California must step up to fight the costly golden mussel infestation

Sacramento Bee ^ | May 23, 2026 | Michelle Paul

[artichokegrower]

California is facing another costly invasion of a foreign species that is affecting farmers, urban and suburban residents, the state’s ecosystem resources and the environment. Unwanted arrivals like this have happened before, but this time, the effects are likely going to be much worse.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society
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[artichokegrower]

More biological terrorism from China and just like COVID no comment from Governor Newsom

[lightman]

Are they good eating when steamed and dipped in melted butter?

[lightman]

West Asian bioterrorism includes:

1) Japanese beetles

2) “Mile a minute” aka “tearthumb” vine

30 Emerald Ash Borer

Fortunately Japanese beetles love to chow down on tearthumb vine. As do white-tailed deer.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

California is facing another costly invasion of a foreign species

We've been saying that for decades.

[decal]

And poached in white wine and garlic? - OH, YEAH, hunting season is ON!

[Governor Dinwiddie]

So many trees native to the United States have been killed by foreign invaders, to name three:
ash trees, chestnut trees, elm trees. There are quite a few others that slip my mind.

[Albion Wilde]

I prefer them with garlic and olive oil over pasta.

[Pilsner]

Where is Molly Malone when you need her?

[rxh4n1]

But wait, there’s more. Burmese pythons, kudzu, Asian Longhorn Beetles, Zebra Mussels, snakeheads, lionfish, Asian carp.

[Fai Mao]

Argentine Ants, aka Fire Ants.
Wild boars
Black and grey rats
German yellow jackets
German cock roaches
Starlings
Asian Carp
Eucalyptus trees
olive trees

[lightman]

I’m in!

[maddog55]

If scientists can ever find a cure for liberalism, 99% of California’s and America’s problems would go away including issues like this because they’d never be allowed to happen because folks would do their job.

[Alas Babylon!]

Golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) are a freshwater invasive species with very thin shells and a strong tendency to accumulate pollutants from the water they filter. They are not traditionally harvested as food, and their edibility is limited by safety concerns, not by toxicity inherent to the species.

[Dutch Boy]

Sounds a lot like the zebra mussels in the Great Lakes. You can’t eat them either.

[Lizavetta]

Don’t forget murder hornets.