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Reporting

You can help with efforts to control invasive species by reporting occurrences of invasive species. NISIC does not handle reporting of suspected invasive species, but we provide information and resources for how and where to report suspected invasive species.

See related information:


Spotlights

  • Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health Mobile Applications

    • University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

    • Center staff design and publish comprehensive mobile applications that engage users with invasive species, forest health, natural resource and agricultural management. Previous apps were designed for specific areas of the U.S. Two new apps were recently developed for reporting throughout the U.S.:

      • EDDMapS app  - the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System app will allow invasive species reports to be submitted from a smartphone while outdoors. Anyone can report an invasive species sighting, submit photos, provide sighting details, and document a negative survey. In addition to its reporting function, the app contains information on the top invasive species including common names, scientific names, general descriptions, habitats, and reference photos to aid with identification.
      • EDDMapS Pro app - designed for professionals; includes the ability to download offline map data if users are going to be in areas where internet coverage may not be available.
  • iNaturalist

    • California Academy of Sciences; National Geographic Society.

    • iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you. Get connected with a community of over 750,000 scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! By recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. Experience and record nature with species identification technology by downloading the iNaturalist app (Android and iPhone) --  See Getting started:

      • Find Wildlife - it can be any plant, animal, fungi, slime mold or evidence of life found in the wild
      • Take Pictures - be sure to notice the location
      • Share Observations - upload your findings to iNaturalist
         

      Seek by iNaturalist is an educational tool and provides a kid-friendly alternative. Seek allows you to identify plants and animals from your photos by harnessing image recognition technology, drawing from existing data collected from observations on iNaturalist (no registration is required, and no user data is collected).

  • Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) Program

    • USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.

    • The mission of PPQ's Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) Program is to detect and prevent the unlawful entry and distribution of prohibited and/or non-compliant products that may harbor exotic plant and animal pests, disease or invasive species.

      If you think something was illegally imported —even if unintentionally—report it at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@usda.gov. All submissions are kept anonymous. Your information will not be shared publicly.

  • What Is the Best Way to Report the Occurrence of an Invasive Species?

    • eXtension.

    • You can help with efforts to control invasive species by reporting occurrences of invasive species. The information provided can help you know what information to report and which method of reporting to choose.

  • Wild Spotter - Mapping Invasives in America's Wild Places

    • University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health; Wildlife Forever; USDA. Forest Service.

    • Wild Spotter is a nationwide effort to complete a comprehensive map and survey of prioritized invasive through on-the-ground activities accomplished by citizen science volunteers. Wild Spotter is a tool that allows the general public to report invasive species in their favorite places. Unlike, EDDMapS it is focused locally and focused on the non-traditional invasive species audiences. Widespread adoption and use of Wild Spotter is key to protecting our public lands.  Wild Spotter is part of EDDMapS, data is part of the EDDMapS database, and it uses the existing EDDMapS review and verification system. 

      You can help fight back against invasive species in America's wild places by downloading the free Wild Spotter Mobile App on your smartphone or other mobile devices. You'll learn how to identify, map, and prevent the spread of these invaders in order to protect our rivers, mountains, forests, and all wild places for future generations. Learn more by watching the Wild Spotter Introduction Video. To become a volunteer, register either online or download the Wild Spotter Mobile App. Once registered, reach out to your nearest National Forest or Grassland to discover how you can volunteer to help support and protect these beautiful places from invasive species. Then, just get outside and enjoy America's wild places while keeping an eye out for those harmful invaders!

Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this subject, organized by source.

Council or Task Force
  • How to Report Locations of Invasive Species

    • Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council.

    • One of the keys to a rapid response to invasive species is the early identification of new occurrences. Please help report occurrences of invasive species in Minnesota. To report suspicious pest species arriving on plants or articles from foreign countries or other states, please contact the MDA's Report a Pest. To report invasive aquatic plants or wild animals, please contact the DNR Invasive Species Program at: 651-259-5100 (metro) or 1-888-646-6367.

  • Report a Sighting

    • Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Washington Invasive Species Council.

    • We need your help! If you think you have found an invasive species in Washington, please let us know by reporting it by using the reporting forms or mobile applications (Washington Invasives). Includes reporting forms for: invasive plants, invasive animals, invasive insects, and wildlife infectious diseases.

  • Take Action - Report an Invader

    • Oregon Invasive Species Council.

    • Think you've found an invader? Oregon needs your help. Early detection is critical to keep Oregon protected from new invasives. If we can detect new outbreaks early and act quickly to control them, we save Oregon's natural resources and prevent costly eradication efforts. By the time an invader is easily noticeable and begins to cause damage, it is often too late.

Partnership
  • New App Lets You Report Invasive Species

    • Oct 18, 2012
    • Ohio State University. College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

    • Ohio State University Extension has released a new app for spotting and tracking invasive species -- non-native organisms such as Asian carps, purple loosestrife and Asian longhorned beetle -- to try to keep them from setting up beachheads and hurting the economy and environment. By using the free Great Lakes Early Detection Network app, a person can take pictures of suspected invasive species -- whether of farm, forest or water -- and upload the pictures and locations for verification. Based on this early warning, scientists can send out alerts, map the spread and figure out a battle plan.

  • Alaska Report Invasive Species

    • Alaska Invasive Species Partnership.

    • Reporting options are available depending on type of species found. Reports submitted to the Alaska Invasive Species Hotline and the online reporting tools are sent to agencies and organizations with interest and responsibility for managing invasive species.

  • Hawaii Early Detection Network - Report Invasive Pests Online

    • University of Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. Hawaii Biodiversity Information Network.

