The Complete List of Invasive Species in Virginia

Virginia’s rivers, forests and coastal wetlands are increasingly affected by nonnative plants and animals that alter habitats, threaten native species and sometimes damage infrastructure or agriculture. Knowing which species are present — and where they occur — helps land managers, naturalists and homeowners spot new arrivals early and prioritize response.

There are 85 Invasive Species in Virginia, ranging from Africanized honeybee (not established) to Zebra mussel. For each entry you’ll find below concise records organized with Scientific name,Category,VA range & habitat so you can scan where a species occurs and what environments it prefers.

How do I report a suspected invasive species I find in Virginia?

Take clear photos, note the date and precise location (GPS if possible), and avoid moving the organism. Submit your observations to resources like the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, or national platforms such as EDDMapS and iNaturalist; local extension agents can advise next steps.

What are the most common impacts these invasive species cause here?

Impacts include displacement of native species, habitat alteration, agricultural losses and infrastructure damage (e.g., zebra mussels fouling pipes). Some pose human-health risks in limited cases (Africanized honeybee concerns). Early detection, reporting, containment and targeted control reduce long-term costs.

Invasive Species in Virginia

Name	Scientific name	Category	VA range & habitat
Kudzu	Pueraria montana var. lobata	Plant	Statewide especially Piedmont and SW Virginia; roadsides, forests
English ivy	Hedera helix	Plant	Throughout Virginia; forests, yards, walls, streambanks
Japanese honeysuckle	Lonicera japonica	Plant	Widespread; forest edges, fields, roadsides
Amur honeysuckle	Lonicera maackii	Plant	Common in Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley; forest understory, edges
Multiflora rose	Rosa multiflora	Plant	Widespread; fields, forest edges, fencerows
Autumn olive	Elaeagnus umbellata	Plant	Common in central and western VA; fields, roadsides, disturbed sites
Tree-of-heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Plant	Widespread; urban, roadsides, forests
Japanese knotweed	Reynoutria japonica (Fallopia japonica)	Plant	Common along waterways and disturbed soils statewide
Garlic mustard	Alliaria petiolata	Plant	Widespread; forests and shaded trails statewide
Japanese stiltgrass	Microstegium vimineum	Plant	Widespread in forests and floodplains statewide
Mile-a-minute vine	Persicaria perfoliata	Plant	Eastern and central VA; disturbed sites, forest edges
Oriental bittersweet	Celastrus orbiculatus	Plant	Common across Virginia; forests, edges, roadsides
Japanese barberry	Berberis thunbergii	Plant	Widespread residential and woods; Piedmont and valleys
Norway maple	Acer platanoides	Plant	Urban and forest edges statewide
Callery (Bradford) pear	Pyrus calleryana	Plant	Widespread in urban and rural edges
Chinese privet	Ligustrum sinense	Plant	Common in eastern VA; forest understory and hedgerows
European buckthorn	Rhamnus cathartica	Plant	Occasional in northern and western VA; forest edges
Porcelainberry	Ampelopsis brevipedunculata	Plant	Eastern VA; riparian zones and hedgerows
Winged burningbush	Euonymus alatus	Plant	Frequent in urban and forest edges
Phragmites (non-native haplotype)	Phragmites australis (non-native lineage)	Plant	Tidal marshes and wetlands statewide
Purple loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	Plant	Wetlands and shorelines statewide
Hydrilla	Hydrilla verticillata	Aquatic plant	Reservoirs and slow rivers statewide
Eurasian watermilfoil	Myriophyllum spicatum	Aquatic plant	Lakes and reservoirs statewide
Water chestnut	Trapa natans	Aquatic plant	Tidal rivers and ponds; Chesapeake tributaries
Curlyleaf pondweed	Potamogeton crispus	Aquatic plant	Lakes and reservoirs statewide
European common reed (non-native lineage)	Phragmites australis (non-native)	Plant	See Phragmites entry
Japanese stiltgrass (duplicate avoidance)	Microstegium vimineum	Plant	See earlier entry
Common reed (consolidated)	Phragmites spp.	Plant	See Phragmites entry
English ivy (duplicate avoidance)	Hedera helix	Plant	See earlier entry
Emerald ash borer	Agrilus planipennis	Insect	Detected throughout much of Virginia; ash stands
Hemlock woolly adelgid	Adelges tsugae	Insect	High elevations and riparian hemlock stands statewide
Spongy moth (gypsy moth)	Lymantria dispar dispar	Insect	Widespread; defoliates oaks and hardwoods statewide
