Author: Christian Ries

Wandering cribellate spider Zoropsis spinimana discovered in Echternach

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

On November 15th 2018 Jos A. Massard and Gaby Geimer discovered a female of the wandering cribellate spider Zoropsis spinimana on the window of a pastry shop in Echternach (Massard & Geimer 2018). This spider is a new species for Luxembourg and is currently spreading throughout Europe. The detailed up to date distribution of the species can be found on the Luxembourgian Wikipedia (Wikipedia-Bearbeiter 2018).

The home of Zoropsis spinimana is the western Mediterranean region up to the southern edge of the Alps and Dalmatia, as well as North Africa, where it occurs in the open in light forests, under stones and bark or in and at buildings (Wikipedia contributors 2018).

References

 Last updated on Mon, Nov 26, 2018.

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

In July 2018 a group of countries launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing Citizen Science (CS), advancing scientific understanding of Alien Species (AS) dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network.

All details in the following publication:

Roy H, Groom Q, Adriaens T, Agnello G, Antic M, Archambeau A, Bacher S, Bonn A, Brown P, Brundu G, López B, Cleary M, Cogălniceanu D, de Groot M, De Sousa T, Deidun A, Essl F, Fišer Pečnikar Ž, Gazda A, Gervasini E, Glavendekic M, Gigot G, Jelaska S, Jeschke J, Kaminski D, Karachle P, Komives T, Lapin K, Lucy F, Marchante E, Marisavljevic D, Marja R, Martín Torrijos L, Martinou A, Matosevic D, Mifsud C, Motiejūnaitė J, Ojaveer H, Pasalic N, Pekárik L, Per E, Pergl J, Pesic V, Pocock M, Reino L, Ries C, Rozylowicz L, Schade S, Sigurdsson S, Steinitz O, Stern N, Teofilovski A, Thorsson J, Tomov R, Tricarico E, Trichkova T, Tsiamis K, van Valkenburg J, Vella N, Verbrugge L, Vétek G, Villaverde C, Witzell J, Zenetos A, Cardoso A (2018) Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI). Research Ideas and Outcomes 4: e31412. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.4.e31412

 Last updated on Wed, Nov 7, 2018.

First record of Amaranthus cruentus in Luxembourg

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Field of Amaranthus cruentus between Ell and Lannen, 20th September 2017. Photo by Claire Wolff, SICONA.

Amaranthus cruentus L. was first observed in the wild 1 in Luxembourg, on 28th August 2018, on the border of maize fields and a pasture between Ell and Lannen in the Canton of Redange (Midwestern area of Luxembourg).

An on-site inspection on 29th August 2018 revealed that the population extends over 300 m at the edge of the fields and at the roadside between the coordinates LUREF 56775 E | 93241 N and 56758 E | 93542 N. Several specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the National Museum of Natural History.

This population is probably a consequence of the cultivation of this species on an adjacent field in 2017, as the photo on the right illustrates.

Image gallery

Photos by Christian Ries, MNHNL, 29th August 2018.

Useful links

 

 Last updated on Fri, Aug 31, 2018.

Notes:

  1. The observer was Mrs Renée Coljon of the administration of the municipality of Ell. The information was transmitted via SICONA to the National Museum of Natural History. ↩

Interregional Parliamentary Council issues recommendation on IAS in the Greater Region

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

On 1 June 2018, the Interregional Parliamentary Council (ICC) has issued a recommendation concerning Invasive plants and animal species in the Greater Region, following the meeting of Committee 4 “Environment and Agriculture” on 27 April 2018 in Remerschen, Luxembourg.

Original document

Excerpt of the recommendations (translated)

