Pennsylvania | National Invasive Species Information Center

Spotlights

Spotted Lanternfly Alert (2021)

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species native to Asia. In 2014 it was found in Pennsylvania, and has since spread to multiple counties which are now quarantined. If you see a spotted lanternfly, it's imperative to immediately report it online or via phone by calling 1-888-4BADFLY. Especially if you are not inside the quarantine zone.

What else? Kill it! Squash it, smash it...just get rid of it. In the fall, these bugs will lay egg masses with 30-50 eggs each. These are called bad bugs for a reason, don't let them take over your county next. In March 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) added 8 additional counties to the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine, for a total of 34 Pennsylvania counties now in quarantine.

Anglers Urged To Report, Dispose Of Invasive Northern Snakeheads If Caught In Lower Susquehanna River (May 22, 2020)

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is urging anglers to report and dispose of any invasive Northern Snakehead fish that may be caught in the lower Susquehanna River. This advisory follows the documented movement of 21 Northern Snakeheads past the Conowingo Dam into the Conowingo Pool, a 14-mile-long section of the Susquehanna River located between the Conowingo Dam in Maryland and the Holtwood Dam in Pennsylvania. Anglers are reminded that possession, transport, and importation of a live snakehead is unlawful in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. Any of these invasive fish that are caught should be killed and disposed of properly or consumed. Anglers who suspect they have caught a snakehead are encouraged to NOT release it, and report it to the PFBC at (610) 847-2442 or by sending an email to tgrabowski@pa.gov. For more information on Northern Snakeheads in Pennsylvania, including an identification guide, visit the PFBC snakehead resource page.

New Website Offers Help Identifying and Managing Woody Invasive Plants (Aug 13, 2020)

Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

For landscapes plagued by autumn olive or entangled in oriental bittersweet, a new website offers help identifying and managing woody invasive plants like these. WoodyInvasives.org, developed by the Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative, contains a wealth of information about how to distinguish woody invasive species from similar beneficial plants, an interactive map showing how these species are regulated by Great Lakes jurisdictions, detailed management approaches and noninvasive woody plant ideas for gardeners and landscape designers. "We developed the WIGL Collaborative website to help people learn to identify the woody invasive plants around them and to feel empowered to start controlling them on their properties or in their favorite green places," said Clair Ryan, coordinator of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, the organization leading the effort.

Stop Aquatic Invaders With Pennsylvania Sea Grant’s New App – Download It Today! (Dec 13, 2019)

Pennsylvania Sea Grant College Program.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant threat to Pennsylvania’s economy, freshwater resources, and native aquatic species. Pennsylvania Sea Grant announces 'there’s an app for that' with the launch of "PA AIS," a new, easy-to-use smart phone application. The "PA AIS" app is now available in the Apple App Store, with an Android version anticipated. The "PA AIS" app can be used in airplane mode or in areas outside of coverage, making it ideal for use in the field. Users can identify AIS and submit a report to the state AIS coordinator, including the location, severity, and photos of the suspected infestation. Illustrations help users learn more about each species to ensure accurate identification in the field. Prevention tips help educate freshwater enthusiasts such as anglers and boaters about the steps they can take to properly clean gear and ensure that AIS are not transported from one water body to another.

Thousand Cankers Disease

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

On Aug. 9, 2011, the department in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Penn State Cooperative Extension confirmed the presence of Thousand Cankers Disease in black walnut trees in Bucks County. Since this pest complex cannot be eradicated in Pennsylvania, and since black walnut is of high value to the forest products industry and to forest and urban ecologies, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is joining with state and federal agencies and Penn State Cooperative Extension to slow the spread of TCD in the state through monitoring and quarantine. For more information or to report a possible case of Thousand Cankers Disease on walnut please contact your Pennsylvania local county cooperative extension office or contact the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189 or Badbug@pa.gov.

State Specific Threats

Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) - Invasive Species Status Report by State

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

Includes invasive species by category for insects, diseases, plants, and animals.
See also: Invasive Species Status Report by Congressional District

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database - Species Lists By State

DOI. USGS. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.

Provides fact sheets, maps and collection information for aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates occurring outside of their native range.

Pest Tracker - Exotic Pest Detection By State

USDA. APHIS. Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS). National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS).

Provides State pest detection contacts, recent state exotic pest news, links to state pest resources, and a list of state CAPS survey targets.

Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this subject, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Pennsylvania

Council or Task Force

Governor's Invasive Species Council of Pennsylvania (PISC)

Governor's Invasive Species Council of Pennsylvania.

Partnership

Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative

Midwest Invasive Plant Network; Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative provides information related to woody invasive species identification, distribution, impacts, regulatory status, and control and management. The collaborative has also developed recommendations on trees, shrubs and vines that gardeners and landowners can plant as alternatives to known woody invasives. The WIGL Collaborative was founded in early 2018 and is coordinated by the staff of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN).

Federal Government

Ecological Science: Invasive Species

USDA. NRCS. Pennsylvania.

State and Local Government

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Scroll to view list of aquatic species banned in Pennsylvania.

Bureau of Animal Health & Diagnostic Services

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services (BAHDS) is responsible for controlling and eradicating diseases in livestock and poultry. This mission is critical since these diseases have the potential to impact human health and cause significant economic loss to farmers and the commonwealth. In addition, BAHDS administers regulatory programs for animal health certification, containment of diseased animals and elimination of disease agents.

Bureau of Plant Industry

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Bureau of Plant Industry provides services to maintain and protect Pennsylvania agriculture through both consumer protection and product regulation.

Forest Insects and Diseases

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The Department is required by the Pesticide Control Act of 1973, as amended in 1987, to educate all pesticide applicators about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods as a part of license recertification requirements.

In addition, Pennsylvania is a signatory party to the Chesapeake Bay resolution which encourages the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to citizens as a method to reduce toxics in the Bay.

West Nile Virus Control Program

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Wild Plants - Invasive Plants

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Academic

Insects, Pests, and Diseases

Pennsylvania State University. Cooperative Extension.

Invasive Plants

University of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Flora Project of Morris Arboretum.

Invasive Species

Pennsylvania State University. Pennsylvania Sea Grant.

The PA Sea Grant participates in several projects related to education, outreach, research, control, and management of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.

Roadside Vegetative Management Project

Pennsylvania State University.

Professional

Garden With Natives: Invasive Species

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve (Pennsylvania).