Last Modified: April 15, 2026

Learn how to recognize invasive pests and diseases. Knowing what they look like—and the signs they leave behind—can help you spot problems early and limit their spread.

Select a pest below to learn how to identify it and what to watch for.

Explore Top Invasive Pest Threats

Asian Longhorned Beetle

Damages hardwood trees by tunneling deep into trunks and branches

Balanced on an index finger the Asian longhorned beetle's face is dwarfed by its long black and white banded antenna. The distinct bluish color on the ALB's legs and feet—a sign of a newly emerged adult.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

Damages palm trees by burrowing into crowns and feeding on sap

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
European Grapevine Moth

Attacks grapes, reducing crop yields and spreading plant disease

European Grapevine Moth
European Cherry Fruit Fly

Lays eggs in cherries, making fruit unmarketable

European Cherry Fruit Fly
Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Infests a wide range of fruits, causing major crop losses

Mediterranean Fruit Fly
Oriental Fruit Fly

Targets fruits and vegetables, damaging crops and limiting trade

Fruit fly with white spots on a dark-brown thorax and a tan abdomen with dark-brown to black markings.
Mexican Fruit Fly

Infests citrus and other fruits, leading to costly quarantines

Several pale orange-yellow mexflies with transparent wings on the surface of an orange.
Giant African Snail

Feeds on hundreds of plant species and carries plant diseases

Giant African Snail
Imported Fire Ants

Damage crops and land while posing risks to people and animals

Imported fire ants vary widely in size.
Spotted Lanternfly

Feeds on sap, weakening trees and damaging crops like grapes

Spotted Lanternfly
Spongy Moth

Defoliates trees, leaving forests vulnerable to long-term damage

Adult Male Flighted Spongy Moth
Yellow-Legged Hornet

Preys on bees, threatening pollinators and agriculture
 

Yellow‑legged hornet on a natural surface
Emerald Ash Borer Beetle

Kills ash trees by feeding beneath the bark

Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
Old World Bollworm

Damages crops like corn, cotton, and tomatoes

Old World Bollworm
Sudden Oak Death

A disease that kills oak trees and harms forest ecosystems

Sudden Oak Death

What invasive pests threaten plants in your area?

Select your State to see which invasive pests may be present or restricted where you live. Some pests are under Federal quarantine, and additional State-level quarantines may apply. Learn more about State-level quarantines.

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