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Published by: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension; University of Georgia Cooperative Extension; Clemson University Cooperative Extension; Virginia Cooperative Extension; South Carolina Soybean Board.

Inadvertently introduced in the northeastern United States in the 1930s, mile-a-minute weed is a highly aggressive invasive plant that is replacing native species in many areas of the Nation. While a biocontrol agent has been identified, finding and reaching dense patches of mile-a-minute weeds has been a problem for land managers. The solution may be drones carrying environmentally friendly pods packed with tiny weevils.

The African clawed frog was first discovered in California in 1968. It was imported for laboratory research and the pet trade. This species can negatively impact native amphibian and fish populations.

African swine fever was first identified in Kenya in 1921 and spread among domestic and wild pigs. This disease is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs; one of the most economically devastating diseases of swine. African swine fever has never been found in the U.S. Illegal entry of swine products and byproducts presents the largest potential pathway for the entry of African swine fever virus.

The Argentine black and white tegu is native to South American and the first established population in the U.S. was documented in Florida in 2006. It's means of introduction was via the pet trade and the Argentine black and white tegu is a generalist omnivore that preys on many native species.

Asian jumping worms are native to east-central Asia and have been present in the U.S. since the late 1800s, but have been recently invading natural habitats in the Northeast and Midwest. These worms were introduced possibly through the horticultural trade or by anglers using them as bait. Asian jumping worms affect forest habitats by altering soil properties, resulting in reduced food resources for native species.

The Asian longhorned tick is native to eastern Asia. It was first detected in New Jersey in 2017. The full public health and agricultural impact of this tick and spread is unknown. It is a potential vector of several human and animal diseases present in the U.S.

Beach leaf disease was first observed in Ohio in 2012. It's means of introduction is unknown, although it may have arrived in North America through the transport of wood with an invertebrate vector. It causes a disease of beech trees that disfigures leaves and can lead to tree mortality. 

Box tree moth was confirmed in the U.S. in 2021 after it was imported on nursery plants shipped from Canada. This moth feeds primarily on boxwood plants (Buxus spp.), where heavy infestations can defoliate plants and lead to plant death.