Help Protect Michigan from Invasive Species.
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Invasive species are a growing threat to Michigan’s ecosystems, economy, and way of life. These plants and animals outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause property damage each year. Together, we can reduce their impact!
Why It Matters & What You Can Do
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Damage to Habitat: Invasive species such as Phragmites (Phragmites australis) and invasive honeysuckles like Morrow’s (Lonicera morrowii) and Tartarian (Lonicera tatarica) displace native plants, reducing biodiversity and harming wildlife.
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Economic Costs: Pests like the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) have devastated Michigan’s forests, causing property damage.
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Threat to Agriculture: The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a recent invader, targets crops like grapes, hops, and fruit trees, putting vital industries at risk.
Learn to Identify Invasive Species
Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis): A metallic green beetle that kills ash trees by burrowing under the bark. Look for D-shaped exit holes and thinning tree crowns.
Photo Credit: David Cappaert Bugwood.org
Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula): A striking insect with black spots and red hindwings. The spotted lanternfly was first detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since been recorded in 17 other states.. Found on trees, it secretes sticky honeydew, promoting mold growth. The invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is their preferred host plant.
Photo Credit: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org
Common Reed (also known as Phragmites (Phragmites australis)): Tall grasses with feathery seed heads, forming dense stands in wetlands, which crowd out the native habitat.
Photo Credit Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org
Honeysuckles: Shrubs with fragrant flowers and red, orange, or yellow berries. Common invasive honeysuckles include:
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Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii): Identifiable by white flowers that age to yellow and its aggressive spread in open areas.
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Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica): Features pink to red flowers and thrives in forest edges, fields, and roadsides.
Morrow’s Honeysuckle. Photo Credit: Richard Gardener, Bugwood.org
Tatarian Honeysuckle, Photo Credit: Richard Webb Bugwood org
Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica, Frangula alnus): Shrubs/trees with dark berries that displace native plants and alter soil chemistry.
Glossy Buckthorn. Photo Credit:Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood org
Common buckthorn. Photo Credit: Paul Wray Iowa State University Bugwood org
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata): A biennial plant with heart-shaped leaves, white flowers, and a strong garlic scent when crushed. It forms dense carpets in forests, outcompeting native wildflowers and altering soil fungi essential to native plants.
Photo Credit: Richard Gardener, Bugwood.org
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): A fast-growing tree with smooth, gray bark and large compound leaves. Its unpleasant odor and clusters of winged seeds make it easily recognizable. It produces toxins that inhibit the growth of nearby plants. Tree of Heaven is the preferred host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly.
Photo Credit: Richard Gardener, Bugwood.org
Oak Wilt (Bretziella fagacearum): A fungal disease that spreads through root systems or by sap-feeding beetles. Symptoms include leaf browning, rapid leaf loss, and tree death. Red oaks are especially vulnerable, often dying within weeks.
Photo Credit: Joseph OBrien USDA Forest Service Bugwood.org
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are small freshwater bivalve mollusks native to the lakes and rivers of Eurasia. Known for their distinctive black-and-white striped shells, these invasive species have spread to many parts of the world, where they clog water intake pipes, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and outcompete native species for resources.
Photo Credit: Amy Benson U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood org
Quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) are freshwater bivalve mollusks native to Eastern Europe. They are closely related to zebra mussels but are distinguishable by their more rounded shells and variable coloration. As an invasive species, quagga mussels cause significant ecological and economic harm by colonizing water systems, displacing native species, and disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
Photo Credit: Mike Quigley NOAA Bugwood org.j
Control & Report Invasive Species
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Physical Removal: Some herbaceous plants, such as garlic mustard, can be pulled by hand. Pull garlic mustard before it goes to seed. Be sure to bag and dispose of it as trash to prevent the seeds from spreading. Cut tall or woody invasives, such as Phragmites and buckthorn, close to the ground and before they go to seed. Treat stumps with herbicide to prevent regrowth.
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Chemical Treatments: Apply herbicide to invasive plants to kill the roots so they won’t grow back. Herbicides can be applied to cut stumps or leaves. Follow recommended herbicide rates depending on the management technique and always follow herbicide label instructions. Consult professionals to minimize harm to non-target species.
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Removing Hosts: An effective way of controlling invasive insects is removing their host plants, such as removing Tree of Heaven, to reduce populations of Spotted Lanternfly.
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Report Sightings: Use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) app or contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to report sightings.
Prevent the Spread
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Clean Gear and Equipment: Remove mud, seeds, and plant fragments from boats, hiking boots, and vehicles before moving to a new location. Protect our lakes by stopping the spread of zebra and quagga mussels. Clean, drain, and dry your boat and equipment after being in infested waters.
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Buy Native Plants: Avoid planting invasive ornamentals like honeysuckles in your garden. Instead, choose Michigan-native species to support local ecosystems.
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Don’t Move Firewood: Transporting firewood spreads pests like the emerald ash borer. Buy local firewood and burn it where you purchase it.
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Avoid Pruning Oaks During Risk Periods: To prevent the spread of oak wilt, do not prune oak trees between April and August, when beetles are most active. If pruning is unavoidable, immediately seal cuts with tree wound paint.
Raise Awareness
Share this message with friends and family. Encourage your community to join efforts in protecting Michigan’s natural resources.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
By staying vigilant and taking action, we can preserve Michigan’s beautiful landscapes, protect its wildlife, and reduce economic damage from invasive species. We encourage you to learn more about invasive species, their impact on local ecosystems, and how you can help manage them.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives, where you’ll find resources and tools to join the fight against invasive species. Additionally, the following websites provide valuable insights:
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Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative – woodyinvasives.org
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Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health – www.invasive.org
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Other online resources may also be helpful as you explore this important issue.
Written by Paul Gloor & Peter Blank. April 2025