NOTES FOR THE PRESENTATION INVASIVE SPECIES These are introduced living organisms which are not native

in the area where they are located and they affect native living organisms by taking their resources away or by using them inappropiately. INVASIVE SPECIES IN GALAPAGOS Scientists are very worried as the biggest threats in the Galapagos is caused by the mssive amount of introduced species. In 1535, humans introduced animals such as goats, rats, insects and other plants in the Galapagos as these islands were considered as a stop to gather food for pirates and other visitors. Luckily more than 95% of the native species remain intact, but as the Galapagos are isolated, the animals are more vulnreable to new arrivals. Now, the national park is trying to do campaigns and everything they can to stop this from affecting species. Cottony Cushion Scale & impact It is also called Pulgon or the Australian Bug. This insect comes from Australia and it was found at the Galapagos in 1982.This specie affects at least 98 of the endemic plants in the Galapagos. and some crops as the citrus, oranges and more. This specie inmediately invadede 15 islands in the archipelago. The Icerya purchasi affects crutially plants as it covers the plant and starts to eat it or slowing its growth; producing a sugary excretion, honey dew, which favors the appearance of the black fumagine fungus on the leaves and disfigures them. Besides, this honey dew created by this insect attracts ants, and finally ants end up destroying the plant completely. Control The Galapagos National Park was truly worried about his issue so after doing researchs they found out that lady bugs can eat this insect. In 2002, the GNP allowed the use od ladybirds for the treatment of this plague. After 4 years of intesive research, scientists finally decided to put these insects on inhabited islans in order to see if they worked. More than 2000 of these insects were located here. Thanks to its fast reprouction, the ladybirds nmediately fed on this plague.This produced a satisfactory result for the scietists. From then and on, lady birds are thrown ere this plague is found and they get in charge of eating it and therefore erradicating it. RESULTS Thanks to the previous solution, now the Galapagos arent as attacked as they were before by el Pulgon. The archipelago i snow under control.