BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana officials are asking outdoorsmen to help stem the spread of an insect they believe is killing off Roseau cane, an important marsh grass, in the southeastern corner of the state.
State wildlife and agriculture leaders suspect an invasive, fleshy white insect from Asia, dubbed Roseau cane scale, may be leading to the death of the grass.
They’re asking waterfowl hunters and fishermen not to transport Roseau cane or tie their boats to it and to take extra precautions to clean boats after they fish or hunt. The Advocate reports the aim is to limit spread of the Roseau cane scale, discovered in Louisiana in 2016.
Damage to Roseau cane is worrisome because the grass is an anchor in Louisiana’s eroding coastal marshes and helps protect an important waterfowl area.
