An eye on potential invasive species

There are many invasive species to keep an eye out for here in the Shenandoah Valley such as English Ivy, Lantern Fly, Kudzu, Hemlock, Spongy Moths, and the list goes on and on. For my class assignment I focused on two main invasives for Virginians to keep an eye out for their persistence and presence. Invasive species are organisms that successfully inhabit, survive, and reproduce in a habitat that is not native to its range. They are often generalists in their climate, habitat, and food source, opportunistic in their feeding and home, and able to reproduce many offspring quickly. Organisms relocate through accidental or purposeful means through released pets, release of water from ballasts of ships, through shipments of goods and produce, scientist introduction to control other species, and for many other reasons. My first species is the European Starling - this was a purposeful introduction from a Shakespeare lover in the United States and to control insect populations in New Zealand. I have seen this species all over our area and can see their impact. The second species is the Eurasian Water-Milfoil. This species was introduced through an accidental introduction, and while I have heard about it more though my time around the Chesapeake bay, it is certainly a species to have an eye on.