Other Invasive Pests & Plants

Besides the Gypsy Moth and the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), there are many insects and plants that can invade our yards and woodlands. The expansion of the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program Millage language allows Program staff to monitor for and provide educational programs about Gypsy Moth, EAB, and other invasive pests. There are both native and non-natives pests that can build up to population levels that can be harmful to area horticulture.

Non-Native Invasive Pests: 
Non-native invasive pests are those insects and plants that do not originate in our area and can build up to intolerable levels that affect the health of our trees and cause problems for people living in areas with high populations of the pest. Most of these pests have been accidentally introduced by expanded world trade and the movement of people.

•  Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
   It is not currently known to be established in Michigan, but populations of this beetle are established in New York and Chicago.

• Beech Bark Desease (Nectria fungi)
  Beech bark disease is one of the latest exotic pest problems to plague Michigan forests. Beech bark disease refers to a complex that consists of a sap-feeding scale insect and at least two species of Nectria fungi.

• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
  This is a small, aphidlike insect that threatens the health and sustain-ability of the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) in the Eastern United States. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been found in the Traverse City are of Michigan. 

• Sirex Woodwasp (Sirex noctillo F)
  This is a medium sized wasp that attacks non-native species of pine trees. It does not attack people. It is especially harmful to trees in overgrown pine plantations.

Native Invasive Pests: 

•  Cankerworms (Paleacrita vernata)
  There are two types of cankerworms common to Michigan, fall and spring cankerworms.

• Cottony Maple Scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis)
  This Native Invasive insect is a pest of maple trees, especially silver maples and locust trees. This pest is very common in th tri-city area of Michigan.

• Tent Caterpillar, Eastern (Malacosoma americanum (Fabricius))
  Eastern Ten Caterpillar is responsible for forming unsightly silk-webbed nests at branch forks. Their population peaks every 8 to 10 years, when large infestations can completely defoliate trees in late spring/early summer. Eastern tent caterpillar's primary host plants are wild cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), apple (Malus) and crabapple (Malus). Occasionally, they feed on deciduous forest and ornamental trees such as ash (Fraxinus), birch (Betula), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), willow (Salix), witchhazel (Hamamelis), maple (Acer), oak (Quercus), poplar (Populus), cherry (Prunus), peach (Prunus), and plum (Prunus).

• Webworm, Fall (Hyphantria cunea)
  Fall Webworm feeds late in the season on nearly 100 different species of trees in North America. These caterpillars construct massive silk webs and prefer persimmon, sourwood, pecan, fruit trees and willows. The webs are unsightly in the landscape and generally more numerous when the weather has been warm and wet for extended periods. The insect thrives on sun and moisture. The fall webworm is usually of only minor economic importance as a forest pest.

 Invasive Plants:

• European & Glossy Buckthorns (Rhamnus cathartica L.) /Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae)
  Small shrub or trees that invade wood lots. Is becoming common in Bay County. It crowds out native plants and inhibits natural regrowth of native trees in wooded areas. 

• Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
  This is an exotic invasive plant from Europe that invades woodland habitats in North America and impacts forest biodiversity. This plant invades fields and open wood lots crowding out and shading native plants.

•  Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  The Giant Hogweed is a dangerous, noxious weed which has been found at many locations throughout Michigan.

• Phragmites, European (Phragmites australis) - also known as Common Reed
  European strain of the common reed that invades wetland, roadside ditches and lake margins. It can crowds out native plants such as cat tails and our native stains of Phragmites.  Check out the Phragmites Location in Michigan Map.  

• Purple Loosestrife - General (Lythrum salicaria)
  Since it was introduced, purple loosestrife has spread westward and can be found across much of Canada and the United States. Purple loosestrife grows an impressive four to seven tall. It grows prolifically in wetlands and other moist areas. Each mature plant produces 30 or more spikes and can produce over 2.5 million seeds per year.

• Purple Loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria) in Michigan:
  This plant has been found in all counties of the southern Lower Peninsula, in various locations of the northern Lower Peninsula, and in scattered locations across the Upper Peninsula. It is particularly abundant in certain areas around Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, and Saginaw Bay.