Invasive Insects and Species

Every phase of forest development involves forest health, including the proper establishment of appropriate, healthy trees on productive sites; cultural practices that favor vigorous growth of the best trees; reduction of losses to pest organisms; and well planned, careful harvesting that protects standing trees from injury and maintains the integrity of riparian areas. Learn more about the Forest Health Program.

Insects

Emerald Ash Borer

  • Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine. This quarantine aims to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer (EAB) from infested areas into noninfested areas of Virginia. I want to learn more about this quarantine > > >
  • Emerald Ash Borer - Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan.

Gypsy Moth

Defoliation due to the gypsy moth in the United States regularly approaches two million acres annually. This Virginia Tech website provides comprehensive information on the gypsy moth.

Gypsy Moth Defoliation in Virginia

Insect Identifcation and Information Sources

Walnut Thousand Canker Disease

Though not currently in Virginia, this article on Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) was submitted for inclusion on our site by the author. Thousand Cankers Disease: A Red Alert for Walnut

Invasive Plant and Animal Species

Invasive species are non-native to Virginia that spread quickly and are expensive and difficult to get rid of. Complete information, including lists and fact sheets, is available from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's website.

Don't Move Firewood

Insects can cause damage to healthy trees by feeding on their leaves or boring into their trunks. The threat insects pose continues with their larvae, which can be transported to new locations through firewood. In this way, areas that may not have been infected by insects can have a new infestation. Several information campaigns let the public know about the dangers of moving firewood.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) restricts moving any firewood from a quarantined area, including those states or counties within states under quarantine, from entering Virginia without a proper permit. View the map of quarantined areas. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is enforcing the quarantine as best they can by telling campers entering their parks with firewood to burn it all within 24 hours and not to bring any on their next visit. They are confiscating and replacing any firewood coming from northern Virginia's quarantined counties. If a citizen refuses to replace their firewood with local sources provided by DCR, DCR is imposing a fine commensurate with a Class I misdimeanor. Fines for out of state firewood from quarantined areas violate federal laws and punishments can be more severe.

Even if an area is not under quarantine, it is a good general practice to not move firewood long distances. The quarantine regulations for an area usually lag well behind the arrival of a new invasive speces.

Last modified: Wednesday, 30-Jan-2013 12:56:23 EST

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