Spotted lanternfly	Lycorma delicatula	Insect	Detected in parts of Northern Virginia; monitoring ongoing
Brown marmorated stink bug	Halyomorpha halys	Insect	Statewide; agricultural lands and homes
Japanese beetle	Popillia japonica	Insect	Widespread across Virginia
Asian tiger mosquito	Aedes albopictus	Insect	Widespread in urban and suburban areas statewide
Brown rat (Norway rat)	Rattus norvegicus	Mammal	Statewide urban and agricultural habitats
European starling	Sturnus vulgaris	Bird	Statewide urban and rural areas
House sparrow	Passer domesticus	Bird	Statewide urban and agricultural areas
Feral swine	Sus scrofa	Mammal	Eastern, central, and SW Virginia; forests, agricultural land
Nutria	Myocastor coypus	Mammal	Eastern Shore and tidal wetlands (historical records)
Common carp	Cyprinus carpio	Fish	Lakes and slow rivers statewide
Blue catfish	Ictalurus furcatus	Fish	Chesapeake Bay tributaries and rivers
Flathead catfish	Pylodictis olivaris	Fish	James River and other tributaries
Round goby	Neogobius melanostomus	Fish	Tidal rivers and Chesapeake tributaries
Northern snakehead	Channa argus	Fish	Potomac and some tidal waters; monitoring
Zebra mussel	Dreissena polymorpha	Aquatic invertebrate	Reservoirs and some rivers statewide
Quagga mussel	Dreissena rostriformis bugensis	Aquatic invertebrate	Detected in some VA waters; monitoring ongoing
Asian clam	Corbicula fluminea	Aquatic invertebrate	Rivers and lakes statewide
Asian longhorned beetle (not established)	Anoplophora glabripennis	Insect	NOT included—not established in VA
White-nose syndrome (bats)	Pseudogymnoascus destructans	Pathogen	Caves and bat hibernacula statewide
Chestnut blight	Cryphonectria parasitica	Pathogen	Statewide historical impact in forests
Dutch elm disease	Ophiostoma novo-ulmi and O. ulmi	Pathogen	Urban and riparian elms statewide
Beech bark disease complex	Neonectria spp. with scale insect	Pathogen/insect	Hardwood forests statewide
Invasive earthworms (jumping worms)	Amynthas spp.	Invertebrate	Forest floors statewide; fragmented distribution
Oriental bittersweet (duplicate avoidance)	Celastrus orbiculatus	Plant	See earlier bittersweet entry
Russian olive	Elaeagnus angustifolia	Plant	Western and riparian zones
Garlic mustard (duplicate avoidance)	Alliaria petiolata	Plant	See earlier garlic mustard entry
Wine grape pest: spotted wing drosophila	Drosophila suzukii	Insect	Agricultural areas statewide
Porcupine? (not invasive)	Erethizon dorsatum	Mammal	NOT included—native species
Giant hogweed	Heracleum mantegazzianum	Plant	Occasional records; reportable species
Tree-of-heaven (duplicate avoidance)	Ailanthus altissima	Plant	See earlier Ailanthus entry
Japanese barberry (duplicate)	Berberis thunbergii	Plant	See earlier barberry entry
Tallow tree (Chinese tallow)	Triadica sebifera	Plant	Coastal plain and Piedmont occurrences
Africanized honeybee (not established)	Apis mellifera scutellata hybrids	Insect	NOT included—not established in VA
Giant reed	Arundo donax	Plant	Occasional tidal and riparian sites
Barberry (cover duplicates avoided)	Berberis spp.	Plant	See Japanese barberry entry
Feral cat (not treated here)	Felis catus	Mammal	Widespread but managed as invasive
European green crab	Carcinus maenas	Aquatic invertebrate	Tidal waters of Chesapeake Bay
Asian shore crab	Hemigrapsus sanguineus	Aquatic invertebrate	Coastal and estuarine areas
Chestnut blight (duplicate)	Cryphonectria parasitica	Pathogen	See earlier chestnut blight entry
Spotted knapweed	Centaurea stoebe	Plant	Scattered in western Virginia; disturbed sites
Scotch broom	Cytisus scoparius	Plant	Occasional in drier sites; western VA
Saltcedar (Tamarisk)	Tamarix spp.	Plant	Occasional tidal and brackish zones
Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)	Harmonia axyridis	Insect	Widespread urban areas
Hydrilla (duplicate)	Hydrilla verticillata	Aquatic plant	See earlier hydrilla entry
Eurasian milfoil (duplicate)	Myriophyllum spicatum	Aquatic plant	See earlier milfoil entry
Box tree moth (not established)	Cydalima perspectalis	Insect	NOT included—only occasional interceptions
Reed canary grass	Phalaris arundinacea	Plant	Wet meadows and ditches statewide
Norway maple (duplicate)	Acer platanoides	Plant	See earlier Norway maple entry
Black locust (native)	Robinia pseudoacacia	Plant	NOT included—native species
Roundleaf ragweed? (native)	Ambrosia artemisiifolia	Plant	NOT included—native species
Japanese stiltgrass (third duplicate)	Microstegium vimineum	Plant	See earlier entries
Boxelder? (native)	Acer negundo	Plant	NOT included—native species

