Invasive Species

USDA Annual Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species

Disturbance Science Topics

• Invasive Species
• Research to Support National Fire and Fuels Strategy 
• Climate Change and Events 
• Air, Water, Soils Pollution 
• Forest Fragmentation and Land Use Change 
• Market-induced change to forests 
• Monitoring and Assessment of Forest Health
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Viability

Research Highlights

Invasive Insects

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Hundreds of species of non-native (aka alien or exotic) invasive forest insects, diseases, plants, and other organisms are established in the United States. Some of these species have become invasive, spreading rapidly and causing significant economic and ecological impacts to the nation's forest and urban trees. Northern Research Station scientists work to understand the biology of invasive insects and diseases as well as possible controls, and develop tools that help everyone from land managers to homeowners make their trees healthier. In addition to studying and monitoring the nonnatives already here, scientists are monitoring pests that have potential to become problems if they arrive, whether from overseas or just other parts of the country. Invasive pests are often moved around the country in firewood and lumber, on vehicles, and on nursery stock.

Hundreds of species of non-native (aka alien or exotic) invasive forest insects, diseases, plants, and other organisms are established in the United States. Some of these species have become invasive, spreading rapidly and causing significant economic and ecological impacts to the nation's forest and urban trees. Northern Research Station scientists work to understand the biology of invasive insects and diseases as well as possible controls, and develop tools that help everyone from land managers to homeowners make their trees healthier. In addition to studying and monitoring the nonnatives already here, scientists are monitoring pests that have potential to become problems if they arrive, whether from overseas or just other parts of the country. Invasive pests are often moved around the country in firewood and lumber, on vehicles, and on nursery stock. 

• Insects
• Plants
• Diseases
• Biology & Tools
• Related Research

Invasive Insects

Alien Forest Pest Exploreris a web-based portal for the exploration of spatial data describing the ranges of invasive forest pests established in the United States. 

Websites

• Asian Gypsy Moth
• Asian Longhorned Beetle 
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Gypsy Moth
• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
• Nun Moth

Additional Research Studies

• Pest Risk of Wood Packaging Material
• Firewood as a Pathway for Transport of EAB and Other Pests
• Survival of Woodboring Insects in Heat-Treated Wood
• Economic Impacts of Non-native Forest Insects
• European Oak Borer
• Mediterranean Pine Engraver for Eastern Forests
• Development of the Euproctis chrysorrhoea Baculovirus as a Microbial Control for the Browntail Moth
• Biopesticides for Control of Douglas-fir Tussock Moth
• Tracing the Movement of an Invasive Insect Using Stable Isotopes 

Additional Emerging Threats

The following invasive insects are considered potential threats to North American forests based on their interceptions at ports or in manufactured goods. Rapid detection and response to newly arrived insects helps facilitate eradication. Here’s a list of potential pests of greatest concern with links to external information resources: 

• Smaller Japanese cedar longhorn beetle (Callidiellum rufipenne) attacking cedars and junipers
• Brown fir longhorned beetle (Callidiellum villosulum) 
• Sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctillo) attacking pines
• Asian ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) attacking red bay and sassafras 
• Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) attacking woody plants

For further details log on website :
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/invasive_species/