introduced species

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Cymbalaria muralis "Ivy-leaved Toadflax" Plantaginaceae (Scrophulariaceae)

Tacoma, WA
May 2013
Robert Niese

A common garden creeper, introduced from Mediterranean Europe. Very cute and very tiny (~1cm).

This plant has an unusual method of propagation. The flower stalk is initially positively phototropic and moves towards the light—after fertilization it becomes negatively phototropic and moves away from the light. This results in seed being pushed into dark crevices of rock walls, where it is more likely to germinate and where it prefers to grow.

This individual flower has, in fact, been pollinated.

Learn more…

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Salticus scenicus “Zebra Jumping Spider” Salticidae (female)

Missoula, MT
June 26, 2014
Robert Niese

This abundant, charismatic jumping spider was introduced to the US from Europe, but can now be found throughout most of the North American continent.

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Ectoedemia sericopeza “Norway Maple Seedminer” Nepticulidae

Missoula, MT
September 25, 2014
Robert Niese

These teensy-tiny moths are rarely over 2mm in length and are among some of the smallest lepidopterans in the world. Their larvae, which are equally infinitesimal, feed exclusively on (and within!) the tissues of the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), an introduced species which lines most of our streets here in Missoula.

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Agapeta zoegana “Sulphur Knapweed Moth” Tortricidae

August 14, 2014
Missoula, MT
Robert Niese

These diminutive moths (10mm in length) are obligate parasites of our invasive knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and were introduced in 1984 as a potential biological control agent.