Fact Sheets - Invasive Species

For more invasive species information, reference the First Detector Guide to Invasive Insects, Invasive Fruit Pest Guide for Utah, Invasive Insect Field Guide for Utah, and Invasive Pests of Landscape Trees in Utah

Asian Giant Hornet (a.k.a. Northern Giant Hornet)

[Update 8/2022: Northern giant hornet is the new common name for this pest.] Asian giant hornet is an invasive wasp that was detected in northwest Washington and British Columbia, Canada in fall 2019 and spring 2020; however, it is not known to be establi...

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Asian longhorned beetle is an invasive wood-boring pest that threatens maple and other hardwood tree species, fall-foliage tourism, and maple syrup production in North America.

BMSB Management for Fruits and Vegetables

A fact sheet detailing the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys Stål), a recent invasive insect to North America from eastern Asia. In the last decade, it has become a severe urban nuisance and agricultural pest in the mid-Atlantic and nort...

Balsam Woolly Adelgid

Invasive balsam woolly adelgid is a tiny sucking insect that was introduced to North America from Europe. In the U.S., it is a serious pest of true firs in forests, landscapes, and in seed and Christmas tree production.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

BMSB was first detected in Utah in 2012; it is now established in four counties (Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah) and has been detected in two other counties (Cache and Box Elder). As an aggressive generalist herbivore, BMSB infests a broad range of pla...

Elm Seed Bug

First detected in 2014 in Utah, elm seed bug is now widely distributed along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, and has been reported west to Duchesne County, east to Tooele County, and south to Grand County. Elm seed bug activity peaks in mid-summer whe...

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive woodboring beetle that has caused the decline and mortality of tens of millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in the U.S. It is considered the most destructive forest pest to ever invade Nort...

European Cherry Fruit Fly

European Cherry Fruit Fly (ECFF) is a new invasive cherry-infesting pest that is not known to occur in Utah. Host plants include cherry and honeysuckle. Heavy infestations in Europe have resulted in 100% fruit loss. Since adults fly only short distances, ...

Imported Fire Ants

The red and black imported fire ants (IFA) are an invasive and aggressive pest not known to occur in Utah, but parts of southern Utah may be suitable for colony establishment. IFA can be easily distinguished from other ants in Utah by both the varying siz...

Invasive Insects Lookalikes

Learn how to identify some invasive insects and their look-alikes. Here, we provide a quick identification guide for brown marmorated stink bug, Japanese beetle, emerald ash borer, and Asian longhorned beetle.

Invasive Species

A listing of invasive insects that are currently in Utah or are potential invaders to the state, as well as related information regarding these insects.

Japanese Beetle

This fact sheet describes the invasive Japanese beetle (JB) and lists vegetative hosts that can be affected by JB, including ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, turfgrass and vegetables. This pest can cause significant damage in high numbers. It was first d...

Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)

Lily leaf beetle (LLB) is an exotic pest from Eurasia that causes damage to plants in the Liliaceae family. Native and cultivated Lilium and Fritillaria are sensitive to attack, including rare and endangered species. LLB can cause economic and aesthetic l...

Plum Curculio

Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a small brown weevil (beetle with a snout) native to eastern North America where it is a major pest of pome and stone fruits. It thrives in environments where orchards are located nex

Quagga Mussel and Zebra Mussel

The quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) and zebra mussel (D. polymorpha) are invasive mussels that threaten Western U.S. waterbodies. Zebra mussels were discovered in early 2021 in imported moss balls (algal balls) sold in aquarium and pet stores nationwid...

Red Firebug

Red firebugs were first discovered in North America in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2008. These insects are seed feeders on a wide range of plants, including linden and mallow.

Small Hive Beetle

Small hive beetle (SHB) is a pest of honey and bumble bee colonies that is native to Africa. SHB feeds on pollen and honey, kills bee brood and workers, and causes honey to discolor and ferment.

Spongy Moth

Spongy moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) are invasive leaf-eating (defoliating) pests that threaten trees and shrubs in urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. The spongy moth was accidentally introduced to the U.S. in 1869 by an amateur French entomologis

Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a new invasive pest from China that was first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to other states. SLF attacks more than 100 host plants, including grapes, fruit trees, hops, and hardwood and o...

Spotted Wing Drosophila

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive insect native to Southeast Asia; it was first detected in Utah in 2010. SWD management tactics include removing nearby alternative host plants, timely harvest of fruit, expanding the preventive insecticide prog...

Spotted Wing Drosophila Monitoring

Spotted wing drosophila can attack fruit as soon as it begins to ripen, so that is when monitoring should begin. For example, place a trap in a cherry tree when the fruits begin to turn pink. Continue trapping for at least two weeks after harvest. Because...

The Samurai Wasp: New Hope in Fight Against BMSB

In June 2019, the samurai wasp [Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead)] was discovered in Salt Lake City. This exotic parasitoid wasp is the most promising agent for biological control of BMSB and is uniquely evolved to lay its eggs inside of BMSB eggs. Help us p...

Velvet Longhorned Beetle

Velvet longhorned beetle is an invasive wood-boring beetle first detected in Utah in 2010. VLB can negatively impact fruit yield, tree longevity, and wood marketability. Prevention, monitoring, and early detection are the key management recommendations fo...