Dave Coyle

JoroWatch is officially on! Submit your photos of Joro spiders for a chance to win prizes and help science!

Large numbers of ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are likely becoming increasing fouled by algae & diverse invertebrates. These species will subsequently be dispersed over a global scale when normal shipping operations resume. #bioinvasions #invasivespecies link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Removing the keystone would cause the arch to collapse. This is the classic analogy for the concept of a "keystone species" - a species whose influence on the structure & diversity of a community is so strong relative to its abundance that its removal would cause the structure to collapse. #ecology

Grow more trees, you say? Often where trees would grow best and make the most $$ for growers are also the places best suited for agricultural crops. In the Midwest, corn/soybeans/sugar beets/whatever are more valuable than trees. It all boils down to economics. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Hot off the press! Status update for the #invasivespecies Asian longhorned beetle in the U.S. Note the new double spot in SC... #wompwomp More information at www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-...

The global spread of this beetle “will fundamentally alter ecosystem structure and landscape dynamics wherever it gains a foothold.” I also expect it will exacerbate the urban heat island effect by reducing the tree canopy in every city it invades. #bioinvasions www.science.org/content/arti...

Jay and I conduct "caterpillar walks" every year, and I know this webinar will be engaging, entertaining, and have lots of amazing caterpillar pictures. Register for free at: www.scwf.org/events/intro...

Wow. “The three directorates are being required to pull back NSF proposals that have already passed peer review and have been recommended for funding. Some of the funds will be funnelled to another project, a brainchild of the White House OSTP.” www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Good morning. Today is the LAST DAY to comment on the proposed OMB rule that will, honestly, destroy science in the US. And it will do FAR MORE THAN THAT. www.theverge.com/science/9576...

There's a fungus amongus (and no I'm not talking about the debut album from Incubus) and we brought all these #fungi together so you can see just how many forest #pathogens are in much of North America. Some lists are lame, but this one is pretty cool... neobiota.pensoft.net/article/1579...

Where it is or what it is? That is the question (we tried to answer). While a lot of native saproxylic insects used a non-native tree species (eucalyptus), it wasn't as many as used a native tree species (loblolly pine). #bioinvasions #nativespecies #decomposers www.nature.com/articles/s41...

“[It’s] like a big ‘Going Out of Business’ sign on the storefront of American science.” ESA Executive Director Chris Stelzig joined other scientific society leaders in discussing the impacts of OMB’s proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.” scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2026/07/08/g...

Interested in #invasivespecies and #bioinvasions anyone? Join us for a free webinar tomorrow!

wait what

Please take the time to review and sign this petition in support of the U.S. National Fungus Collections, which are being threatened in the face of the USDA reorganization efforts. c.org/KQWY7fNhGw 🍄

Good, clear thread here on the potential impacts our own government may have on science.

It’s truly astonishing to see how comprehensively the US government is tearing down every part of the system that has made it up until now a world-leading power in science, research, and technological development. The entire world will suffer from this wanton destruction.

I know I'm a bit old school on the whole AI thing, but I do believe there is immense value in the ability of people to put their own thoughts in writing - and not just edit a bunch of words put together by some Skynet system and say they're our own.

When someone says „Scientists do not want you to know“ you can dismiss everything from there on. Scientists want you to know. They are desperate that you know. They can’t shut up about what they found out and want you to know.

Can you detect invasive plants from the air? Yes you can! I mean, it's not as easy as it sounds, but it can be done... www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Check out our shiny new paper on Anoplophora beetles! We summarize the history and what's known about this group of global invaders and perpetual pests. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Screwworm imported from Argentina, caught at border inspection in Florida. The interception isn't itself cause for alarm and shows the government is still functioning. Still, it's a demonstration of propagule pressure, and the re-establishment of screwworm here is likely a matter of when, not if.

'Tis the season, y'all.

It's one thing to know *what* an #invasivespecies is, and it's another to know *how* to impact real change. This course will teach you the latter, and (we hope) will equate to measurable on-the-gound action to help battle the invasive species problem in the U.S. and abroad. Check it out!

