Why are quagga mussels such a threat? And why is prevention so important?
A. These species live for several days out of water, they reproduce quickly, clog pipes, foul infrastructure and damage recreational equipment. They do not occur in Idaho, but once they are introduced, eradication will be impossible. The quagga will upset the food chain by consuming phytoplankton that other species need to survive. They are filter feeders that consume large portions of the microscopic plants and animals that form the base of the food web. Their consumption of significant amounts of phytoplankton from the water decreases zooplankton and can cause a shift in native species and a disruption of the ecological balance of entire bodies of water. In addition, they can displace native species, further upsetting the natural food web.
