Public urged to report alien species

THE PUBLIC is being asked to help the Irish Biodiversity Data Centre to help identify the number of alien species in the Republic by reporting sightings.

A programme called “Spot the Alien” was launched last evening and nature and garden lovers are being asked to report sightings of three invasive alien species which may have been seen in their area.
The centre has targeted the New Zealand flatworm, the harlequin ladybird and the distinctive red lily beetle in its programme.

Data centre schemes co-ordinator Colette O’Flynn said submissions can provide valuable data to help understand the level of invasion, distribution and spread of these species in Ireland.

“It is widely recognised that invasive species are one of the world’s greatest threats to biodiversity and have socio-economic impacts. Recent reports have shown the cost of alien invasive species in Europe is over € 12 billion per year and costs the British economy £1.7 billion per year.”

Ms O’Flynn added that the New Zealand flatworm kills our hard-working native earthworms in large quantities and the harlequin ladybird has been dubbed “the most invasive ladybird on Earth” and “the fastest spreading invasive insect in Europe”.

This ladybird is highly variable in looks but is larger than most of our native ladybirds, which it eats. It can winter in houses in the hundreds of thousands as it has done in England.

Ms O’Flynn said the distinctive red lily beetle attacks lilies and fritillary plants but is noticeable by its vibrant red with a black head, legs and antennae.

The New Zealand flatworm was fist recorded in Ireland in Belfast in the 1980s and has since spread rapidly southwards.

The Harlequin ladybird is found all over the country but to date, the red lily beetle has only been found in the Cork city area and in Belfast where it was first identified in 2002.

Ms O’Flynn said that having failed to prevent invasive species being introduced into Ireland, we must now detect their presence as a matter of urgency.

Heritage Council wildlife officer Cliona O’Brien said the data provided by public recording schemes was very valuable. “The importance of every record you submit should not be underestimated. I urge everyone to get involved in spotting these species and submitting their sighting to the invasive species database,” she said.

Sightings can be submitted to http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie where more information on Spot the Alien is available. The public is also asked to submit photographs, if possible, to assist verification.

SEÁN Mac CONNELL, Agriculture Correspondent
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0826/1224303005281.html