Maine Invasive Species Network

This fall, Emerald ash borer infestations were confirmed in the towns of Van Buren in Aroostook County, Gorham in Cumberland County, and Ogunquit, Parsonsfield, and Shapleigh in York County. Targeted surveys by MFS staff to locate potential future biological control release sites uncovered the first detected infestation in the York County town of Newfield.

Terrestrial invasive plants are expected to shift their ranges in response to changing climate. This tool provides lists of terrestrial invasive plants expected to expand their ranges into the chosen county or state with climate change by 2040-2060.

As part of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s fall agriculture in-service meeting, there is an earthworm research webinar that is open and free.   Note this is a research webinar, may not be geared toward homeowners/general public. Register at link below and see description pasted below from this website: https://aginservice.cce.cornell.edu/track/invasivespecies/ State of the Science:  Jumping Worm Research & […]

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) urges nursery professionals, landowners, and land managers to carefully search their properties for the invasive stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), also known as Japanese Stiltgrass. DACF staff recently confirmed the first known Maine location of this severely invasive plant at a nursery in […]

The Maine Department of Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced finding egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) on trees in Maine communities and is urging residents to report any sign of the invasive pest. The egg masses were found on trees from Pennsylvania, where SLF is established, that were planted in Boothbay, Freeport, […]

In a very unfortunate development, invasive milfoil has been discovered in Washington County, in Princeton’s Big Lake. This is the first known infestation east of Augusta. https://www.machiasnews.com/princeton-state-combats-first-invasive-milfoil-infestation-east-augusta  

The Gulf Coast tick successfully established a population over the winter in Fairfield County, CT. That’s a first record for this species sustaining its population in Connecticut and debut in all the Northeast.

– September 5th half or full day, whatever you can contribute – Meet at Camden Hills State Park in the Overflow Parking lot south of the Welcome Booth at 8:15 AM – Please bring your own lunch and water, trimming tools like garden shears, loppers or even hand saws, and work gloves – Wear hiking […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking feedback on its proposed list of pests and diseases of concern that are likely to pose a high risk to U.S. agricultural and natural resources. If suggesting additions or changes, please provide references/documentation on how the pest/disease meets the definition […]

The Knotweed Psyllid (Aphalara itadori), a sap-sucking insect native to Japan, was released on June 10 by Dr. Bernd Blossey and colleagues at Cornell University. A week after releasing the 2,000 A. itadori adults at two locations in New York’s Tioga and Broome counties, the researchers found the insects had successfully laid thousands of eggs. […]