{"id":2770,"date":"2026-03-22T22:44:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T22:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keyapa.com\/sp\/?p=2770"},"modified":"2026-03-22T22:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T22:57:28","slug":"another-fire-ant-fiasco-trying-to-eradicate-or-control-widespread-grass-invasives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keyapa.com\/sp\/2026\/03\/22\/another-fire-ant-fiasco-trying-to-eradicate-or-control-widespread-grass-invasives\/","title":{"rendered":"Another fire ant fiasco: Trying to eradicate or control widespread grass invasives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Arundo
Arundo donax<\/em> in NJ, USA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the 1960s, and extending into the 1980s, large-scale government efforts to eradicate fire ants (Solenopsis invicta<\/em>) in the United States of America failed miserably. This was in my thoughts as I read a fascinating and well-researched piece about efforts by the government to contain an invasive grass called Arundo donax<\/em> in Texas<\/a>, because even in this relatively small scale effort, the combatants have been unable to make headway against the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arundo donax<\/em> is a very large species that is a member of the subfamily Arundinoideae, and as befits its prominent presence, it has a range of common names, including giant cane, elephant grass, carrizo, arundo, Spanish cane, Colorado river reed, wild cane, and giant reed. Like all the other members of the Arundinoideae (and unlike many members of the PACMAD clade of the Poaceae), it uses C3 photosynthesis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Arundo
Arundo donax<\/em> in New Mexico.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This perennial grass that was introduced in the 1800s into the USA is an invasive par excellence in riparian areas, using its fast growth and tall stature to form monotypic stands to push out native species (including trees). It also increases fire risk and disrupts the hydrology of places that it invades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Taeniatherum
Taeniatherum caput-medusae <\/em>(medusahead) in California.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the Texas border, its presence facilitates movement of undocumented immigrants, and so its removal was given high priority by the government. But even in such a relatively small scale project, controlling it has become very difficult. Not only due to the innate pervasiveness and verdant nature of the grass, but also due to human bureaucracy, coordination problems and competition between agencies, underfunding, and other legal problems such as the sorting of border disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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