NOWRAMP Expedition Initial Results ALIEN PLANTS AND INSECTS OVERTAKING SEVERAL ISLANDS: On the majority of the islands visited, the land team was surprised by the number of alien insects and plants that were found. Alien insects were found on all islands, disturbing the insect and plant communities. And alien plants were found on all islands except Gardner Pinnacles. The biggest insect problems appeared to be big-headed ants on Kure and Midway, one species of grasshopper on Nihoa, and scale insects on Kure. The primary plant culprits appear to be verbesina (golden crownbeard) and cenchris (sandbur).