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What is an invasive species?

Invasive species are non-native (alien, exotic or non-indigenous) to Virginia; were bought here, intentionally or accidently, by human action; and cause or are likely to cause ecological and economic harm.

Nationally, invasive species result in an estimated annual cost of $120 billion, and as much as $1 billion annually in Virginia alone. Read more.

What is Virginia doing?

Across the state, numerous actions and efforts have been and are underway to address the threats posed by invasive species. A few examples include:

• the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Forestry and Fairfax County are working to prevent the establishment of the emerald ash borer;
• the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has successfully eradicated the stateМs first and only know population of zebra mussels at Millbrook Quarry;
• the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is working with Chesapeake Bay watermen to remove the rapa whelk from Bay waters;
• the Department of Conservation and Recreation continues to reduce stands of Phragmites from state parks and natural area preserves ;
• and the Virginia Invasive Species Council recently completed a management plan to coordinate state invasive species management actions. The plan was accepted in early 2007 by the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Approval of the plan qualifies the state to receive some limited federal funds to assist with implementing the plan. See approved plans for other states.

Follow links throughout this website to learn more.

What can I do?

You can use this website to:

• Learn about invasive species and their negative impacts to our ecology and economy.
• Educate yourself and friends about how to avoid spreading invasive species.
• Find out what your local, state, and federal governments and others are doing and how you can help.

News & Events

News Highlights

VDACS Issues Beach Vitex Quarantine
Due to concerns about the highly invasive characteristics of beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has issued a quarantine on this species in the cities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and Accomack and Northampton Counties. The quarantine restricts the movement of the plant into or out of the regulated areas. The plant as been sold as a dune stabilizer. However, in North and South Carolinas beach vitex has proved to be a highly aggressive invader and quickly grows beyond its intended setting. It outcompetes native species of dune vegetation, including sea oats and American beach grass. Since first discovered in Virginia 2008 on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Norfolk, it has be found on Assateague Island and in Virginia Beach. The Department of Conservation and Recreation recently placed the species on their list of invasive plant species in Virginia [link: ] and identified it as “highly invasive.”

• VDACS quarantine letter [pdf]
• Read more about beach vitex.

Treekillers May Hitchhike on Your Firewood
Emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and gypsy moth are but a few of the invasive species that kill our native trees by the millions every year. They also may hitch a ride to their next meal in firewood you may be moving with you to your favorite park or campground. For this reason, it is important to get your firewood from sources close to where you will light your next camp fire. To learn more about the threat of exotic pests being moved on firewood, go to Don't Move Firewood.

VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Issues Quarantine over Tidewater to Control Spread of Red Imported Fire Ants
After 10 years of battling red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in southeast Virginia, the Departement of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has issued a permanent quarantine of materials that may transport this aggressive invasive species to other parts of the state. As stated in a press release on August 4, 2009, the quarantine primarily restricts movement of "soil, plants with soil attached, grass sod, used soil-moving equipment, used farm equipment, hay/straw/pine straw, honey bee hives that have been in contact with the ground, and logs, pulp wood or stump wood with soil attached." These materials may be moved within the quarantine area. A certification process has been established and inspected items found to be free of red imported fire ants may be transported out of the quarantine area.

Red imported fire ants are small red or black ants that swarm their prey and have a powerful sting. They were first introduced into the United State in the 1930s and discovered in Virginia in 1989. For more information on the quarantine and the fire ant, see the following pages at the VDACS website:

• Quarantine press release
  
• More about red imported fire ants in Virginia

2009 Invasive Species Bill Passes General Assembly
During its 2009 session, the General Assembly passed legislation that establishes the state's commitment to addressing the invasive species that threaten the Commonwealth through cooperation and coordination of government agencies, the business community, conservation organizations, and public citizens. The legislation directs the Secretaries of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Forestry to "coordinate the development of strategic actions to be taken by the Commonwealth, individual state and federal agencies, private business, and landowners related to invasive species prevention, early detection and rapid response, control and management, research and risk assessment, and education and outreach."

This legislation builds on work achieved through previous legislation and executive directives while not limiting the effort with an expiration date. The new legislation affirms the need for a state invasive species management plan and for that plan to be implemented and routinely updated. The Secretary of Natural Resources serves as chair and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry as vice-chair of an advisory group tasked with development and implementation of the state invasive species plan. Such an effort has already been underway and this new legislation assures the work will continue beyond the current General Assembly and administration.

Read the 2009 Invasive Species amendment to the Code of Virginia (20kb PDF)

Beach Vitex on the Move, Government Agencies Moving on Beach Vitex
New locations of beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) have been discovered in Virginia Beach. Beach vitex invades sand dunes and displaces native vegetation and alters critically important sea turtle nesting areas. Originally introduced for dune stabilization, is has been found to be highly aggressive. It turns out that beach vitex does not provide stabilization. Native dune plants, such as sea oats, have fibrous root systems that hold sand in place. In contrast, beach vitex has a long narrow tap root that anchors the plant but not the sand. Thus, dunes dominated by this species are undercut by wind and wave action. For more information, see this brochure from the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force. (488kb PDF)

In 2007, risk assessment conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Force stated that this species poses a serious threat and could cause environmental and economic harm, but through cooperative efforts beach vitex could be eradicated before it spread throughout its potential habitat.

In June 2009, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Servicies released a letter requesting concerned nursery owners, landscapers, and citizens throughout the Commonwealth to refrain from selling or distributing beach vitex. Read the VDACS letter (712kb PDF).

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Events Highlights

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