The third and last type of invasive species may very well be the deadliest, though. Microbes are defined as microorganisms that cause disease or infection. Just by the definition itself, it is easy to see why invasive microbes would be such a large problem. Take Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma novo-ulmi) , for example- hailing from Japan, this virulent fungi destroyed over 90% of Europe’s elm trees in the 1960’s. It continues to wreak havoc in Europe and North America, as once infected, there is no known cure for the tree. Its spread is uncontrollable, as it is transmitted through insect vectors. Then there is oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum), which kills oak trees. Even an act as simple as moving firewood can relocate this fungus to another area. However, microbes are not only for plants- a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans causes white-nose bat syndrome, a deadly disease to bats which can kill off an entire colony of 500 bats during a single period of winter hibernation.
Essential Question
"Could a genetically engineered invasive species potentially be used in warfare?"