The Interregional Parliamentary Council

  1. calls for consistency in the implementation of management measures and objectives (eradication, control, containment) and further exchanges on management methods and priority intervention sites for efficient use of resources;
  2. strongly emphasises the need for coordinated prevention and control actions throughout the Greater Region, on a cross-border basis;
  3. invites all partners in the Greater Region to draw up an exhaustive inventory of public and private bodies responsible for implementing research and methods to combat invasive species;
  4. proposes to support existing mechanisms, such as www.neobiota.lu, for the exchange of information on control methods and the sharing of good practices that have proved effective;
  5. calls for citizens to be informed about the presence of invasive plant and animal species in the Greater Region, the related health and economic risks, and the preventive measures to be taken to protect themselves;
  6. hopes that professionals selling seeds, landscape gardeners and farmers will be made aware of this approach in order to encourage the use of local plant species;
  7. recommends systematic reporting, the development of common tools for identifying and monitoring the most widespread species in the Greater Region, the introduction of monitoring and early detection of the most dangerous species (warning network) and the development of exchanges of good practice at cross-border level;
  8. encourages the control of invasive plants by innovative methods that respect the environment, such as eco-grazing techniques;
  9. hopes that the problem of invasive alien species will be included in school biology courses in order to encourage responsibility from an early age;
  10. stresses the principle of proportionality in order to safeguard animal welfare as far as possible, to take account of the cost-effectiveness of the measures put in place and of environmental protection, in particular by avoiding excessive use of pesticides to combat invasive plants;
  11. calls on the competent authorities to guarantee sustainable sources of funding to run cross-border networks. In this context, European funds are a very interesting financial lever, as shown by the INTERREG V project “InvaProtect, Protection durable des végétaux contre les bioagresseurs invasifs dans les orchgers et les vignes” ; a second project being set up, which aims to provide scientific and technical support to administrations and institutions for the assessment and management of the health risk associated with invasive mosquitoes;
  12. hopes that the implementation of INTERREG projects on invasive alien species will be encouraged in the Greater Region;
  13. welcomes other ongoing projects funded by the EU which make it possible to increase citizens’ awareness and involvement in concrete terms, such as the COST action’Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science’, in which France and Luxembourg are participating, particularly as citizen participation and empowerment are the best way of controlling the negative effects of these invasive alien species;
  14. calls for closer cooperation between the Greater Region Summit and the Interregional Parliamentary Council to combat invasive plant and animal species as effectively as possible.

The Interregional Parliamentary Council addresses this resolution:

  • to the Government of the French Republic
  • to the Grand East Region
  • to the Saarland Government
  • to the Government of the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate
  • to the Governments of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Wallonia and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
  • to the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • at the Secretariat of the Summit of the Greater Region

 Last updated on Mon, Aug 13, 2018.

Mosquitos: conselhos para a população

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Você sabia?

Mosquitos que picam ou que nos atormentam, movem-se pouco. Muitas vezes nascem em nosso ambiente imediato. A melhor maneira de se livrar deles e evitar picadas é limitar os locais de nidificação ao redor das casas.

Dicas/Conselhos para eliminar os criadouros de mosquitos em sua casa

Fonte: Huron County Health Unit.

  1. Fontes e bebedouros: troque a água e limpe os recipientes pelo menos uma vez por semana;
  2. Barrancos e cortes: Limpe regularmente as folhas e outros resíduos para facilitar o fluxo de água;
  3. Poças: unindo desigualdades para evitar a formação de poças persistentes
  4. Calhas: Limpe regularmente as folhas e outros resíduos para facilitar o fluxo de água;
  5. Lagoas de jardim: colete regularmente folhas mortas dentro e perto da lagoa; permitir o desenvolvimento de vegetação e predadores (libélulas, anfíbios, peixes …);
  6. Lonas: não se esqueça de espalhar lonas que cobrem estacas de madeira, piscinas, etc. evitar a formação de poças persistentes;
  7. Brinquedos e recipientes: Mantenha brinquedos, panelas e qualquer outra coisa que possa acumular água da chuva longe da chuva ;
  8. Carrinhos de mão, lixo e pneus velhos: colocar esses utensílios para proteger da chuva;
  9. Recuperação da água da chuva para rega: tampa para vedar as folhas e mosquitos, drenar e enxaguar o mais rápido possível ou limpar as paredes, na superfície da água com uma esponja (para remover os ovos dos mosquitos).

 Last updated on Thu, Aug 9, 2018.

Moustiquen: Rotschléi fir d’Bevëlkerung

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Wosst dir schonns?

D’Moustique déi eis picken oder péngegen bewege sech net wäit. Si sinn dacks direkt an eisem Ëmfeld opgewuess. Déi bescht Method fir se lass ze ginn an net méi gepickt ze ginn ass et, fir ronderëm eis Häiser d’Plazen ze reduzéieren, wou d’Moustiquen hir Eeër kënne leeën.