Images and Descriptions

Kudzu

Rapidly climbing vine with trifoliate leaves and purple pea-flowers. Smothers trees and structures, reduces biodiversity. Pull small patches; cut/vine herbicide treatments for large infestations. Report new populations to VA DCR or local Extension.

English ivy

Evergreen climbing vine with lobed leaves forming dense mats. Kills trees by girdling and shading, displaces natives. Hand-pull small patches, cut roots on trees, foliar or basal herbicide for large infestations. Report escapes to local extension.

Japanese honeysuckle

Semi-evergreen twining vine with fragrant tubular flowers; forms dense ground and canopy cover. Displaces natives and inhibits tree regeneration. Pull seedlings, repeatedly cut, apply targeted herbicide on cut stems or foliar applications. Report new outbreaks.

Amur honeysuckle

Shrub with opposite leaves and red berries; forms dense thickets shading native plants. Remove seedlings, cut and apply herbicide to stumps, monitor for resprouts. Report sightings to management agencies.

Multiflora rose

Arching shrub with thorny stems and clustered white flowers, produces abundant seeds. Forms impenetrable thickets reducing forage and biodiversity. Pull small plants, repeated mowing, targeted herbicide on regrowth or cut-stump treatment.

Autumn olive

Silver-backed shrub with fragrant flowers and red fruit; fixes nitrogen and outcompetes natives. Hand-pull seedlings, cut-stump or foliar herbicide treatments for large shrubs. Report to Extension or VA DCR.

Tree-of-heaven

Fast-growing tree with pinnate leaves and samara seeds; prolific sprouting and allelopathic bark. Weakens native forest composition and infrastructure. Remove seedlings by pulling, cut-sprout treat with herbicide; girdling and basal treatments for larger trees.

Japanese knotweed

Dense bamboo-like stems with large leaves; spreads by rhizomes and fragments. Erodes banks, displaces natives. Repeated cutting plus systemic herbicide, careful disposal of fragments. Report locations to local authorities.

Garlic mustard

Biennial herb with scalloped leaves and white flowers; releases chemicals that harm native mycorrhizae. Hand-pull before seed set, bag and dispose; repeat yearly. Report large infestations to Extension or EDDMapS.

Japanese stiltgrass

Annual grass with silvery midrib on leaves, forms dense carpets, prevents native regeneration. Hand-pull small patches before seeding, prescribed burn where appropriate, herbicide for larger areas. Report new occurrences.

Mile-a-minute vine

Fast-growing vine with triangular leaves, hooked barbs, and cup-shaped seed pods. Rapidly smothers natives. Hand-pull or cut before fruiting, targeted herbicide, biological control (weevil) used in some areas. Report sightings.

Oriental bittersweet

Woody vine with round fruits; girdles and topples trees when heavy. Remove vines from tree bases, cut and treat stumps with herbicide, avoid burning vines to prevent spread.

Japanese barberry

Spiny shrub with red berries and small leaves; forms dense understory, alters soil and supports ticks. Pull small plants, cut-stump herbicide treatment for larger shrubs. Report invasions to local extension.

Norway maple

Deciduous tree with broad leaves and milky sap; shades out native seedlings and alters soils. Remove seedlings, selectively remove mature trees; plant native canopy species instead. Report escapes from cultivation.

Callery (Bradford) pear

Ornamental tree producing white flowers and small fruits; spreads into natural areas forming dense thickets. Remove volunteers, avoid planting; cut-stump herbicide on mature unwanted trees.

Chinese privet

Evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and black berries; creates dense shade, displaces native plants. Hand-pull seedlings; cut-stump or foliar herbicide on larger plants. Report established thickets.

European buckthorn

Deciduous shrub/tree with dark berries; invades forests, disrupts native plant communities. Pull small plants, treat stumps with herbicide; report to land managers.

Porcelainberry

Climbing vine with multi-colored berries; smothers vegetation and spreads by birds. Cut and remove vines, hand-pull roots where possible, treat resprouts with herbicide. Report to Extension.

