This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The eastern meadow vole, aka fields mouse or meadow mouse, is a very wide spread rodent that can be found from throughout Canada to the U.S. Because these voles reproduce rapidly and cause millions of dollars in damage to agricultural crops, lawns, and orchards (by “girdling” or chewing the bark […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The pale-headed rosella is a moderate-size parrot that hails from northeastern and eastern Australia. They are conspecific with the eastern rosella. These parrots are considered an agricultural pest because they feed heavily on seeds, fruits, and grains. The installation of cattle watering troughs has allowed this species to thrive and […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The long-haired rat, aka plague rat, is well known for their population eruptions over mass areas of Australia. Intensive grazing by cattle and invasive species like European rabbits destroy the thick vegetation and soil structures that these rats rely on for food and camouflage. Overgrazing depletes the plant cover needed […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The plains pocket gopher is but 1 of 35 species of pocket gophers, named in reference to their externally located, fur-lined cheek pouches. These rodents face the threats of urban sprawl and lawn-centric landscaping which reduces the available natural grassland. Farming as well as continuous plowing destroys underground systems and […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The pale field rat, aka Tunney’s rat, is a species of rodent that hails from northern and eastern Australia, as well as some of the surrounding islands. These rats face the threat of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of ranching, in that cattle often times trample their shallow […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The European water vole, aka northern water vole or water rat, is an aquatic rodent found throughout Europe and northern Asia. These critters face the threat of predation by the introduced American Mink. They also face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The common brushtail possum is the 2nd largest of the Australasian possums. They are native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand because they are known for rapidly destroying native forests via heavy browsing, they prey on native bird eggs and chicks, and they also spread bovine tuberculosis to farm […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Asian citrus psyllid is a sap-sucking, hemipteran bug and 1 of 2 confirmed vectors of citrus greening disease. They hail originally from Asia. However, they have been introduced to North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and Africa. These pests are both an insect and a “true […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The tobacco beetle, aka cigarette beetle, cigar beetle, or paprika beetle, is similar in appearance to the drugstore beetle. They can be found worldwide, sans Antarctica. They have a preference for tropical habitats. That being said, they do not thrive in colder environments. With a global distribution and reputation of […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The emerald ash borer, aka EAB, feeds on various ash species and hails from north-eastern Asia. Removed from their native locale, they are considered an invasive species and are highly destructive to ash trees native to Europe and North America. Female beetles lay eggs in bark crevices. Once they hatch, […]

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