Two new studies offer good news about Jorō spiders: Products labelled for spider control are safe and effective against them, and they are both unlikely to bite and generally harmless if they do. /by @drdavecoyle.bsky.social

Joro spiders want 3 things: to not be touched or held, to not be in your house, and to not bite you. Great new article by Gayoung Lee @gizmodo.com! gizmodo.com/theyre-huge-...

Entomologists have been saying this for a while, but new evidence published confirms: Joro spiders are not a major health risk. See original thread for link to research papers

Want to get rid of Joro spiders? This #bioinvasion can be managed using commonly available products. Sure, other things work, but please just stick to the labeled stuff (i.e., don't spray machine lubricant all over the place). New #openaccess study in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JEE provides info.

Will Joro spiders (a #bioinvasion in the SE US) bite you, and if they do will it hurt? Turns out they won't bite without a LOT of provocation, and their bites are akin to a mosquito bite - some redness, swelling, and largely gone in a day. Study is #openaccess in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JME.

Through a four-month fellowship in South Carolina, a scientist from the isle of Jersey learned from local experts, built professional collaborations, and gained in-depth experience that will advance invasive species response efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. entomologytoday.org/2025/10/03/b...

Super psyched to have a bunch of our ALB work come out in this special issue! #bioinvasions

Modelling biological processes can be hard, and even harder when scientists and land managers aren't on the same page. We need better communication between these groups, especially with #bioinvasions. Communication matters, y'all. @biolinvasions.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...

The boxtree moth was recently found in several new states (MD, VA, WV) and is likely to keep spreading. This #invasivespecies is a recent #bioinvasions that threatens boxwoods - a very common landscape plant. This OA paper in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JIPM gives a good summary of this pest.

Large chunks of people's favorite trees seemingly go leafless overnight this time of year, usually thanks to caterpillars. Our paper (w/ @kellyoten.bsky.social & #nobluesky Robert Jetton) in @entsocamerica.bsky.social's JIPM highlights several species in the SE US: academic.oup.com/jipm/article...

I love this figure in our review of sawflies of eastern North America. Shout out to @flydrocarbon.bsky.social for leading the charge and the @catherinelinnen.bsky.social lab! Check out the paper in the @entsocamerica.bsky.social Journal of Integrated Pest Management: academic.oup.com/jipm/article...

The hot, humid, dog days of summer in the southeastern U.S. means the #invasivespecies kudzu is in out and in all it's glory. Not familiar with this weed? Wondering why we care about this #bioinvasion? Curious as to how to get rid of it? This video might just help... www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Kj...

How do you get rid of invasive Elaeagnus in a forested landscape? We found that you have to get herbicide to the stem or stump because the drooping growth pattern creates an umbrella, preventing good foliar coverage. A simple, yet useful study! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

TAKE OFF, EH. Emerald ash borer is on the move again (though truth be told, it's not all that surprising...).

The Department of Government Efficiency showing what it means to be, well, not efficient.

Southern pine beetle y'all! The most impactful insect pest of pines in eastern North America. And if you haven't been listening to the I See Dead Plants podcast, well, you're missing out.

🚨 Only 1 week left! 🚨 Submit your abstracts and register by Feb 28th for the International Young Researchers Conference on Invasive Species! 🗓️ May 6-7, 2025 | 🌍 Online & Free 📢 Connect, share insights, and network with young researchers worldwide tackling invasive species! iyrcis.webs.uvigo.es

New work in the @entsocamerica.bsky.social's Journal of Economic Entomology examines an eruptive native herbivore, the baldcypress leafroller (Archips goyerana), in the southern U.S. (aren't baldcypress swamps cool?) and shows they're more common than we thought... academic.oup.com/jee/advance-...

I was fortunate enough to take part in the Kentucky Forest Health Conference earlier this month. Nearly 300 people gathered to learn all about #foresthealth and #bioinvasions issues in the state. It was great to hang out with old friends Ellen and Abe, too!

A few of my favorite slides from my #ISAT2025 talk where I spoke about using social media to help with #invasivespecies and #bioinvasions messaging. Also the first time I used the word "bunghole" in a professional presentation, so there's that. #iykyk

And here. We. Go. Day 1 of the Invasive Species Ambassador Training at the beautiful Lake Guntersville State Park. Our goal this week is to help #bioinvasions folks increase the impact of their program, expand their reach, and forge new relationships. After all, we're all in this together.