Where did Brazilian elodea come from? It is native to South America and was probably introduced as a result of aquarium releases or accidental shipment with aquatic plants. Why is it a problem? Brazilian elodea makes dense mats that crowd out native aquatic plants, create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and interfere with water-based recreation, such Read more about Brazilian elodea[…]
Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa) Brazilian elodea is a popular aquarium plan that has found its way into the Great Lakes region. It crowds out native aquatic plants, degrades fish and waterfowl habitat and creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Read more… Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) This strange aquatic invasive dies off in the middle of summer–when everything Read more about Plants[…]
Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist Titus Seilheimer shares helpful tips for reducing plastic marine debris.
Where did zebra mussels come from? Zebra mussels are believed to have come from the Caspian Sea in Europe. They arrived in the late 1980s in the ballast water of ships. Zebra mussels have spread to 20 of the United States and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. First found in Lake St. Clair, they Read more about Zebra Mussels[…]
Where did quagga mussel come from? Quagga mussels are native to the Dneiper River drainage of Ukraine. They most likely arrived in the ballast water of ocean going ships. The quagga mussel was first sighted in the Great Lakes in September 1989. Why is it a problem? Quagga are prodigious water filterers, thus removing Read more about Quagga Mussel[…]
Where did the mud snail come from? The mud snail is native to New Zealand. It was first found in Idaho and Montana in 1987. New Zealand mud snails have been spread to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and California waters. Why is the mud snail a problem? The New Zealand mud snail has no predators Read more about New Zealand Mud Snail[…]
Where did the golden mussel come from? The golden mussel is native to China and Southeast Asia. It probably made its way into South America via ballast water. Although it has not been detected in North America, it is predicted to be a future threat. Why is the golden mussel a problem? When the Read more about Golden mussel[…]
Where did the faucet snail come from? The faucet snail is a European native that arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1870s. It was probably introduced via vegetation in packing crates or in ballast water. Why is it a problem? Faucet snails are hosts to parasites that have caused tens of thousands of deaths Read more about Faucet Snail[…]
Where did the Chinese mystery snail come from? Native to eastern Asia Established on both coasts of the US by 1965 Found in the Great Lakes in the 1940s Why is it a problem? Chinese mystery snails can clog water-intake pipes. They may also transmit diseases and parasites to fish and other wildlife. They Read more about Chinese Mystery Snail[…]
What does it look like? Olive-green shell with 4-5 whorls with distinct sutures Large, up to 1 3/4 inches 4 reddish bands circle the shell (sometimes visible only from the inside) Ridges and “hairs” with hooked ends along the lip of the shell How does it spread? Some banded mystery snails are released Read more about Banded Mystery Snail[…]