Scientists now have another problem on their hands. The foreign species of beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer is now multiplying and this is becoming a problem. This beetle got to the U.S from asia in a cargo ship in 1990. Now this beetle is multiplying and causing problems. These beetles are destroying ash trees around the Michigan area and they are now spreading. It will cost the U.S over 7 billion dollars to replace the dead ash trees. Due to this tremendous amount, scientists came up with the idea to release chinese wasps to destroy the larvae of these beetles. Though this seems harmless, this can become a problem. Dr. James Dunn says, "Bringing in an exotic species to control an invasive species can create a lot of problems." Dr Dunn says that there is a lot probability of this plan working and if it does not, it can trouble the native species around the area. Researchers have now found an alternative solution that can also help. It will be a trap that can capture these beetles and now 47/50 states have adopted this idea.
I think that releasing these wasps is not a good idea. It has a low chance of working and can be very dangerous . Along with that, scientists are not sure if they will not attack any native species of beetles. If they do, it can further damage the native species of our country and maybe cause some to go extinct. I think that the trapping idea is a lot safer but not as effective but it can help greatly. Overall, I agree with Dr. Dunn that releasing these wasps can end up bad but if it works out it can be very effective.
What do you think about the releasing of these wasps?
Do you think the plan will work? Why?
What do you predict will happen to our ash trees int he future?
I think that releasing the wasps has more potential to be a threat than a cure to the environment. Unless you can tell the wasps to only go after the beetles, than I think that the introduced wasp species could also then become invasive. I don't think that this plan will work. I think that the ash trees will have some trouble, but I beleive that they can hang in there. Set up some traps for the beetles and if that fails, the wasp idea should be tested before it is used.
ReplyDeleteI think releasing the wasps while it has a high probablility of working, is not a good idea. Like Ryan said, they are not told to only go after the bad beetles and could destroy some native species that we need. I am glad the states adopted the traps because although it may take longer, it is safer and possibly more effective because the wasp has many possibilities of not working.
ReplyDeleteVery good article Aadit. I agree with you about the idea of releasing the wasps. Releasing the wasps could cause much damage to the environment. You can not control nature and what it does. Theres no way of telling wasps to do exactly what you want. I dont believe this plan will work. Their taking a chance if they decide to do the plan and it could end up bad. The native species could be harmed which could mess with the food chain even more. The trap idea sounds much more reliable. I think that the ash trees will survive. The ash trees could possibly adapt to the beetles and find a way to survive. I think the states should try the trap and see how it works.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the wasps should be released because it's more than likely that they will cause yet another problem that was not anticipated by anyone. This whole thing reminds me of the nursery rhyme about the old lady who ate a fly. The more species we introduce to solve the orginal problem, the more new problems we create which in turn demand even more species to be introduced. Hopefully the traps will do a good job of targetting the single invasive beetle whereas peseticides would destroy native species as well.
ReplyDelete