When it comes to Early Detection and Rapid Response, the following terms are commonly used:

Invasion - establishment of a new invasive species into the state, or the spread of an alreadypresent invasive species into a new geographic area

Invasive species - an alien species whose introduction does, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health

Potentially harmful species - species that currently pose no problem, but that may at some future time become invasive and deleterious

Rapid response - an attempt at eradication, with the understanding that if eradication is not possible, early response might still improve the effectiveness and reduce the cost of ongoing control

Control - efforts to eradicate, suppress, reduce or manage invasive species populations; measures to reduce the effects of invasive species, preventing the spread of invasive species from areas where they are present, and taking further steps to prevent further invasions.

Early detection is critical to eradication and control, because as an organism becomes more widespread, the size and cost of the treatment increase, and the chance for control diminishes. Once a new organism is found, this information also needs to be disseminated rapidly to those who have the capability to respond. This website was designed to help people report new species to their area that are considered invasive. The sites information is currently limited to aquatic invasive species of Virginia. Please start your identification by selecting either fish or plant below.

Launch Key