. Accessed on:
http://www.gisp.org/casestudies/showcasestudy.asp?id=57&MyMenuItem=casestudies&worldmap=&country=

4. Eden Wildy. Lantana camara. Alien Invaded Plants.[ Online]. 2006 April 23. [Cited 2007 January 22]. Accessed on:
http://www.geocities.com/wessaaliens/index.htm

Lizzy Maluleke

CSIR PTA

0001

Tell [012] 841 2133

Fax [012] 842 3676

E-mail mmaluleke@csir.co.za

Weblog: http://mmaluleke.blogspot.com

FIRE ANTS GIVE A BURNING BITE

It was on the 4^th December 2006 when I here about the fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata). I read the article from the Daily sun newspaper and the article was talking about the dangerous of the fire ants. According to the daily sun, there are over 280 species of fire ants species on the world (1). The fire ants are reddish brown to black in colour. The length of fire ants ranges from 1millimetres and above. Fire ants are native at southern and central part of America and they are invaded in west of Africa (Gabon, Cameroon). According to the article, South African not yet invaded by Wasmannia auropunctata (2).

Fire ants prefer to dwell in disturbed areas (garden) and in riparian zones. They are also prefers to live in large colonies. Fire ants also produce mound in the open areas. Fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) are very dangerous insects for human and other species. Fire ants attack small animals and kill them by injecting venom (poison). Wasmannia auropunctata feeds on seeds, plants, and crickets.

Fire ants can bite and inject venomous sting into eyes of other species and it will cause blindness. The article also informs the people stay away from fire ants and not tough the nest of the ants because they can spray a powerful acid when it stings that will cause wound. Fire ants can cause declines in other organisms. They also compete with indigenous ants within the affected area.

References:

1. Sun Reporter. 2006 December 4. Daily sun. page 38 ( col 2)

2. Wetterer J. k. Wasmannia auropunctata. Global Invasive Species Database. [Online]. 2006 June 20.[Cited 2006 January 24]. Accessed on:http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=58&fr=1&sts

Lizzy Maluleke

CSIR PTA

0001

Tell [012] 841 2133

Fax [012] 842 3676

E-mail mmaluleke@csir.co.za

Weblog: http://mmaluleke.blogspot.com