North Carolina Invasive Species Advisory Committe

North Carolina Invasive Species Advisory Committee

Lymantria dispar

Common Name: Gypsy moth

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and its partners remain very active in monitoring North Carolina for the gypsy moth. Since 1982, the entire state has been trapped to clearly understand where the moth might have been introduced. More than 100 treatment or intervention programs have been initiated to either eradicate or suppress introduced populations of this pest. At present, only Currituck County and a portion of Dare County remain quarantined in North Carolina for this pest.

Courtsey of:
Michigan State University Extension

Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

Common Name: Exotic Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer was originally detected in Michigan in 2002. Since this detection, it has been found in 10 states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, along with isolated infestations in Maryland, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Once introduced, this non-native insect pest poses a direct threat to both the rural and urban forests of North Carolina. A major way the emerald ash borer is moved from place to place is through the movement of firewood. Please join others in North Carolina and in the U.S. in stopping the spread of this insect by pledging not to move firewood. Your pledge can be made at the following web site: http://www.stopthebeetle.info/

For detailed information regarding the emerald ash borer, please visit their web site

Welcome to NCInvasiveSpecies.org!

Note from Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture

On behalf of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), I am pleased to welcome you to the N.C. Invasive Species web site. This site is being developed by the N.C. Invasive Species Advisory Committee (NCISAC), a group established to provide advisory information to the NCDA&CS related to invasive plant pest species in our state. Nonnative invasive plant pest species are capable of causing great harm to both agriculture and the natural resources of our state. Active intervention, whether in the form of prevention, early detection, prompt response, supportive research, and education, is necessary in order to eliminate the overall threats from invasive species. Preventing the introduction and establishment of invasive species is generally the least costly method of response and management. As such, I have established the NCISAC as a means to provide us with advisory and technical information related to invasive species and to improve communication among state agencies on invasive species. This information is needed in order to make informed decisions related to eradication and management of invasive species. For purposes of the NCISAC, the primary focus will be on those insects, diseases, and weeds that are injurious to agriculture or our environment.

Through the efforts of the NCISAC, we hope to make progress in the following major areas:

Providing statewide coordination and leadership regarding invasive species
Ensuring state agency activities related to invasive species are coordinated, complementary, cost-effective, and effectively implemented
Encouraging state agency planning and action
Developing coordinated network to document, evaluate, and monitor the impacts of invasive species
Encouraging the sharing of information related to invasive species

For more information about how you might be involved in coordinated efforts related to invasive species, I encourage you to visit this web page frequently for new information. Jointly, we can make a difference in North Carolina!

Commissioner of Agriculture