Invasive Species & Resources

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is a non-native species (including seeds, eggs, spores, or other propagules) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. The term "invasive" is used for the most aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the areas in which they are present.

Common invasive plants in Greenwich

Mile-a-Minute vine

mileaminute3

Japanese honeysuckle

Japanesehoneysuckle

Kudzu

kudzu2

Garlic mustard

Garlicmustard

English ivy

englishivy

Japanese barberry

Japanesebarberry

Tree of heaven

treeofheaven

Porcelain berry

porcelainberry5-dms

Burning bush

Wingedeuonymus1

Purple loosestrife

Purpleloosestrife1

Common Reed (Phragmites)

common_reed-1

Oriental Bittersweet

orientalbittersweet1

Invasive insects in Connecticut

Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer-Adult

Asian Longhorned Beetle

adult_alb_WorchesterMA

Spongy Moth

male-spongymoth-1
 
 

Invasive invertebrates in Connecticut

Mitten Crabs

Mitten Crabs

Jumping Worm

Jumping worms_CAES

Asian Clam

Asian Clam_CT

Zebra Mussel

Zebra Mussel_CT

If you encounter any of these invasive species, please report them here

Things to know about invasive species: 

  • Invasive species, if left uncontrolled, can and will limit land use now and into the future.
  • The longer we ignore the problem the harder and more expensive the battle for control will become.
  • Invasive species can decrease your ability to enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, boating and other outdoor recreational activities.
  • The United States suffers from $120 billion per year in economic losses due to exotic, invasive species.
  • Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species.

University of Connecticut, UConn, has a working group and website dedicated to CT invasive plant species, called the CT Invasive Plant Working Group. Their website has a myriad of resources and information available, which includes:

Invasive Species Resources
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
IPANE
Invasive Plant List 
CT State Resources
US Department of Agriculture
The Scoop on Invasive PlantsCT Audubon 
Invasives in Connecticut CT DEEP
Aquatic InvasivesCT DEEP
Invasive Plant List
Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
Invasive ManagementUSDA
Invasive Plants in your BackyardCT River Coastal Conservation District
JBoat Cleaning TipsCT DEEP
CT Invasive aquatic plant, clam & mussel identification guideConnecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 
Why Do We Care if Non-native Plants Enter Our Water Bodies?CT DEEP
Releasing Bait and Aquarium PetsCT DEEP
Best Management Practices for Vessel DecontaminationCT DEEP