New website offers help identifying and managing woody invasive plants.
For landscapes plagued by autumn olive or entangled in oriental bittersweet, a new website offers help identifying and managing woody invasive plants like these.
WoodyInvasives.org, developed by the Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative, contains a wealth of information about how to distinguish woody invasive species from similar beneficial plants, an interactive map showing how these species are regulated by Great Lakes jurisdictions, detailed management approaches and noninvasive woody plant ideas for gardeners and landscape designers.
“We developed the WIGL Collaborative website to help people learn to identify the woody invasive plants around them and to feel empowered to start controlling them on their properties or in their favorite green places,” said Clair Ryan, coordinator of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, the organization leading the effort.
Across the eight Great Lakes states and Ontario, 28 woody plant species are regulated as invasive by at least one jurisdiction. Invasive species are those that are not native and can cause harm to the environment, economy or human health.
Woody plants, including trees, shrubs and vines, have strong stems with a bark layer. These stems persist through winter and releaf in the spring. Multiflora rose, black locust, Tatarian honeysuckle and glossy buckthorn are just some of the woody invasive species found in Michigan.
Invasive plants often share characteristics that make them difficult to manage, including early germination in open areas or disturbed soils, fast growth rates, rapid spreading and the ability to sprout new plants from cut stems or roots.
Many plants now considered invasive were imported to the U.S. for landscaping, erosion control or property barriers, long before the threat of invasiveness was understood. Now these plants pose a serious threat to natural areas in the Great Lakes region, outcompeting native plants and damaging wildlife habitat.
Species profiles on WoodyInvasvies.org provide information on how each plant became established in the U.S., where they are likely to be found and what problems they cause to native habitats.
Profiles also include:
The Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative is one of several regional invasive species initiatives supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Michigan's Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
For landscapes plagued by autumn olive or entangled in oriental bittersweet, a new website offers help identifying and managing woody invasive plants like these.
WoodyInvasives.org, developed by the Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative, contains a wealth of information about how to distinguish woody invasive species from similar beneficial plants, an interactive map showing how these species are regulated by Great Lakes jurisdictions, detailed management approaches and noninvasive woody plant ideas for gardeners and landscape designers.
“We developed the WIGL Collaborative website to help people learn to identify the woody invasive plants around them and to feel empowered to start controlling them on their properties or in their favorite green places,” said Clair Ryan, coordinator of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, the organization leading the effort.
Across the eight Great Lakes states and Ontario, 28 woody plant species are regulated as invasive by at least one jurisdiction. Invasive species are those that are not native and can cause harm to the environment, economy or human health.
Woody plants, including trees, shrubs and vines, have strong stems with a bark layer. These stems persist through winter and releaf in the spring. Multiflora rose, black locust, Tatarian honeysuckle and glossy buckthorn are just some of the woody invasive species found in Michigan.
Invasive plants often share characteristics that make them difficult to manage, including early germination in open areas or disturbed soils, fast growth rates, rapid spreading and the ability to sprout new plants from cut stems or roots.
Many plants now considered invasive were imported to the U.S. for landscaping, erosion control or property barriers, long before the threat of invasiveness was understood. Now these plants pose a serious threat to natural areas in the Great Lakes region, outcompeting native plants and damaging wildlife habitat.
Species profiles on WoodyInvasvies.org provide information on how each plant became established in the U.S., where they are likely to be found and what problems they cause to native habitats.
Profiles also include:
- Identification information and photos.
- Native look-alikes.
- How and where species are regulated.
- Recommended landscape alternatives.
The Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative is one of several regional invasive species initiatives supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Michigan's Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
Lymantria dispar (previously Gypsy moth)
Lymantria caterpillars are eating leaves; here's what to do
Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health experts are getting reports of oak, aspen and maple trees losing leaves to Lymantria moths in the southwestern and northeastern parts of the Lower Peninsula.
This moth is an invasive species that caused widespread defoliation in the state from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. This year, defoliation is likely to become visible within the next few weeks in localized outbreak areas and persist through mid-July.
Keep defoliated trees healthy by making sure they get water; avoid damaging tree roots and bark. Trees should begin to develop new leaves in July to replace those that were eaten.
Check out this update from Michigan State University Extension about Lymantria moth caterpillars this season; additional resources are below.
For additional questions, contact Scott Lint at [email protected].
Invasives ►Lymantria dispar moths are one of many plants, insects and animals that are invasive species in Michigan. Learn more about them.
Forest health ►Each year the DNR assesses diseases and pests that threaten forests and urban trees. Read the 2019 report.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest health experts are getting reports of oak, aspen and maple trees losing leaves to Lymantria moths in the southwestern and northeastern parts of the Lower Peninsula.
This moth is an invasive species that caused widespread defoliation in the state from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. This year, defoliation is likely to become visible within the next few weeks in localized outbreak areas and persist through mid-July.
Keep defoliated trees healthy by making sure they get water; avoid damaging tree roots and bark. Trees should begin to develop new leaves in July to replace those that were eaten.
Check out this update from Michigan State University Extension about Lymantria moth caterpillars this season; additional resources are below.
For additional questions, contact Scott Lint at [email protected].
Invasives ►Lymantria dispar moths are one of many plants, insects and animals that are invasive species in Michigan. Learn more about them.
