July Invasive Species News

A New Exotic Pest in NY: The Elm Zigzag Sawfly

The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is an insect that only eats elm leaves and can cause severe defoliation (leaf loss) that threatens tree health. They get their name from the easily recognizable “zigzag” feeding pattern larvae create as they chew through leaves. However, when most of the tree's leaves have been eaten, the zigzag pattern may not always be as clear because larvae will eat all the leaf tissue down to the vein.

Photo credit: Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org

If you see the zigzag pattern or suspicious defoliation of elm trees, please report it on the iMapInvasives website, or email photos to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.

To learn more about the elm zigzag sawfly, visit the St. Lawrence Lake Ontario for Regional Invasive Species Management website.

Thank You for Participating in NYISAW!

The 2023 New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), held June 5th-11th, was a great success! Over 75 events were held, spanning every region of New York State. NYS Agencies, PRISM partners, and local organizations held over 15 guided hikes and paddles, 15 educational webinars, 19 invasive species removal efforts, and more!

The introduction, spread, and management of invasive species is heavily influenced by the people who live, work, and recreate on the lands and waterways of New York. Increasing awareness and knowledge of the impacts of invasive species and how to prevent their spread is incredibly important to effectively manage exotic pests.

Join the 8th Annual Invasive Species Mapping Challenge!

Through the month of July, the NY Natural Heritage Program is hosting the 8th Annual Invasive Species Mapping Challenge. Volunteers and professionals are joining forces to gather data on invasive species, providing conservation managers with the information they need to protect our natural resources. This year, the target species are Beech Leaf Disease, tree-of-heaven, jumping worm, and three aquatic invasive plants – water chestnut, European frogbit, and watercress.

We challenge you to get outside, check for one or more of our target species, and report your findings to NY iMapInvasives. For each species, the iMap user who surveys the most sites wins a prize from the DEC, and the top reporting PRISM earns a trophy!

Visit the NY iMapInvasives website to learn more about the challenge and meet this year’s target species.