are non-native insects that cause or may cause harm to plants, people, other insects, or the environment.
Farmers First Workshop:
INVASIVE INSECTS
are non-native insects that cause or may cause harm to plants, people, other insects, or the environment.
This is an image of potentially invasive moths stuck in a paper delta sticky trap.
Invasive insects are spread when they are moved via firewood, shipping pallets, mail packages, vehicles, or other modes of transportation.
Invasive insects are spread when they are moved via firewood, shipping pallets, mail packages, vehicles, or other modes of transportation.
MOST WANTED
Spotted Lanternfly
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Emerald Ash Borer
Spongy Moth
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Most Wanted
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Emerald Ash Borer
Spongy Moth
Spotted Lanternfly
INVASIVE INSECT TRAPPING
is conducted by the invasive insect trapping team at Mississippi State University. They set traps at farms, vineyards, nurseries, wildlife management areas, and various other locations in
42
MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES
INVASIVE INSECT TRAPPING
is conducted by the invasive insect trapping team at Mississippi State University. They set traps at farms, vineyards, nurseries, wildlife management areas, and various other locations in
42
MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES
SOME OF THE TRAPS WE USE
SOME OF THE TRAPS WE USE
The Farmers First Initiative (FFI) connects first detectors in Mississippi to resources and tools designed to increase the chances of detecting, reporting, and managing invasive insects.
FFI focuses on providing resources for identifying
FIVE MAJOR INVASIVE INSECTS
Lycorma delicatula
Spotted Lanternfly
Native to China, Vietnam, and India Nymphs emerge in late April. Harmful to orchards and vineyards.
FFI focuses on providing resources for identifying
FIVE MAJOR INVASIVE INSECTS
Lycorma delicatula
Spotted Lanternfly
Native to China, Vietnam, and India Nymphs emerge in late April Harmful to orchards and vineyards
Diaphorina citri
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Small (3-4 mm) Affects citrus plants Feeds on plants’ leaves and stems
Diaphorina citri
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Small (3-4 mm) Affects citrus plants Feeds on plants' leaves and stems
Agrilus planipennis
Emerald Ash Borer
Entered the U.S. in the early 90s Feeds on ash trees Travels to new areas on wood
Agrilus planipennis
Emerald Ash Borer
Entered the U.S. in the early 90s Feeds on ash trees Travels to new areas on wood
Lymantria dispar
Spongy Moth*
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa Caterpillars cause majority of damage Attacks 500+ species of trees and shrubs
Lymantria dispar
Spongy Moth*
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa Caterpillars cause majority of damage Attack 500+ species of trees and shrubs
* In 2022, the Entomological Society of America changed the common name of the species group previously known as Gypsy moths to Spongy moths. The new name references Lymantria dispar’s spongy egg masses. Literature prior to 2022 may still refer to this species by their previous common name.
Anoplophora glabripennis
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Feeds on hardwood trees Native to China and Korea 1.5 inches long
Anoplophora glabripennis
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Feeds on hardwood trees Native to China and Korea 1.5 inches long
* In 2022, the Entomological Society of America changed the common name of the species group previously known as Gypsy moths to Spongy moths. The new name references Lymantria dispar’s spongy egg masses. Literature prior to 2022 may still refer to this species by their previous common name.
FFI hosts workshops to directly provide first detectors with:
Tips for basic identification
Tools for reporting invasive insects
Hands-on insect experience
If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact bkm105@msstate.edu.
FFI hosts workshops to directly provide first detectors with:
Tips for basic identification
Tools for reporting invasive insects
Hands-on insect experience
If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact bkm105@msstate.edu.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS 2021
All will take place from 10am-3pm, lunch will be provided.
Jan 6
Hattiesburg, MS
Jan 7
Starkville, MS
Jan 13
Stoneville, MS
Jan 14
Raymond, MS
If you are unable to attend a workshop, Farmers First provides invasive insect identification resources in this free PDF handbook:
We are looking for select species of insects from outside North America which could potentially devastate the agricultural sector in the southeastern U.S.
Have you found any of the insects you are looking for?
We have not found any targets in our agricultural surveys. However, we have found several potentially damaging exotic species in our forest surveys.
Can invasive insects harm my plants?
It depends heavily on the pest. There are things that can be done in general to control pests but knowing which one you’re dealing with gives you much more effective options. MSU Extension Services has produced a guide to common pests of vegetable crops in non-industrial settings. You can find it here extension.msstate.edu/node/6945. Feel free to contact our extension specialist, Dr. Blake Layton for any questions you have concerning insect pest control on plants. He can be contacted at blake.layton@msstate.edu.
What can I do to protect my plants from invasive insects?
The best thing to do is to support invasive species monitoring efforts, especially in regions near the coast and borders of other states. If possible, avoid bringing in plant materials from areas where these pests have already been found.
Are insect traps dangerous to people?
The traps we use are not dangerous to people unless the components were to be ingested. The only trap containing an insecticide is the plastic bucket trap. The insecticide releases at very low doses that are confined only to the inside of the trap.
How often do you check the traps?
For our agricultural surveys, all our traps are checked on a monthly basis. Some of our forest surveys make use of traps which capture insects in a liquid medium. These need changing at least every two weeks in order to avoid sample rotting.