Oneida County Invasive Species ID Day answers questions for area residents

The staff from the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department celebrated Invasive Species Awareness Weekend by holding Invasive Species ID Day at the pollinator garden at the Oneida County Courthouse. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) coordinator Stephanie Boismenue said this was the opportunity for residents and even visitors to bring in specimens they had found in their lake or even on their shoreline.

“Most of what we have seen brought in over the last few years have been native species,” she said. “That’s great, though, and there’s no reason for people to feel embarrassed that they weren’t sure what it was. That’s what we’re here for, and it is a great conversation starter for other issues they may have on their lake.”

Boismenue said pickerel weed, a native aquatic plant, is the one that is most often brought to these events. This native species can be confused with water hyacinth. As people see changes in their lakes over the years, they often have concerns, and sometimes rightly so. Boismenue said she would rather see people bring in plants about which they have questions than to attempt to take matters into their own hands or to worry about a plant that may not be a cause for concern.

She and her team had several invasive species on hand for visitors to look at and learn about. They also had a wealth of information for visitors to take back to their lakes with them and share with others. There were also phragmites plants on hand with their biocontrol beetles for people to learn more about. Both Oneida and Vilas counties have been involved in rearing and releasing beetles that spend their entire life cycle on invasive phragmites. These beetles do not target any other species and have the ability to stress the invasive phragmites without having an adverse effect on other species. This is a great option for larger stands that may not be able to be hand pulled. 

The undertaking to rear and release these beetles is a long one. Beetles are raised on host plants. They are then moved, with their host plants, to sites where phragmites have been found. From there the beetle populations take over and do their thing, stressing the plants and knocking them back.

Boismenue said she was happy to report that she had never seen an invasive species come to Invasive Species ID Day that had not been found in a waterbody previously. She added, however, that observations from riparian owners and other lake lovers are important in the fight against all invasive species. People who are on the lakes every day are most apt to notice changes early, and this is important in fighting invasive species, both in the water and on land.

At any time, anyone finding what they believe may be an invasive species, or who just might want an ID on a plant they have found in or around their lake, can bring that plant to the land and water conservation department for identification. Plants can simply be put into plastic zip bags with some water and brought in for identification. Alternatively, the land and water conservation department can be reached at 715-369-7835.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].