WISC - Washington Invasive Species Council

Featured Invasives

Northern Giant Hornet

Northern 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

Spongy Moth

The spongy 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 spongy 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 spongy 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

Boot Brushes to Protect the Shrub-Steppe from Noxious Weeds

Benjamin Franklin once famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to protecting valuable habitat, Franklin’s words take on a whole new meaning. The Washington Invasive Species Council has received funding to help protect shrub-steppe habitat from noxious weed spread and development. With support from the U.S. Forest […]

January 11, 2024Read More

Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest

SPOKANE–The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invite school-age students to participate in an art contest to help spread the word about not spreading invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals, and other organisms that don’t naturally live in Washington and, when brought here, can cause economic and environmental harm. Invasive species […]

November 14, 2023Read More

State Asks People to Clean Gear and Pets to Minimize Invasive Spring Plants

OLYMPIA–Washington state agencies are asking people to clean their gear, pets and clothing this spring to prevent invasive plants from establishing here. “Washington offers exciting opportunities to experience nature, attracting visitors from around the world to our parks, forests, trails, wild and scenic rivers, wildlife refuges and more,” said Blain Reeves, chair of the Washington […]

June 5, 2023Read More

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Protecting Washington's Environment and Economy from Harmful Invasive Species

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Priority Invasive Species

Featured Invasives

Northern Giant Hornet

Featured Invasives

Spongy Moth

Featured Invasives

Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Featured Invasives

Northern Pike

News

Boot Brushes to Protect the Shrub-Steppe from Noxious Weeds

Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest

State Asks People to Clean Gear and Pets to Minimize Invasive Spring Plants

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