After looking at the options for an invasive species in my state, I have chosen the zebra mussel. Another name for zebra mussels are the Dreissena polymorpha. Zebra mussels prefer freshwater and they usually live two to three years. Their size is usually about the size of a thumbnail but they can grow up to two inches. Most full grown adults are two inches. They are filter feeders. A female zebra mussel can produce between 30,000-50,000 eggs. Initially they were discovered in the United States in 1988. In August of 2002 they were discovered in Prince William, Virginia. It was a Millbrook Quarry where they were discovered. This quarry is used for recreational and instructional diving. It is believed that came to the United States in the water of European cargo ships. They can cling onto rocks or hard surfaces. Preferably the zebra mussels like algae rich, shallow water (usually 6-30 feet). Zebra mussels have been known to cause many problems. These creatures can cause massive problems in pipes, and engines by clogging the structures. When zebra mussels cling to boats, buoys, docks, boat hulls and virtually anything that touches the water they create a problem with dragging, navigation and boating. Also, they present a threat to fish, as well as other mussels. They do this by clinging to the creatures. Another reason zebra mussels are invasive is that they can usually filter over a gallon of water a day. If there are lots of zebra mussels then it wipes out food (plankton and algae) for fish or other filter feeders. Often they are found in pipes, and if they are small enough they can get themselves into engines or small areas that can cause major damage. The following photo is of a pipe cut in half filled and clogged with zebra mussels and a clam covered in zebra mussels. (Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha))
The photo below is a picture of a fishing line that was dropped in water for a period of time. As you can see, it is covered by zebra...