Invasive Species Management
Camden County Extension works to educate residents on coastal invasive species and the tools to manage them. We work extensively with other local, state, federal, and non-profit agencies towards this common goal. Camden County Extension is a partner in the Coastal Georgia Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). Below you can see some of our initiatives as well as a pdf of one of our presentations on invasive plants. If you have questions or concerns about invasive species management please contact our Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent at uge3039@uga.edu.
On this page
- Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape
- Invasie Species Explained
- Air Potato
- Island Apple Snails
- Argentine Black & White Tegus
- Cuban Tree Frog
- Joro Spider
- Spotted Lanternfly
Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape
Invasive Plants in the Home Landscape Presentation (Camden ANR Blog Post)
Air Potato
Air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera, is a highly invasive vine from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Camden County Extension has partnered with the Georgia Forestry Commission to fight the air potato infestation in Camden County.
Air Potato Ecology and Management brochure (pdf) - info as plain text below
Ecology:
- Highly invasive plant species originally from Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
- Grows up to 8 inches per day
- Grows up to 70 feet in length
- Smothers tree canopies and increases risk of fire
- Produces “bulbils” at every leaf node which drop to the ground and sprout a new plant
- Very prolific
- Displaces and chokes out native plant species
Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Large heart shaped leaves
- Alternate leaves
- All veins originate at the leaf base
- In late summer or early fall the
plant produces a bulbil or
“potato” at every leaf node - Vines die back in winter
Treatment Options:
Mechanical Conrol
- Cut back vines
- Collect potatoes that have fallen to the ground and dig up buried potatoes by following vines to the source. Incinerate bulbils or freeze overnight before disposal
Chemical Control
- Triclopyr or glyphosate / follow all label directions
Biological Control (Air Potato Beetle - Lilioceris cheni)
- Adults are approximately 9mm long and 4mm wide
- Elytra (hardened outer wings) are red, orange, or brown
- Head, thorax, legs, and abdomen are black Females deposit clusters of eggs on the underside of young leaves
- Females produce more than 1200 eggs in their lifetime
- Adults live 5 or more months
- Adults and larvae feed on air potato
- Feed primarily on leaf tissue and occasionally on bulbils
- Feeds only on air potato vine
Island Apple Snails
Island apple snails, Pomacea maculata, are invasive snails native to South America that are very damaging to lake and pond ecosystems. These snails have been documented in several ponds throughout Camden County. Camden County Extension is working with the Department of Natural Resources to reduce the populations of these very large and destructive snails. Additional information on the Island Apple Snail EDDMaps
Argentine Black and White Tegus
Argentine black and white tegus are an invasive species that pose a threat to birds, mammals and insects in Georgia. They eat fruit, vegetables, pet food and eggs, including the eggs—and young—of gopher tortoises. If you see an Argentine black and white tegu we ask you to please report it to the DNR and dispatch the animal if possible. Please see the link below for more information.
Argentine Black and White Tegus Information
Cuban Tree Frog
Cuban Tree frogs are an invasive species originating in Cuba, the Caymans and the Bahamas that have established populations up through Florida. Jekyll Island is the only known breeding population in Georgia. These frogs out compete native tree frogs, and also predate on our native tree frogs. These invasive love to hide out in plants, most predominantly the Travelers palm.
How to Identify a Cuban Tree Frog:
- Bulging eyes • Large Toe pads • Males have black patches on front foot. • Typically larger than natives
- Cuban Tree Frogs typically have a brownish green coloration. Sometimes the color morph can be lighter to the point that the skin is white. Most adults will have the brownish green coloration. Many even forming warts.
- Cuban tree frogs range in size, the largest, adult females, can grow to be 5.5 inches long. Adult males are typically smaller. Juvenile frogs, are smaller even, typically the size of native tree frogs, around 2 inches.
- If you find a Cuban Tree Frog please call the Wildlife Cell Phone at: (912)222-5992
Native Look-A-Likes:
- Green Tree Frog; Squirrel Tree Frog; Southern Toad
Cuban Tree Frog
Cuban Tree Frog
Joro Spider
Spotted Lanternfly
