What makes a species Invasive?
Native
Native
Non-native
non-native
Invasive
invasive
INVASIVE SPECIES Threaten our ECOSYSTEMS, RESULTING IN:
- Habitat degradation and loss
- The loss of native fish, wildlife and tree species
- The loss of recreational opportunities and income
- Crop damage and diseases in humans and livestock
- Risks to public safety
Invasive Species Can be the difference between...
Invasive vines and insects can weaken trees and make them less resilient in storms. Invasive plants can cause erosion and displace natives that assist in shoreline stabilization. When we are hit with a large storm, a shoreline can protect us from intense storm surges and prevent flooding events.
Invasive plants like barberry and honeysuckle create the perfect environment for ticks to thrive. Plants like multiflora rose have sharp thorns that can scratch you and damage your gear.
Aquatic invasive plants can easily get tangled in boat engines and ruin a fun day on the water. They can make paddling through a pond a strenuous exercise, or make swimming in a pond a less desirable activity. These aquatic invasive plants, as well as invasive fish and invertebrates, can reduce habitat quality and outcompete our important fish species.
Invasive insects and pathogens can lead to the destruction of our important crops, impeding their growth by feeding on leaves or damaging fruits. Invasive plants can invade farm fields and compete with crops. Both impose large costs on farms to manage these invaders.
Dive deeper
The Tier List
A resource that ranks New York's invasive species, so that together we can manage them.
Invasive Species Prevention Zones (ISPZ)
A formal LIISMA designation for a natural area supporting exceptional biodiversity.
Can you pass our quiz?
Test your knowledge of invasive species!
Why it matters
Invasive species threaten nearly every aspect of our world, and are one of the greatest threats to New York’s biodiversity, agriculture, and outdoor recreation.
- All
- Aquatic
- Birds
- Reptiles
- fish
- invertebrates
- plants
- terrestrial
- tier 1
- tier 2
- tier 3
- tier 4
- tier 5
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Zebra, Quagga Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
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Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
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Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)
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Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)
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Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
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Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)
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Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)
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Water lettuce (Pistia stratoites)
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Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
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Water Chestnut (Trapa natans)
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Tea Viburnum (Viburnum setigerum)
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Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
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Swallow-worts (Vincetoxicum nigrum, V. rossicum)
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Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
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Starry Sky Beetle (ALB, Anoplophora glabripennis)
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Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
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Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum spp)
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Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
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Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
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Spike Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
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Southern Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis)
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Small Carpet Grass (Arthraxon hispidus)
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Slender Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia virgata)
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Sirex Woodwasp (Sirex noctilio)
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Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
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Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
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Sapphire Berry (Symplocos paniculata)
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Salt Cedar (Tamarix spp.)
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Rock Snot (Didymosphenia geminata)
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Rock Sea-Lavender (Limonium binervosum)
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Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
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Red Hailstone (Thladiantha dubia)
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Ravenna Grass (Tripidium ravennae)
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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
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Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
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Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa)
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Plume Poppy (Macleaya cordata)
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Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
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Pacific Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus)
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Orange candleflower (Arum italicum)
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Oak Wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum)
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Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
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Northern Snakehead (Chana argus)
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Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
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Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
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Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris)
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Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
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Mile-a-Minute Vine (Persicaria perfoliata)
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Mile-a-Minute (Persicaria perfoliata)
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Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
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Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)
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Kudzu (Pueraria montana)
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Knotweeds (Reynoutria spp.)
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Kashmir Balsam (Impatiens balfourii)
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Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.)
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Juliana’s Barberry (Berberis julianae)
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Invasive Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
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Incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa)
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Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
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Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
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Holly Osmanthus (Osmanthus heterophyllus)
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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
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Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
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Golden Clam (Corbicula fluminea)
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Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
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Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
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Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
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Floating Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides)
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Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
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Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
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Cinnamon Vine (Dioscorea polystachya)
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Christmas Berry (Photinia villosa)
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Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
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Black Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens)
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Bighead & Silver Carp (Hypopthalmichtys nobilis, H. molitrix)
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Beech Leaf Disease Nematode (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii)
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