INVASIVE SPECIES

Washtenaw County is now the seventh Michigan county to confirm an infestation of invasive woolly adelgid, which are insects that feed on tree sap and can kill eastern hemlock trees.

The new Benzie County location is around 50 miles north of what was previously thought to be the northern edge of the infestation in Mason County.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking people with eastern hemlock trees on their property to take time this winter and check them for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid.

The invasive box tree moth (BTM) has been found at two residences in Clinton in Lenawee County, according to the USDA.

Invasive beech leaf disease was first confirmed in Michigan in St. Clair County in July. Since then, it has been detected in Oakland and Wayne counties.

Didymo, a nuisance alga known as “rock snot” has been identified in a stretch of the Boardman River in Blair Township in Grand Traverse County.

Michigan has eight insects on its invasive species list.

Meet the atlas moth. It’s one of the largest moths in the world and it was detected in the United States for the first time.

Michigan has confirmed the state’s first detection of the invasive spotted lanternfly after a small population was found in Oakland County.

Environmental officials want you to start checking your trees for adult Asian longhorned beetles because the invasive beetle starts to emerge this month.

Michigan officials want residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that threatens agriculture and natural resources.

There are two mammals on Michigan’s list of invasive species to watch out for.

Michigan officials want residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that threatens agriculture and natural resources.

Invasive beech leaf disease has been found in a small private woodlot in southern St. Clair County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Jumping worms look similar to earthworms but can easily be identified because of the way they thrash around.

Invasive beech leaf disease has been found in a small private woodlot in southern St. Clair County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Jumping worms look similar to earthworms but can easily be identified because of the way they thrash around.

Giant Hogweed has been found in several counties around Michigan over the last decade, but since funding for tracking these invasive plants ended, it’s up to residents to report.

There are two invasive trees and seven invasive shrubs that Michigan officials want residents to be aware of.

On Saturday, June 25, the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation will help local pollinators by clearing weeds and invasive plants at two parks.

There are two invasive trees and seven invasive shrubs that Michigan officials want residents to be aware of.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) wants gardeners to be on the lookout for invasive plants, pests and diseases when they head to their local greenhouse or nursery this summer.

Invasive insects can cause serious damage if not kept under control.

A spider that only recently arrived in the U.S., considered an invasive species, is expected to spread across the U.S. Eastern Seaboard in coming years -- but what about Michigan?

An invasive moth species, whose population has been exploding in Michigan over the last couple of years, has a new name because its original name included a derogatory term.

Michigan officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for an invasive species that hasn’t been detected in the state yet, but poses a threat to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources.

Invasive New Zealand mudsnails have been detected in a Michigan creek, the sixth known infestation in Michigan in recent years.

An invasive bug that could threaten Michigan’s Christmas tree industry has been discovered in the western part of the state.

One particular lake in Livingston County is experiencing an issue with mute swans.

Reservations for select times between July 1-18 will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday.

It’s no big surprise to see a caterpillar roaming around in Michigan in the summer -- but this particular one is not to be messed with, even though it looks cool.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a list of invasive species in the state that residents should be aware of and report if spotted.

The Michigan DNR says gypsy moth activity is expected across Lower Michigan this year after heavy defoliation last year by caterpillars.

LANSING, Mich. – Beech leaf disease has been added to Michigan’s invasive species watch list and state officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for trees infested with the damaging disease. Beech leaf disease is associated with a microscopic worm that enters and spends the winter in leaf buds. It causes damage to leaf tissue on American beech and European and Asian beech species resulting in darkened, thick tissue bands between leaf veins, creating a striped effect on the leaves, leaf distortion and bud mortality. Michigan is home to about 32 million American beech trees. “Many questions about beech leaf disease remain unanswered,” said Simeon Wright, a DNR forest health specialist.

LANSING, Mich. – Dead spotted lanternfly insects were found in Michigan in recent weeks, according to The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). MDARD is asking freight carriers, warehouse workers and delivery drivers to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly. Officials said there is no evidence of an established population of the spotted lanternfly in Michigan. The spotted lanternfly sucks sap from host plants and secrets large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. People involved in transporting and handling goods or freight should become familiar with identifying spotted lanternfly adults and egg masses.

CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. – An invasive mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) has been found at Albion College’s Whitehouse Nature Center in Calhoun County, officials said. What is mile-a-minute weed? Mile-a-minute weed is an annual vine that can grow up to 6 inches per day, or 25 feet in 6 to 8 weeks. Mile-a-minute weed infestations have been reported in 15 states across the United States. While mine-a-minute weed can be removed by hand, seeds can persist in the soil for up to six years.

A new website can help you identify potentially invasive plants in your backyard in Michigan. Across the eight Great Lakes states and Ontario, 28 woody plant species are regulated as invasive by at least one jurisdiction. Multiflora rose, black locust, Tatarian honeysuckle and glossy buckthorn are just some of the woody invasive species found in Michigan. Now these plants pose a serious threat to natural areas in the Great Lakes region, outcompeting native plants and damaging wildlife habitat. The Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative is one of several regional invasive species initiatives supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

DETROIT Mysterious seeds from China have been arriving in mailboxes around the country. According to Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural development, the seeds have shown up in 30 States so far, including Michigan. Local 4s Paula Tutmans brother, Fred Tutman, has received numerous deliveries of the mysterious seeds. Those little baggies of seeds could be a Pandoras box of problems and could create creating strongholds of invasive plant species and invasive insect species. Reach out to MDARD if you have received unsolicited seeds in the mail.

DETROIT Michigan could soon have a new addition to its invasive species list: spotted lanternfly. To date, spotted lanternfly has not been detected in Michigan, but it has been detected spreading across the nation, including in Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia. Related: Michigan adds invasive marbled crayfish to prohibited species listAdult spotted lanternflies are identifiable by their bright body and wing colors. Spotted lanternfly could negatively impact our grape industry, said Robert Miller, invasive species prevention and response specialist for MDARD. Related: 11 invasive species to watch out for in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. State officials are reminding Michigan residents as the summer camping season begins not to transport or move firewood because doing so can spread invasive species to other locations. Michigans Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says new infestations of invasive pests or diseases pose a serious threat to the states agriculture, forests and the environment. Invasive species can hide in or on firewood. Officials said that infestations of invasive species or diseases can destroy forests, lower property values and be costly to control. READ: DNR: Camping in Michigan state parks, recreation areas will resume June 22