Forest health ►Each year the DNR assesses diseases and pests that threaten forests and urban trees. Read the 2019 report.
Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly could be the next invasive species to threaten Michigan’s agriculture, natural resources
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than 70 varieties of crops and plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. To date, spotted lanternfly has not been detected in Michigan.
First found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has been spreading rapidly across the nation. Infestations have been confirmed in Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia.
Spotted lanternfly causes direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew and the resulting black, sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The honeydew often attracts other pests, particularly hornets, wasps and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests.
“Spotted lanternfly could negatively impact our grape industry,” said Robert Miller, invasive species prevention and response specialist for MDARD. “But it also has the potential to damage stone fruits, apples and other crops in Michigan’s fruit belt as well as important timber species statewide.”
Spotted lanternfly egg masses resemble old chewing gum, with a gray, waxy, putty-like coating. Hatched eggs appear as brownish, seed-like deposits. Spotted lanternfly nymphs are wingless, beetle-like and black with white spots, developing red patches as they mature. Adults are roughly 1 inch long. Their folded wings are gray to brown with black spots. Open wings reveal a yellow and black abdomen and bright red hind wings with black spots transitioning to black and white bands at the edge.
“Prevention and early detection are vital to limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly,” said Miller. “Spotted lanternfly cannot fly long distances, but they lay eggs on nearly any surface, including cars, trailers, firewood and outdoor furniture. Before leaving an area where a quarantine is present, check vehicles, firewood and outdoor equipment for unwanted hitchhikers.”
If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult, take one or more photos, make note of the date, time and location of the sighting, and report to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, [email protected] or phone the MDARD Customer Service Center, 800-292-3939. If possible, collect a specimen in a container for verification.
For additional information on identifying or reporting spotted lanternfly, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.
Michigan's Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
/Note to editors: Photos are available for download below. Caption information follows.
SLF egg mass: Spotted lanternflies may lay egg masses on vehicles, outdoor furniture or other items that can be transported to new areas, leading to new infestations. Photo courtesy of Emilie Swackhammer, Penn State University, Bugwood.org.
SLF wings: Adult spotted lanterfly's bright wing coloration is hidden when wings are closed. Photo courtesy of Robert Gardner, Bugwood.org.
SLF adult: Adult spotted lanternflies are identifiable by their bright body and wing colors. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org.
SLF life cycle: Spotted lanternflies go through several phases, first resembling spotted beetles before morphing into their adult form. Photo courtesy of Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences./
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than 70 varieties of crops and plants including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood trees. To date, spotted lanternfly has not been detected in Michigan.
First found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has been spreading rapidly across the nation. Infestations have been confirmed in Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia.
Spotted lanternfly causes direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew and the resulting black, sooty mold can kill plants and foul surfaces. The honeydew often attracts other pests, particularly hornets, wasps and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests.
“Spotted lanternfly could negatively impact our grape industry,” said Robert Miller, invasive species prevention and response specialist for MDARD. “But it also has the potential to damage stone fruits, apples and other crops in Michigan’s fruit belt as well as important timber species statewide.”
Spotted lanternfly egg masses resemble old chewing gum, with a gray, waxy, putty-like coating. Hatched eggs appear as brownish, seed-like deposits. Spotted lanternfly nymphs are wingless, beetle-like and black with white spots, developing red patches as they mature. Adults are roughly 1 inch long. Their folded wings are gray to brown with black spots. Open wings reveal a yellow and black abdomen and bright red hind wings with black spots transitioning to black and white bands at the edge.
“Prevention and early detection are vital to limiting the spread of spotted lanternfly,” said Miller. “Spotted lanternfly cannot fly long distances, but they lay eggs on nearly any surface, including cars, trailers, firewood and outdoor furniture. Before leaving an area where a quarantine is present, check vehicles, firewood and outdoor equipment for unwanted hitchhikers.”
If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult, take one or more photos, make note of the date, time and location of the sighting, and report to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, [email protected] or phone the MDARD Customer Service Center, 800-292-3939. If possible, collect a specimen in a container for verification.
For additional information on identifying or reporting spotted lanternfly, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.
Michigan's Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
/Note to editors: Photos are available for download below. Caption information follows.
SLF egg mass: Spotted lanternflies may lay egg masses on vehicles, outdoor furniture or other items that can be transported to new areas, leading to new infestations. Photo courtesy of Emilie Swackhammer, Penn State University, Bugwood.org.
SLF wings: Adult spotted lanterfly's bright wing coloration is hidden when wings are closed. Photo courtesy of Robert Gardner, Bugwood.org.
SLF adult: Adult spotted lanternflies are identifiable by their bright body and wing colors. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org.
SLF life cycle: Spotted lanternflies go through several phases, first resembling spotted beetles before morphing into their adult form. Photo courtesy of Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences./
Invasive Species
Can be more than just a nuisance.
The State of Michigan defines an invasive species as one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health. Invasive species cause harm when they out-compete native species by reproducing and spreading rapidly in areas where they have no natural predators and change the balance of the ecosystems we rely on.
Huron Pines is a conservation organization that offers site visits and a cost share program for targeted invasive species throughout Northeast Michigan. Click here for more information on phragmites removal and controlling other invasives.
Click here for information on invasive animals, insects, pathogens, or other species.