The inspiration for this post is obviously, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas.
Santa’s sleigh is being pulled by Cat Flea. Santa is played by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. (Flea also played with a group called The Insects.) Along for the ride are Asian Longhorn, Emerald Ash Borer and Soybean Aphid. 2010 has been another banner year for invasive insects.
So many invasives are now in the US that the greatest threat to states are invasives entering from neighboring states, rather than from abroad. This was noted in the Journal, Nature,
“…the immediate threat from known invasive insect pests is greater from within the United States than without. Our findings have potentially significant implications for biosecurity policy, emphasizing the need to consider biosecurity measures beyond established national border interventions.”
Yet another year has passed with as many new insect challenges as old insect problems, solved. Entomologists never get bored or run out of things to do.
Feliz Navidad and Happy Holidays
Fleas Navidad
Living With Insects Blog 