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invasive species


We are often the bearers of bad news when a new exotic insect species is discovered in Indiana. This time, however, we have some good news to share. Agrilus smaragdifrons, a beetle that feeds exclusively on Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), was detected in Indiana last year in Allen County. You might notice that this beetle belongs…Read more about Beetle that attacks Tree-of-Heaven found in Indiana[Read More]


It’s that time again!  With the arrival of warm temperatures and increased rainfall, many of us are getting to work on our lawns, gardens, and landscaping.  Unfortunately, this often comes with discovering what new (or old) invasive species are here to haunt us.  So far this year, the invasive I’ve gotten the most questions on…Read more about Asian Jumping Worms: How to ID this soil pest[Read More]


Recently, there has been an uptick in questions related to one of Indiana’s most notorious invasive pests: the emerald ash borer.  Homeowners, businesses, even professionals have asked if ash trees are still present in Indiana, and if the insect is still a threat to our ecosystem.  Emerald ash borer wreaked significant havoc among Indiana’s hardwoods,…Read more about Revisiting Ash Tree Protection[Read More]



A new invasive insect of concern has been identified in the state of Georgia.  In August of 2023, Georgia’s Department of Agriculture, along with the USDA, confirmed the presence of the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, outside of the city of Savannah.  To date, this is the only confirmed identification of this insect in the United…Read more about New Invasive Predator of Honeybees[Read More]






What happened Now is an important time to take a close look at your boxwoods. Plants infested with the invasive box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) may have been accidentally transported into Indiana. This moth is native to Asia and has long been the scourge of boxwoods (Buxus sp.) in Europe. It was first detected in…Read more about New Pest Alert: Watch your boxwoods for this moth[Read More]


As bud break is currently occurring on early species in southern and central Indiana, remember to be on the lookout for callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) on properties that you manage for removal.  Callery pear (multiple cultivars in the landscape from this species) has become a major invasive species of concern in wild and disturbed areas…Read more about Annual Reminder to Identify Callery Pear for Removal[Read More]




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