If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em: alien invaders incorporated into local cuisine

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment angling, exotic pests, exotic species, fishing, Nantou County, Sun Moon Lake

A restaurant in Nantou County is serving up a dish featuring giant snakehead fish caught in Sun Moon Lake, in the hope that creating a market will help reduce numbers of the ecologically destructive invasive species. Local angler Huang Hsiaosi made news headlines earlier this week when he caught 14 of the voracious predator fish in a 9-hour overnight fishing session on Sun Moon Lake using live carp as bait. Huang said that a total of 29 fish took the

Environment

November 13, 2021November 13, 2021 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment exotic pests, invasive species, Nantou County

On of the top 100 invasive species in the world – the cane toad (Rhinella marina), has been found in Nantou County, Taiwan, according to the Nantou Forest Management Office. An amphibian conservation volunteer team recently discovered the toads in a vegetable garden in Caotun Township, Nantou County. The team undertook a search and removed 27 individuals from the garden. The Nantou Forest Management Office contacted Professor Yang Yiru of National Dong Hwa University, and in cooperation with conservation volunteers

Animals

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ants, exotic pests, New Taipei City

The chairman of the Tamsui Fisheries Association of New Taipei City died after suffering suspected anaphylactic shock following an attack by red fire ants, Saturday, June 12. Zheng Kangzhong (鄭康忠), 48, was stung by the ants while on duty inspecting a road planning project at the Xiaguzi Fishing Port adjacent to the Port of Taipei, Saturday. Zheng suffered from itching and swelling after returning home, and was sent to the hospital after his symptoms worsened. Zheng was given first aid

Animals

November 6, 2020November 6, 2020 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment exotic pests, invasive species, Taipei City

A species of crayfish that reproduces asexually, and first appeared in Germany in 1995 before spreading through Europe and Africa, has been found infesting ponds in Da’an Forest Park, Taipei City. Taipei City Councilor Lo Chih-chiang (罗智强) held a press conference today, and said that a large number of the marbled crayfish had appeared in the ecological ponds of Da’an Forest Park. Lo revealed that the marbled crayfish were first discovered in the park in June last year by Associate

fall armyworm detected in corn crop in Taiwan

Business and Economy

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Agriculture, exotic pests, fall armyworm, invasive species

Agriculture officials confirmed today that caterpillars found on a farm in Miaoli County two days ago have been positively identified as fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive species that has devastated crops across north America, Africa, the middle east, and continental Asia in recent years. The suspect larvae were found on a corn crop at the Flying Cow Ranch in Tongxiao Township, June 8, and were sent to the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine for analysis.

Environment

January 18, 2017 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ants, exotic pests

Police and Council of Agriculture officials raided a residence in Miaoli County this morning and confiscated thousands of live ants imported from China. The haul included species that could cause significant damage to Taiwan’s ecology, and agricultural industry. A 35 year old man surnamed Liu imported the ants from China after purchasing them on the Tabao network. He had been using Facebook to sell the ants. More than 1,000 ants were seized consisting of various species, some of which were

giant stink bug in Taiwan Tessaratoma papillosa

Environment

November 10, 2016November 10, 2016 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment exotic pests, giant stink beetles, Keelung

Taiwan Environmental Information Center has reported that Keelung City has experienced an explosion of giant stink bugs this year. The bugs can spurt a skin-burning venom when disturbed. The exotic species, Tessaratoma papillosa, is believed to have traveled by ship from Kinmen in 2009. The bugs are commonly found in China. Since they arrived, they have been recorded all over the island except for Hualien and Taitung counties. The giant stink bugs are a pest in trees of the Sapindaceae

exotic pests

If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em: alien invaders incorporated into local cuisine

Invasive giant toad species found in Taiwan

Fisheries chairman dead after being stung by fire ants in New Taipei City

Mutant invasive crayfish found infesting ponds in Taipei City park

Serious crop pest “fall armyworm” detected for the first time in Taiwan

Man Busted for Importing and Selling Exotic Ants

Exotic Venom-spurting Stinkbugs Invade Taiwan