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Stuff.co.nz is reporting that a fanworm ( Sabella spallanzanii ) native to the Mediterranean may have established itself at a port in New Zealand. The marine worm was first found last month, prompting a thorough search that yielded several specimens. Given that this species is prone to forming dense mats, officials are looking into whether eradication is a possibility.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reporting that the emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ) has been found in Quebec, the first record for that province. The insect was apparently spotted in the Montérégie region , in Quebec's Southwestern corner, close to the border with Ontario (currently home to several infestations) and close to the US border as well. The CFIA is planning to ramp up surveys of ash trees where the beetles were found, and will likely institute some kind of a quarantine to prevent the movement of ash products away from the infested area.

As reported on the ISW Twitter feed several weeks ago, the island apple snail ( Pomacea insularum ) was discovered in the state of South Carolina last May, the furthest north the mollusk has been found in the USA. Now Myrtle Beach Online has an update on how officials are dealing with the snails, in order to prevent their spread from the ponds they've been inhabiting. So far management efforts have included treating the ponds with copper sulfate to kill the snails, with additional applications planned if more eggs are found. One interesting tidbit from the article: The snails were originally discovered by a 9-year-old! It was only when her mom casually mentioned the snails during a call to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources about what fish she could stock in the pond that the DNR realized there might be a problem. P.S. - Don't miss the photo gallery that accompanies the article!

The Mercury News, among others, is reporting that plans for the spraying of pheromones to combat the light brown apple moth ( Epiphyas postvittana , or "LBAM") in northern California were scaled back. The change follows a public outcry and concern that the chemicals in the spray could cause harm to human health. The California Department of Food and Agriculture will instead focus the aerial spraying program mainly agricultural and undeveloped, and will continue to use the pheromone to thwart the LBAM through manually applied lures. In addition, the CDFA is ramping up a program to release sterile male moths that will begin in 2009. Thanks to Dawn E. for sending in a link to this story.