Species not Established in the U.S.

The following species of concern represent examples of why we must increase our efforts in early detection and rapid response and to prevention of new introductions. See Manager's Tool Kit - Early Detection and Rapid Response: Species not Established in the U.S. for general resources and other species information.

• Asian gypsy moth
• Brown fir long-horned beetle
• Citrus long horned beetle
• European spruce bark beetle
• Khapra beetle
• Nun moth
• Screwworm
• Siberian moth
• Tropical bont tick

This information is provided as an educational tool and is not inclusive of all invasive animal species not yet established in the U.S.

Scientific name: Lymantria dispar dispar (Linnaeus)

Common name: Asian gypsy moth

Native To: Asia

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Strain of the European gypsy moth, which is currently established in the U.S. The Asian gypsy moth feeds on a greater variety of host plants and the females can fly further distances that the European gypsy moth. Could enter the U.S. on ships and imports from Asia.

Resources:
Photo comparison of Adult female Asian gypsy moth and Adult female European gypsy moth
Invasive.org.

Asian Gypsy Moth (Apr 2003; PDF | 49 KB)
USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.

Asian Gypsy Moth Pest Alert (PDF | 337 KB)
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Division of Plant Industry.

Scientific name: Callidiellum villosulum (Fairmaire)

Common name: Brown fir long-horned beetle

Native To: China

Images: Google

Impact: Has been intercepted entering the U.S. in shipments of artificial Christmas trees. Attacks many species of native conifers. APHIS officials consider this beetle a significant quarantine pest of concern because it does not exist in the U.S. it attacks live trees, and although its economic impact is unknown, damage could be significant. According to inspectors, the beetle hitchhiked in the trunks of the trees, which are made of unprocessed wood.

Resources:
Callidiellum villosulum
North American Forest Commission. Exotic Forest Pest Information System.

Brown Fir Longhorned Beetle
Purdue University. Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program.

Scientific name: Anoplophora chinenis (Forster)

Common name: Citrus long horned beetle

Native To: Asia

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Has been discovered in plant products imported to the U.S., but has not become established in the U.S. Attacks over 100 species of trees, including many citrus trees.

Resources:
Citrus Longhorned Beetle – Featured Creatures
University of Florida. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Anoplophora chinenis
North American Forest Commission. Exotic Forest Pest Information System.

Scientific name: Ips typographus (Linnaeus)

Common name: European spruce bark beetle

Native To: Europe

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Attacks spruces and other conifers. Could invade the forests of the northern U.S. and Canada.

Resources:
Ips typographus
North American Forest Commission. Exotic Forest Pest Information System.

Possible New Introduction – European Spruce Bark Beetle
Bugwood Network. Bark and Wood Boring Beetles of the World.

Scientific name: Trogoderma granarium Everts

Common name: Khapra beetle

Native To: India

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Is now established in much of Asia and Africa. Became temporarily established in the U.S., but was eradicated in 1966. Infests stored grain.

Resources:
Featured Creatures: Khapra Beetle
University of Florida. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 

Trogoderma granarium (insect) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.

Scientific name: Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus)

Common name: Nun moth

Native To: Eurasia

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Could invade U.S. through shipping containers. Feeds on conifers. Its establishment in this country would be disastrous because it feeds on a variety of vegetation and can migrate and colonize a variety of sites.

Resources:
Nun Moth: Potential New Pest
USDA. Forest Service. Northeastern Area.

Nun moth - The Atlas of Forest Insect Pests (1996)
BugwoodWiki.
Produced by: The Polish Forest Research Institute.

Scientific name: Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel)

Common name: Screwworm

Images: Google

Impact: Eradicated from the U.S. in 1960s, but still present in Mexico and Central America. Parasite that kills livestock and wildlife, particularly cattle.

Resources:
International Screwworm Program
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Screwworm Eradication Program Records
USDA. National Agricultural Library.

Screwworm - Fast Facts (PDF | 95 KB)
Iowa State University. Center for Food Security and Public Health.

Scientific name: Dendrolimus superans Butler

Common name: Siberian moth

Native To: Russia

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Impact: Could damage conifer forests. Its potential for defoliation has to be considered at least comparable to that of the gypsy moth in deciduous forests, but its environmental impact would likely be much more severe. The biology of the Siberian moth is unusual and complex, and it has been difficult to control in its native habitat. There are no known introductions of the Siberian moth to North America.

Resources:
Fending Off Siberian Moths
USDA. Agricultural Research Service.

Siberian Moth: Potential New Pest (PDF | 322 KB)
USDA. Forest Service. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station.

Scientific name: Amblyomma variegatum    

Common name: Tropical bont tick

Native To: West Africa

Images: Google

Impact: Introduced to the Caribbean in 1800s. Could be introduced to Florida from the Caribbean by migratory birds. Spreads fatal livestock and wildlife diseases. It infests cattle, sheep and goats, reducing meat and milk production on the islands.

Resources:
Tropical Bont Tick
USDA. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Tropical Bont Tick Fact Sheet (PDF | 65 KB)
Iowa State University. Center for Food Security and Public Health.