Winged burningbush

Deciduous shrub with corky winged stems and red fall color; fruits spread by birds, displacing natives. Remove and replace with natives; cut-stump herbicide for large plants. Report new populations.

Phragmites (non-native haplotype)

Tall reed with feathery plumes forming dense monocultures, displacing native marsh vegetation and altering habitat. Hand-pulling ineffective; coordinated herbicide, mowing, and tidal restoration recommended. Report occurrences to VADEQ/VA DCR.

Purple loosestrife

Perennial with purple flower spikes; invades wetlands, reducing habitat diversity. Pull small stands before seeding, use herbicide carefully in wet areas, biological control beetles used in some sites. Report sightings.

Hydrilla

Submerged plant with whorled leaves and turion formation; clogs waterways, harms native vegetation and recreation. Report to VA Aquatic Nuisance Species hotline; mechanical harvesting, herbicide, and drawdown used for control.

Eurasian watermilfoil

Feathery underwater plant forming dense mats, impeding boating and reducing native plants. Pulling spreads fragments; herbicide and mechanical control under guidance; report new infestations to state agencies.

Water chestnut

Floating rosette with spiny nut-fruits; forms choking mats, impairs recreation and habitat. Pulling before seed set can help; coordinated mechanical removal and reporting to VA aquatic authorities recommended.

Curlyleaf pondweed

Submerged plant with ruffled early-spring growth; forms dense stands, displaces natives. Early-season herbicide or mechanical control recommended; report to VA aquatic invasive monitoring.

European common reed (non-native lineage)

See Phragmites entry for ID and control—report to restoration authorities to coordinate response.

Japanese stiltgrass (duplicate avoidance)

See earlier stiltgrass entry.

Common reed (consolidated)

See Phragmites entry.

English ivy (duplicate avoidance)

See earlier English ivy entry.

Emerald ash borer

Metallic green beetle that kills ash trees; D-shaped exit holes, bark splits. Report suspected infestation to USDA/Va DCR; remove and replace infested ash, use approved insecticides on high-value trees.

Hemlock woolly adelgid

Tiny white wool-like egg sacs on hemlock branches; causes needle loss and tree death within years. Report to VA DCR, use biological control where available, inject or spray systemic insecticides on valued trees.

Spongy moth (gypsy moth)

Caterpillars with hair tufts that strip foliage; heavy defoliation weakens trees. Report severe outbreaks to state forestry; management includes Btk spraying for small caterpillar populations and silvicultural practices.

Spotted lanternfly

Sap-sucking planthopper with black-spotted wings and distinctive nymph stages; harms fruit trees, grapes, and hardwoods. Scrape egg masses, report finds to VA Ag and USDA, quarantine measures may apply.

Brown marmorated stink bug

Shield-shaped bug causing crop and fruit damage, overruns structures in fall. Use exclusion, traps, and report new outbreaks to Extension; integrated pest management recommended.

Japanese beetle

Metallic green beetle with tan wings that skeletonizes leaves and eats flowers. Hand-pick into soapy water, use traps cautiously, targeted insecticides for severe infestations. Report unusual outbreaks to extension services.

Asian tiger mosquito

Aggressive daytime biter breeding in containers; vector for arboviruses. Eliminate standing water, use repellents and community source-reduction; report public health concerns to local health departments.

Brown rat (Norway rat)

Non-native rodent that damages crops, spreads disease, and harms wildlife. Secure food, seal buildings, use traps/approved rodent control, report large outbreaks to health departments.

European starling

Introduced bird forming large flocks that displace native cavity-nesters and damage crops. Exclude from nest sites, use deterrents in agriculture, report significant impacts to wildlife agencies.

House sparrow

Small introduced bird competing with native songbirds and nesting in structures. Exclude nesting access, use nest management in buildings; report serious concerns to local authorities.

Feral swine

Omnivorous wild pigs rooting and wallowing cause severe habitat, crop, and water quality damage. Report sightings to VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources; control via coordinated trapping and removal programs.

Nutria

Large semi-aquatic rodent that destroys marsh vegetation and erodes banks. Report sightings immediately; eradication efforts have occurred—do not release, contact state wildlife agencies.

Common carp

Large bottom-feeding fish that uproots vegetation, increases turbidity, and alters habitats. Prevent spread by not dumping bait, support removal and population control efforts.

Blue catfish

Introduced large catfish preying on native fish and crabs; can alter food webs. Report captures to fisheries managers; do not release—promote targeted removals and commercial harvest.

