By PAUL HETZLER

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Horticulture & Natural Resources Educator

The National Invasive Species Council (NISC) deemed February 26 through March 3 as “National Invasive Species Awareness Week.”

While this may sound even less exciting than “Feline Hairball Prevention Month” or “National Cuticle Hygiene Week,” I can think of some good reasons to pay attention to the subject.

The first would be if the NISC handed out free beer and lottery tickets, which, sadly, they don’t seem to be doing. Another reason is that several confirmed and potential invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer and brown marmorated stink bug, pose a threat to the regional economy.

But a more timely factor is that a new insect pest from Asia managed to sneak past the Border Patrol and into the North Country last fall, and you may be able to help.

Unlike ordinary fruit flies that are a mere nuisance around spoiled fruit, the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is able to puncture the skins of unblemished, ripening fruit, rendering it unsalable. Primarily a late-season pest, it attacks fall-bearing raspberries, blueberries, and to a lesser extent grapes and apples. The SWD arrived so recently (October 2011) that experts are still not sure how cold-tolerant it is and how much damage it may cause. Berry growers who would be willing to monitor for the SWD from mid-summer into the fall are encouraged to call the Extension office (379-9192) for details.

Keep these handy slogans in mind for helping stem the tide of invasives: “Don’t move firewood more than 50 miles,” “Thoroughly clean your boat and gear between waterways,” and “Remember the Alamo.” Well maybe not so much the last one.

For more information on local invasive species and ways to slow or prevent their spread, please go to these websites: New York Invasive Species http://www.nyis.info/ ; NYSDEC http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/265.html ; National Invasive Species Council http://www.invasivespecies.gov/index.html .