Current Threats to Forest Health
Current issues in forest health of the greatest concern to the DEM’s Forest Health Program include both exotic/invasives and native insects and diseases. Some pests are of state concern while others are of regional or national concern.
*Click on the Insect Name for more local information (where available).
| Insects | Name*/Details | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Emerald Ash Borer Detection Map Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: All species of Ash |
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Asian Longhorned Beetle Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Maples |
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Winter Moth Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Maples |
USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert" Winter Moth Control Measures |
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European Gypsy Moth Gypsy Moth in Rhode Island Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Oaks, other hardwoods |
USDA APHIS Gypsy Moth Information USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert” USDA Forest Service: “Gypsy Moth in North America" |
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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Status: Exotic Mostly Affects: Hemlock |
USDA Forest Service Hemlock Woolly Adelgid info |
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Southern Pine Beetle Status: Native Mostly Affects: Hard pines (Pitch pine), Others |
USDA Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle |
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Oak Gall Wasps Status: Native Mostly Affects: All Oak |
Gall Wasps – Wikipedia |
| Diseases | Name*/Details | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Beech Bark Disease (Neonectria spp.) Mostly Affects: American Beech | USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert” USDA Invasive Species Information Center |
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Rhyzosphaera needle cast Mostly Affects: Colorado Blue, other Spruces & Firs | UMass Extension: Rhizophaera Needle Cast |
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White Pine Needle Damage Mostly Affects: Eastern White Pine | USDA Forest Service “Pest Alert" |
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White Pine Blister Rust Mostly Affects: Eastern White Pine | USDA Forest Service White Pine Blister Rust USDA Forest Service White Pine Blister Rust General Ecology and Management |
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Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) Mostly Affects: Oaks, Laurels |
USDA APHIS Sudden Oak Death USDA Forest Service "Pest Alert" |