WISC - Washington Invasive Species Council

Featured Invasives

Asian Giant Hornet

Asian giant hornet is an invasive species from Asia and a known predator of honeybees. Though not typically aggressive to humans, they will attack anything that threatens their colonies, which usually nest in the ground. They can sting multiple times and have powerful venom that can inflict serious injury, or in some cases, death. In late summer through fall, hornets may attack honeybee colonies en masse, resulting in the complete destruction of a healthy colony in a matter of hours. The attack leaves piles of decapitated victims in front of the hive.

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Featured Invasives

Gypsy Moth

The gypsy moth is one of the worst American forest pest insects. It devours the leaves of more than 500 different species of trees and shrubs and causes enormous enormous damage to the environment and the economy. Most gypsy moths are brought to new areas by people, and Washington sees new introductions every year. Eradication efforts of the Washington State Department of Agriculture have presented gypsy moths from becoming established here. The department conducts annual surveys to locate new introductions.

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Featured Invasives

Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Zebra and quagga mussels are freshwater mollusks that colonize lakes and rivers. Their preferred habitats include the calm waters upstream of dams. They are most abundant on hard, particularly rocky surfaces. They're not in Washington, but they're only a day's drive away. They attach themselves to boats, so if someone uses a boat in an infected lake and then launches the boat in Washington waters, they could be introduced here. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has an early detection program, but everyone’s help is needed to spot them before they become a problem.

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Featured Invasives

Northern Pike

Northern pike are non-native predators of popular sportfish in Washington State. They are a prohibited species in Washington. They reproduce prolifically and primarily prey on fish smaller than themselves, including juveniles of other species. They have been introduced illegally and established populations in eastern Washington, in the Pend Oreille River, the Spokane River, Lake Roosevelt, and a couple of lakes in Spokane County. Recently, northern pike have also been found in Lake Washington after being illegally introduced.

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News

Invitation for Public Comment on 2020 Statewide Invasive Species Strategy

The Washington Invasive Species Council was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2006 and tasked with providing policy level direction, planning, and coordination for combating harmful invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of others that may be harmful. A cornerstone product of the council is a strategic plan designed to build upon […]

November 25, 2020Read More

70th Annual Statewide Weed and Invasive Species Conference Set for Nov. 3-6

The 70th Annual Washington State Weed Conference will be offered online and free to the public, announced the Washington Vegetation Management Association and the Washington Invasive Species Council. With this historic partnership between the association and council, the conference has been increased, with two of the four days focused on invasive species and successful approaches […]

October 6, 2020Read More

Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August

Olympia—Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year that wood-boring insects are most often spotted outside of trees. “State and federal agencies do a […]

July 27, 2020Read More

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Protecting Washington's Environment and Economy from Harmful Invasive Species

Next Council Meeting

School Curriculum

On-Demand Webinar Library

Washington’s Urban Forest Pest Readiness Plan

Featured Invasives

Asian Giant Hornet

Featured Invasives

Gypsy Moth

Featured Invasives

Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Featured Invasives

Northern Pike

News

Invitation for Public Comment on 2020 Statewide Invasive Species Strategy

70th Annual Statewide Weed and Invasive Species Conference Set for Nov. 3-6

Public Asked to Check Trees for Invasive Species in August

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