    • The Hawaii Early Detection Network was created to increase public awareness of invasive species and engage communities in the monitoring of their own neighborhoods. Find out how you help protect the environment of Hawaii by participating in the Eyes and Ears Team and attending an educational workshop or downloading your own field guide. If you are reporting a snake call 911 or for an animal call 643-PEST immediately!

  • Montana Invasive Species - Report an Invasive Species

    • Upper Columbia Conservation Commission; Montana Invasive Species Council.

    • Reporting suspect and/or invasive species is very important! In Montana, where you report invasive species depends on what kind of plant or animal they are, so that the correct agency can respond to your report.

  • Northern Giant Hornet

    • Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project.

    • As of July 2022, the Northern giant hornet has not been found in Massachusetts.

  • Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline

    • Portland State University (Oregon).

  • Report Pest Sightings

    • Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project.

    • Report sightings of insect pests, pathogens, and invasive plants in Massachusetts

  • Southeast Early Detection Network App

    • University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

    • The Southeast Early Detection Network (SEEDN) app brings the power of Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) to your smartphone. Now you can submit invasive species observations directly with your smartphone from the field. These reports are uploaded to EDDMapS and e-mailed directly to local and state verifiers for review. SEEDN is more than just a smartphone app; it is an integrated invasive species reporting and outreach campaign for the Southeastern United States that includes the app and the EDDMapS website.

Federal Government
  • APHIS Pests and Diseases

    • USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    • APHIS created the webpage to make it easier for its customers to find critical information on pests and diseases of concern. With this tool, members of the public will have the information they need to report pests and diseases and together we can protect America’s agriculture and natural resources. This page lists all pest and disease programs managed by APHISas part of its mission to protect American agriculture and natural resources. Users can search by type (plant, animal), keyword (avian, fruit fly, cotton), or by the specific pest or disease (coconut rhinoceros beetle, brucellosis). You can also scroll through the page, which lists the pests and diseases alphabetically and includes a corresponding image.

  • State Plant Health Directors

    • USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.

    • State Plant Health Directors (SPHD) direct federal APHIS-PPQ pest detection and regulatory activities in cooperation with state officials. SPHDs coordinate the initial PPQ emergency response if an exotic pest is detected in the state.

      To report a pest or disease, contact your local APHIS office or call USDA Customer Service toll free at 1-844-820-2234 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern).

State and Local Government
  • State Agricultural Officials Ask Public to be on Alert for Hatching of Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Eggs

    • May 23, 2022
    • Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

    • Have you recently planted maple, crabapple, or other trees? MDAR is asking everyone to check them for spotted lanternfly egg masses or recently hatched nymphs after we were alerted that trees or shrubs with SLF egg masses may have been recently shipped to Massachusetts. Please give all nursery stock a thorough check (including pots or other containers), especially if the plants have tags that indicate they are from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or other SLF-infested states, and report any finds.

  • State Agricultural Officials Ask Residents to Report Sightings of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly: Hampden County Find Indicates Species Is Continuing to be Found in New Areas

    • Aug 9, 2022
    • Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

    • The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) today announced that an infestation of the invasive insect known as spotted lanternfly (SLF) was found in the City of Springfield last week. "With new populations of the spotted lanternfly likely to pop up more and more frequently as the invasive pest becomes established across the northeast, it is critical that we all remain diligent in identifying them early onAnyone who sees this pest is asked to report it promptly. Early detection will help limit the spread of spotted lanternfly and give orchards, farms, and other growers time to prepare."

      Anyone who has recently received goods or materials from states where SLF is known to have been introduced (including Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; see SLF-infested states) should also be on the lookout. Additionally, if a spotted lanternfly is found, the public is asked to take a photo or collect the specimen, and report the sighting using MDAR’s SLF online reporting form.

  • How to Report an Invasive Species

    • Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

    • Your vigilance could help us intercept and prevent the spread of an unwanted biological invader – an invasive species that shouldn’t be here and which could cause serious harm to Alaska’s native fish and wildlife species, and their habitats.

  • Japanese Beetle

    • Washington State Department of Agriculture.

    • Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) detected two Japanese beetles near Grandview and one near Sunnyside in 2021. Additionally, a resident reported numerous Japanese beetles devouring her roses in Grandview that summer.

      Japanese beetles would pose a serious threat to farms, gardens, and the environment if they were to become established in Washington State. Please report any suspected sightings of Japanese beetle at PestProgram@agr.wa.gov or 1-800-443-6684. See WSDA's Interactive Japanese Beetle Response Map.

  • Statewide Eyes

    • Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

    • Do you hike, ride, bird, camp, fish, or otherwise recreate in state parks, forests or wildlands? Lend YOUR eyes to help Maryland's biodiversity! The Maryland Natural Heritage Program designed Statewide Eyes to allow volunteers and researchers alike to collect more information about invasive plants on state lands quickly. Volunteers (like you!) use a free mobile application called the Mid-Atlantic Early Detection Network (MAEDN) to identify, photograph and map the location of invasive plants, focusing on ecologically significant sites.

Academic
  • Report a Sighting

    • University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Nebraska Invasive Species Program.

    • Please complete this form to report a sighting of an invasive species. If you're not sure how to answer a question, do your best and we will contact you with any questions. If you have any questions for us, please feel free to contact us.

Professional
  • Watch for Garlic Mustard Aphids

    • May 2022
    • Indiana Native Plant Society.

    • A European aphid that is only known to eat invasive garlic mustard has recently been found in the Midwest. If you see garlic mustard with curled leaves or aphids, help researchers studying this insect by sending in a report. Because the aphids may help control invasive garlic mustard plants, they are working with citizen scientists to map their distribution.