Terrestrial Invasive Insects

Terrestrial invasive insects include exotic, non-native, or new to the area insects that are land-dwelling, meaning they live in non-aquatic habitats, including agricultural fields, prairies, rangelands, forests, urban landscapes, wildlands, and along waterways. 

Terrestrial invasive insects are invertebrates (animals without a backbone). They pose a significant threat to Nebraska’s land-focused resources, supplies, or infrastructure. 

With no natural enemies to keep their population in check and their ability to outcompete Nebraska’s native species for food and other resources, terrestrial invasive insects can become widespread across a landscape quickly. 

The Nebraska Invasive Species Council created four categories* for terrestrial invasive insects that are found in Nebraska:

Watchlist Terrestrial Invasive Species*

Watchlist terrestrial invasive species are potential invasive species that are uncommon but may be present in Nebraska, and their impacts are unknown at this time. There are currently no known watchlist terrestrial invasive insect species in Nebraska. 

Potential Terrestrial Invasive Species*

Potential Terrestrial Invasive Species are invasive species that have not yet been sampled in Nebraska and are considered a high threat. Those species include:

Priority Terrestrial Invasive Species*

Priority Terrestrial Invasive Species are invasive species that are considered highly unwanted species, and all efforts should be made to prevent the expansion of their populations. Those species include: 

Established Terrestrial Invasive Species*

Established Terrestrial Invasive Species are invasive species that are well established in Nebraska, and total elimination is impossible. Local removal and control is the best that can be expected. Those species include:

*Disclaimer: 

As opposed to aquatic invasive species and noxious weeds, there is no official list of Nebraska’s invasive terrestrial (land-dwelling) insect species created by a regulatory agency in the state. This list is unofficial; it is not for regulatory purposes. 

Instead, this list is intended to serve two purposes: 

1.  To be used as a resource for the public who encounter one of these insect species and want more information 

2.  To encourage the public to report sightings of some of these insect species, which can be shared with regulatory agencies and other organizations to help prevent the insect's spread and/or establishment in Nebraska and/or to help determine possible management strategies 

Species on this list may be included for a variety of reasons. Those reasons may include:  

• The insect species shows common characteristics identified as invasive in published scientific literature 

• The insect species is designated as invasive by a regulatory agency and/or government authority in Nebraska and/or a nearby state 

• The insect species’ population is expanding or has expanded rapidly, causing environmental, agricultural, and/or human health damage, and/or acting problematically as determined through credible reports from land managers, landowners, researchers, scientists, and/or the public in Nebraska