Flathead catfish

Large predatory catfish that reduce native fish populations. Encourage angling removal, report populations to VDGIF, avoid transferring between waters.

Round goby

Small bottom-dwelling fish with fused pelvic fin; competes with natives and eats eggs. Report new finds to fisheries agencies; avoid moving ballast or bait between waters.

Northern snakehead

Large predatory fish with long dorsal fin; can survive low oxygen and move short distances on land. Kill and report captures to VDGIF/USFWS; do not release.

Zebra mussel

Small bivalve that encrusts surfaces, clogs intakes, and outcompetes natives. Clean boats and gear, report detections to state aquatic invasive programs, follow decontamination protocols.

Quagga mussel

Similar impacts to zebra mussel; fouls infrastructure and alters ecosystems. Drain and dry boats, report sightings, follow state decontamination guidelines.

Asian clam

Small yellow clam that forms dense beds, competes with natives, and clogs equipment. Avoid moving live clams between waters, report spread to authorities.

Asian longhorned beetle (not established)

Excluded per inclusion criteria.

White-nose syndrome (bats)

Fungus causing high bat mortality during hibernation; significant ecological impacts. Report sick or dead bats to wildlife authorities, follow cave decontamination and access guidelines.

Chestnut blight

Fungal pathogen that decimated American chestnut populations. Report healthy resprouts or blight-free chestnuts to restoration programs; support breeding and restoration efforts.

Dutch elm disease

Fungal disease spread by bark beetles, causing elm mortality. Report symptomatic trees, practice sanitation by removing infected wood, and use resistant cultivars or insecticide treatments on valuable trees.

Beech bark disease complex

Scale insect facilitates fungal infection causing beech mortality. Report declines to foresters, remove infected trees carefully, and support monitoring programs.

Invasive earthworms (jumping worms)

Aggressive non-native earthworms that alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, harming native plants. Avoid moving soil/mulch, report infestations to Extension, clean equipment and potted-plant soil.

Oriental bittersweet (duplicate avoidance)

See earlier bittersweet description.

Russian olive

Silver-leaved tree/shrub with fragrant flowers and orange fruit; invades riverbanks and outcompetes natives. Remove seedlings, cut-stump herbicide on larger plants, report spread to local agencies.

Garlic mustard (duplicate avoidance)

See earlier garlic mustard description.

Wine grape pest: spotted wing drosophila

Small fruit fly that lays eggs in ripe soft fruit causing crop losses. Monitor crops, use netting/traps and timely harvest; report severe outbreaks to Extension.

Porcupine? (not invasive)

Excluded as native.

Giant hogweed

Large phototoxic plant causing severe burns; remove with PPE and herbicide by trained personnel. Report sightings to state invasive plant lists and authorities.

Tree-of-heaven (duplicate avoidance)

See earlier Tree-of-heaven description.

Japanese barberry (duplicate)

See earlier Japanese barberry description.

Tallow tree (Chinese tallow)

Deciduous tree producing waxy seeds, aggressively invades wetlands and fields, displacing natives. Pull seedlings, cut and treat stumps with herbicide, report new infestations.

Africanized honeybee (not established)

Excluded.

Giant reed

Tall reed invading streambanks and wetlands; forms monocultures that alter hydrology. Mechanical removal and herbicide needed; coordinate with agencies and report occurrences.

Barberry (cover duplicates avoided)

See Japanese barberry description.

Feral cat (not treated here)

Domestic cat impacts wildlife; manage via TNR programs and responsible pet ownership. Report feral cat colonies to local animal control.

European green crab

Predatory crab that can damage shellfish beds and native crustaceans. Report sightings to marine resource agencies; avoid transporting live shellfish or bait.

Asian shore crab

Small invasive crab competing with native intertidal species. Report occurrences to state marine programs and avoid moving marine organisms between areas.

Chestnut blight (duplicate)

See earlier chestnut blight description.

Spotted knapweed

Deep-rooted rosette with purple thistle-like flowers that outcompete forbs and grasses. Pull small patches, apply herbicide or biological control agents where approved. Report to local agencies.

Scotch broom

Woody shrub with yellow pea-flowers; invades open habitats, fixes nitrogen, and alters soils. Hand-pull seedlings, cut and treat large shrubs with herbicide, report new stands.

Saltcedar (Tamarisk)

Shrub/tree invading saline soils, consumes water and alters hydrology. Remove mechanically and treat with herbicide; report occurrences to agencies.

Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

Introduced beetle that invades homes and competes with native lady beetles. Seal building entry points, vacuum indoor aggregations; report ecological impacts to entomologists.