Virginia | National Invasive Species Information Center

Spotlights

Warner & Kaine Announce more than $1.5 Million in Funding for UVA & VT to Support Agricultural Industry (Jan 16, 2020)

United States Senate. Mark R. Warner.

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $1,549,891 in federal funding for the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Tech to improve resources for the U.S. agricultural industry and rural communities. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics and Tools (FACT) Initiative, which focuses on data-driven solutions to address problems facing the agricultural industry. Funding includes $499,952 for the University of Virginia to better understand America's agricultural commodity flows and their role in the spread of invasive species, which is important for food security and economic stability. This project will help provide policy makers with guidance to better address vulnerabilities in food systems.

Longhorned Tick Detected in Virginia (Jun 10, 2019)

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

In May of 2018, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa confirmed the finding of the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick (otherwise known as the East Asian or Longhorned tick) in Virginia. It was previously unknown in the state, but since then has been detected in 24 counties, mostly in the western part of the state. "The tiny tick can appear on cows, horses and other livestock," said State Veterinarian Dr. Charles Broaddus. "In addition to being a nuisance, they also can be a health risk, especially to newborn or young animals." If you believe you have found the Longhorned tick, notify your local office of the Cooperative Extension Service.

Quarantine for Spotted Lanternfly Goes into Effect (May 28, 2019)

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) established a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine for Frederick County and the city of Winchester, effective immediately. The purpose of the quarantine is to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly to uninfested areas of the Commonwealth. Early detection is vital for the management of any newly introduced plant pest. For more information on Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia, see: Plant Industry Services (scroll to SLF section).

The spotted lanternfly was first detected in Winchester in January 2018. Subsequent surveys conducted by VDACS indicate that the pest has become established in the city of Winchester and spread into Frederick County, just north of Winchester. Prior to the January 2018 detection in Virginia, the only Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) found in the U.S. was in Pennsylvania. Populations are now established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and northern Virginia.

Firewood Quarantines

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Virginia State Parks.

Invasive insect pests and diseases are threatening the future forests of Virginia. The transport of firewood is one of the primary means by which these harmful insects and diseases spread. Quarantines have been issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to restrict the movement of firewood from counties where the pests have been found to counties without them.

Wavyleaf Basketgrass in Virginia

Piedmont Environmental Council.

Wavyleaf basketgrass is a new exotic grass rapidly moving into forests and meadows in Virginia and Maryland. The Piedmont Environmental Council is part of a Task Force committed to stopping this plant before it forms a thick carpet on our forest floors, crowding out native plants. If you think you spot wavyleaf basketgrass, please report your sighting.

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.

PLANTS Database - State Noxious Weed Lists

USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.

See also: Includes also Federal Noxious Weed List and Federal and State Noxious Weeds -- Composite (summary of noxious status for all the listed plants in the U.S.)

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 Virginia

State and Local Government

Forest Health

Virginia Department of Forestry.

Invasive Management Area Program

Fairfax County Park Authority (Virginia).

Invasive Plant Species of Virginia

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Natural Heritage Program.

Plant Industry Services

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Trees & Ecology - Invasive Plant Program

Arlington Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (Virginia).

Virginia Invasive Species