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They Have Invaded Our Space Trivia Quiz

One of the biggest problems facing the environment today is the encroachment of non-native species into an ecosystem. This quiz takes a look at North America.

A multiple-choice quiz by fenian1213. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
fenian1213

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
337,263

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
490

Question 1 of 10

1. The common starling is a native species to the Americas.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these fruit trees was introduced into North America? Hint

Plum

Pawpaw

Red mulberry

Apple

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Which of these introduced species has gotten so out of control that it's sometimes called "the plant that ate the American South"? Hint

Poison oak

Greenbriar

Kudzu

Sunny tufts

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This dangerous pest hitched a ride to the Americas on ships' anchors and in their bilge water.
What is it? Hint

Razor clam

Zebra mussel

Whelk

Blue eyed octopus

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Invasive species are something we can easily see and take steps against.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. All of these trees put on a lovely spring display. Each stands out in any forest. One is a fast growing native of China. Which one is it? Hint

Paulownia

Franklinia

Catalpa

Dogwood

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. One of these insect pests is home-grown. Can you identify the American native? Hint

Tent caterpillar

Gypsy moth

Emerald ash borer

Common pine shoot beetle

8. This fish was intentionally released into North American waterways (most notably in Florida) by people thinking they could profit from catching and selling them. What is this Asian predator that is rapidly eating its way through the native species? Hint

Alligator gar

Blue catfish

Yellow perch

Northern snakehead

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Sometimes a native species gets away from its own home biological niche. Which of these American natives has invaded new areas in the last 100 years or so? Hint

The snapping turtle

The bullfrog

The bulldog

The eastern black racer

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This aquatic plant is another rapidly spreading menace. It is found along streams, lakes, rivers, ponds and even roadside ditches all across the Americas. It crowds out the plants that are native. What's its name? Hint

Persimmon

Yellow azalea

Sassafras

Purple loosestrife

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The common starling is a native species to the Americas.

Answer: False

This bird may be the world champion invasive species. A native of Europe, it has established itself on every continent except Antarctica.

2. Which of these fruit trees was introduced into North America?

Answer: Apple

American as apple pie the apple is not. The red mulberry is native. The white mulberry is the one famous as silkworm food . It has been planted here and since spread. The tasty fruit of the pawpaw tree is disappearing in the wild, but can be found in private gardens.

3. Which of these introduced species has gotten so out of control that it's sometimes called "the plant that ate the American South"?

Answer: Kudzu

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Kudzu was intentionally planted in the American Southeast. It has since spread out of control to the point that it has reached as far north as Ontario, Canada and as far west as Oregon. Poison oak and greenbriar are very common and native. Sunny tufts I made up.

4. This dangerous pest hitched a ride to the Americas on ships' anchors and in their bilge water. What is it?

Answer: Zebra mussel

The zebra mussel is native to Russia. They were first discovered here in 1988 in the Great Lakes and have since spread rapidly through interconnected waterways. They pose a serious threat to native species as well as boats, power plants and water treatment plants.

5. Invasive species are something we can easily see and take steps against.

Answer: False

The are several dozen microbes and viruses listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being invasive and dangerous. For example, Dutch elm disease nearly killed off an entire species. Man is not safe either. West Nile virus and the avian flu cause fatalities every year.

6. All of these trees put on a lovely spring display. Each stands out in any forest. One is a fast growing native of China. Which one is it?

Answer: Paulownia

The paulownia or princess tree is a very rapidly growing plant. Viewed as a weed tree, it has stunning purple flowers that are amongst the first to appear each spring. Unfortunately its rapid growth makes it a threat to native species trying to establish themselves.

7. One of these insect pests is home-grown. Can you identify the American native?

Answer: Tent caterpillar

Although the tent caterpillar can eat the leaves right off the trees, they rarely cause any permanent harm. They also have native predators. The others are responsible for the wholesale destruction of vast spreads of forest.

Answer: Northern snakehead

The snakehead is popular in Asian cooking. It was purposely released to avoid having to import them. However it rapidly multiplies and takes over the habitat it is released into. It can even survive briefly on land. It is a major hazard.

9. Sometimes a native species gets away from its own home biological niche. Which of these American natives has invaded new areas in the last 100 years or so?

Answer: The bullfrog

A native of eastern and central North America, the bullfrog was accidentally released into western waters with the trout used to restock fishing holes. Unfortunately it competes with the local population.

Answer: Purple loosestrife

Purple loosestrife is another invader we brought on ourselves. It was used as an ornamental in the 1800's and got loose. It has been found in at least 43 U.S. States and 9 Canadian Provinces.

Source: Author fenian1213

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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