There are many invasive species in North America that are not yet established in Oregon but will likely arrive without interventions. Cross-jurisdictional partnerships are foundational to preventing the spread of these species to Oregon that may have devastating impacts to native ecosystems and agriculture alike.Â
Table 2. Examples of species with potential to arrive and become established in Oregon, including anticipated impacts to ecosystems and communities.Â
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Anticipated impacts of future invasion |
|---|---|---|
| Swede midge | Contarinia nasturtii | The swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii) was first detected in the United States in 2004. This species can have devastating impacts on native brassicas (i.e., plants in the mustard family) as well as agriculturally important crops like canola and broccoli. The swede midge attacks the apical meristem of plants, preventing flowering. The spread of the swede midge can result in increased pesticide use and poses a threat to specialized native pollinators of brassicas such as Andrena winnemuccana, a critically imperiled bee.  |
| Rat lungworm | Angiostrongylus spp. | Rat lungworms are nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus, particularly A. cantonensis. These nematodes parasitize mollusks (mostly terrestrial species, but also aquatic) and earthworms, and can infect and harm many vertebrates including mammals, birds, and reptiles. A. cantonensis invades brain tissues of non-rodent vertebrate hosts. It is most likely moving with slugs on live plants. It was first found in Louisiana in the 1980s and has now spread throughout much of the southeastern United States, with cases as far as west Utah and southern California. |
| Lablab bug | Megacopta cribaria | A single specimen of the lablab bug (Megacopta cribraria), also known as bean plataspid or kudzu bug, was found in Oregon in 2024. This pest of legumes was first found in Georgia in 2009 and has since spread throughout the southeastern US. If established, this species will have impacts to native ecosystems by causing increased pesticide use, and may also harm native legumes, which, in turn can harm native specialists such as the bee Calliopsis barri. |
| Longhorned tick | Haemaphysalis longicornis | The longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is a tick native to Asia first found in the United States in 2017. It has spread quickly and is now as far west as Missouri. It attacks both mammal and bird species, and populations of this tick can become very large. In addition, the longhorned tick can transmit several diseases to humans, wildlife, and livestock. The longhorned tick was found to be spreading a novel disease to North America, theileria, to cattle in Virginia in 2021. |