Rotschléi fir d’Eliminatioun vu Moustique-Bréieschte ronderëm d’Haus

Quell: Huron County Health Unit.

  1. Sprangburen a Bewässerungsanlagen: Waasser wiesselen a Behälter mindestens eemol pro Woch botzen;
  2. Ofleef a Kullangen: Regelméisseg Blieder an aner Oflagerunge botzen, fir de Waasseroflaf ze erliichteren;
  3. Pill & Verdéiwungen: Besäitege vun den Ongläichheete fir d’Formatioun vu persistente Pill ze vermeiden;
  4. Kullangen: Regelméisseg Blieder an aner Oflagerunge botzen, fir de Waasseroflaf ze erliichteren;
  5. Weieren: Sammelt regelméisseg ofgestuerwe Blieder aus dem Weier a ronderëm; erméiglecht d’Entwécklung vu Vegetatioun an Déieren (Libellen, Amphibien, Fësch, asw.);
  6. Baatschen: Stellt sécher datt d’Baatschen, déi Holzpéil, Basengen asw. ofdecken, gutt gespaant si fir d’Entstehung vu persistente Pill ze vermeiden;
  7. Spillsaachen a Behälter: Stellt sécher datt Spillsaachen, Dëppen an aner Géigestänn, déi d’Reewaasser usammele kënnen, virum Reen geschützt sinn;
  8. Schubkaren, Poubellen a benotzte Pneuen: Stellt sécher datt dës Utensilien virum Reen geschützt gelagert ginn;
  9. Reewaassersammler fir ze netzen: Behälter ofdecken géint ofgestuerwe Blieder a Mécken, esou oft wéi méiglech eidel maachen a botzen, an all Woch d’Wänn iwwert der Waasseruewerfläch mat engem Schwamm ofbotzen (fir d’Méckeneeër ze besäitegen).

 Last updated on Thu, Aug 9, 2018.

Science by foot: Invasive alien species in the Grund district of Luxembourg-city

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

On Tuesday 7th August 2018 from 18:30 to 20:00, in the frame of it’s Science Tuesdays series, the National Museum of Natural History organized a scientific walk through the Grund district. Dr Christian Ries, curator of the Department of Ecology, gave explanations about a dozen invasive alien species to the 20 attending people. In it’s edition of 9th August 2018, the Luxembourg Newspaper Journal published a small article about the event.

Anonymous, 2018. Ohne Widerstand – Naturmusée-Führung zum Thema invasive Arten. Rubrik Uechter d’Land. Journal 09/08/2018, p. 19.

 Last updated on Thu, Aug 9, 2018.

Moustiques: conseils pour la population

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Le saviez-vous ?

Les moustiques qui nous piquent ou nous harcèlent se déplacent peu. Ils sont souvent nés dans notre environnement immédiat. Le meilleur moyen de s’en défaire et d’éviter les piqûres est de limiter les sites de ponte aux alentours de nos habitations.

Conseils pour éliminer les gîtes larvaires de moustiques autour de son habitation

D’après : Huron County Health Unit.

  1. Fontaines & abreuvoirs: changer l’eau et nettoyer les récipients au moins une fois par semaine ;
  2. Rigoles & caniveaux : nettoyer régulièrement les feuilles et autres débris pour faciliter l’écoulement de l’eau ;
  3. Flaques & dépressions : combler les inégalités pour éviter la formation de flaques persistantes ;
  4. Gouttières : nettoyer régulièrement les feuilles et autres débris pour faciliter l’écoulement de l’eau ;
  5. Mares de jardin : ramasser régulièrement les feuilles mortes dans et à proximité de la mare ; y permettre le développement de végétation et de prédateurs (libellules, batraciens, poissons…) ;
  6. Bâches : veiller à bien tendre les bâches recouvrant les tas de bois, les piscines, etc. pour éviter la formation de flaques persistantes ;
  7. Jouets & récipients : veiller à ranger à l’abri de la pluie les jouets, les pots et tout autre objet susceptible d’accumuler de l’eau de pluie ;
  8. Brouettes, poubelles et pneus usagés : de même, veiller à ranger ces ustensiles à l’abri de la pluie ;
  9. Récupérateur d’eau de pluie pour arrosage : couvrir pour rendre étanche aux feuilles mortes et aux moustiques, vidanger et rincer le plus souvent possible ou nettoyer les parois au niveau de la surface de l’eau avec une éponge (pour enlever les œufs de moustiques).

