Invasive species reach Switzerland

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Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) spreads rapidly Keystone

The male Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)is considered one of the most dangerous broadleaf tree pests Keystone

Yellow skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) has a distinctive odour neophyt.ch

The oriental chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) was first recorded in canton Ticino, which is famous for its chestnuts Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org

Galls (outgrowths) as formed by the oriental chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) imago

Dried out chestnuts from a tree affected by the oriental chestnut gall wasp Keystone

False acacia (Robina pseudoacacia) is considered an invasive species imago

Rhus typhina is sometimes known as the stag's horn sumach or vinegar tree imago/Metodi Popow

The box tree month as a caterpillar (Glyphodes perspectalis). imago

And as an adult imago

Octopus Stinkhorn (Anthurus archeri, clathrus archeri). imago

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) imago

Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) imago/Redeleit

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). imago

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) imago

Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) imago

The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) from Asia is pushing out the native species imago

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) imago

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More and more non-native species are coming or being brought, often by accident, into Switzerland. Animals and plants are said to be invasive if they cause economic damage, harm human, livestock or plant health, or spread at the cost of native species. The Federal Office for the Environment lists 107 invasive species as having made it across the Swiss borders.