 Last updated on Wed, Aug 8, 2018.

Aedes albopictus: Public petition for a public health policy submitted to Luxembourg Parliament

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

A public petition (n°1071) for a public health policy that effectively combats the implantation of tiger mosquitoes, vectors of diseases, in Luxembourg, has been introduced on 10th July 2018 and is open for signature until 19th September 2018 (Sarno Bomfim 2018).

Text of the petition (translated from French)

This petition aims to start a debate that will lead to a number of effective actions to combat the implantation of tiger mosquitoes in Luxembourg. This invasive species has no natural predators and can not only unbalance the ecosystem like bring tropical diseases to Luxembourg. Among the possible actions that should be discussed as a result of this petition, we can list:

  • a study of the regions of Luxembourg with the greatest potential for tiger mosquito invasion;
  • campaigns to raise public awareness of measures to combat the tiger mosquito (garden maintenance, elimination of stagnant water deposits);
  • education campaigns in schools and colleges on the invasiveness of tiger mosquitoes and preventive measures;
  • special maintenance and vigilance measures on rest areas where motor homes from southern Europe stop and which potentially contain tiger mosquitoes;
  • monitoring of the presence of tiger mosquitoes in cities, countryside and forests via traps (instrumentation used for example in Italian regions).

Motivation of the general interest of the petition: The tiger mosquito is a vector of diseases such as dengue, Nile fever and chikungunya. If the invasion of mosquitoes is not controlled, the importation of these diseases will become an additional burden for health services, in days off work and school absence, not to mention a great disturbance for the population and a devaluation of the country’s rural areas.

References

Sarno Bomfim, JA, 2018. Pétition publique n°1071 – Pour une politique de santé publique qui combatte effectivement l’implantation des moustiques tigres, vecteurs de maladies, au Luxembourg. URL: https://chd.lu/wps/portal/public/Accueil/TravailALaChambre/Petitions/RoleDesPetitions?action=doPetitionDetail&id=1274 [08/08/2018].

 Last updated on Wed, Aug 8, 2018.

Moskitos: Ratschläge für die Bevölkerung

Posted onAuthorChristian Ries

Wussten Sie das?

Mücken, die uns beißen oder belästigen, bewegen sich wenig. Sie werden oft in unserer unmittelbaren Umgebung geboren. Der beste Weg, sie loszuwerden und Bisse zu vermeiden, ist, die Eierablagestellen um unsere Häuser herum zu begrenzen.

Tipps zur Beseitigung von Mückenbrut in der Umgebung Ihres Hauses

Quelle: Huron County Health Unit.

  1. Springbrunnen & Tränken: Wechseln Sie das Wasser und reinigen Sie die Container mindestens einmal pro Woche;
  2. Abfluss und Rinnen: Entfernen Sie regelmäßig Blätter und andere Rückstände, um den Wasserfluss zu erleichtern;
  3. Pfützen und Senken: Gleichen Sie Unebenheiten aus um die Bildung von hartnäckigen Pfützen zu vermeiden;
  4. Dachrinnen: Entfernen Sie regelmäßig Blätter und andere Rückstände, um den Wasserfluss zu erleichtern;
  5. Gartenteiche: Sammeln Sie regelmäßig tote Blätter in dem Teich und in der Nähe des Teiches, um die Entwicklung von Vegetation und Raubtieren zu ermöglichen (Libellen, Amphibien, Fische, usw.);
  6. Planen: Achten Sie darauf, dass die Planen für Holzstapel, Schwimmbäder usw. gespannt sind um die Bildung von hartnäckigen Pfützen zu vermeiden;
  7. Spielzeug und Behälter: Bewahren Sie Spielzeug, Töpfe und andere Behälter regenwassergeschützt auf;
  8. Schubkarren, Mülltonnen und Altreifen: Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie diese Geräte vor Regen schützen;
  9. Regenwassertank zum Besprengen: Decken Sie Behälter ab zum Schutz vor Blättern und Mücken, spülen Sie die Behälter so oft wie möglich durch oder reinigen Sie die Wände an der Wasseroberfläche mit einem Schwamm (um Mückeneier zu entfernen).

 Last updated on Thu, Aug 9, 2018.